The City of Greenville, Michigan is in southern Montcalm County, about thirty miles northeast of Grand Rapids.
Greenville is surrounded by Eureka Township, except for one small portion that borders Montcalm Township in the north, just below Churchill Lake. The Flat River flows through the center of the city. Baldwin Lake, Como Lake, Manoka Lake, and Sanderson Lake are partially or entirely within the city limits. The city also contains several unnamed ponds, a peat bog, and seasonal wetlands.
The chief routes through the city are M-57 (Washington Street) and M-91 (Lafayette Street). State Highway M-57 runs east-west through the center of the city, connecting Greenville to three major interstate freeways and several other towns, while State Highway M-91 is a north-south highway intersecting M-57 in the center of the city, and connects Greenville with three other state highways and other towns in the region. Other routes leading to and from Greenville include Backus Road, Carson City Road, County Farm Road, Greenville Road, and Youngman Road.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Greenville include Belding, Sheridan, Stanton, Cedar Springs, Lakeview, Rockford, and Carson City.
Like many Michigan towns, Greenville began as a lumber town. In 1844, John Green built a sawmill on a bend on the Flat River, and moved his family into a cabin nearby. As others came, it wasn't long before there were several sawmills in John Green's Village, along with shingle mills, stores, hotels, churches, and families.
On January 20, 1848, a post office was established, and named Greenville. Abel French was named postmaster. John Green platted the village in 1853, and Greenville became an incorporated village in 1867. That same year, additional plats were laid out and added to the village.
The Detroit, Grand Rapids & Western Railroad came through around 1870. The DGR&W Railroad became the Pere Marquette Railroad, and the north-south Pere Marquette track from Elmdale to Saginaw crossed the east-west Grand Trunk Western track between Ashley and Muskegon at Greenville, while another Pere Marquette branch line from Greenville to Howard City began in Greenville.
The village became an important railroad junction, and Greenville was incorporated as a city in 1871.
As the white pine in the area became depleted, fields were cleared of the pine stumps and potatoes became a significant crop in the area surrounding Greenville, while marketing and manufacturing became important segments of Greenville's economy. While several other Michigan towns were devastated, and even abandoned, after the decline of the forest products industry, Greenville continued to grow.
Since Greenville first appeared on a census report in 1860, it has only exhibited two decades of decline, and they were declines of less than three percent. Its population in 2010 was 8,481.
Registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, the Greenville Downtown Historic District includes sixty buildings dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the oldest constructed in 1869. The majority of the buildings in the district are commercial, but it also includes churches, a hotel, and houses.
The Fred Meijer River Trail is a 6.5-mile paved path that includes bridges and boardwalks. The trail connects two mountain bike trails and five major parks in Greenville. A tunnel runs under M-57, connecting the trail to the rest of the path. A museum highlighting the history of the city is located along the trail, and another three miles can be added by circling Baldwin Lake, which includes a public beach. The trail winds along the Flat River, and runs past parks, downtown shopping venues, historic sites, and public school facilities.
The focal point of this category is Greenville, Michigan. Appropriate topics for this category include online resources representing the city itself, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities within the city.
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Recommended Resources
Fighting Falcon Military Museum
Showcasing the people, machines, and history of the United States military, its wars, and its conflicts, the Greenville, Michigan museum tells the stories of local men and women, as well as displaying the uniforms, weapons, and equipment from all theaters of US conflict, including a replica of the CG-4A glider, The Fighting Falcon, which was expected for always soar high in the sky. The history of the museum is displayed, and many of its displays are highlighted. Its hours are posted.
https://www.thefightingfalcon.com/
The museum sites where John Green, founder of Greenville, Michigan, first settled in 1844. A stable was built for the horses that hauled lumber from nearby sawmills, and the foundation of this barn is now the lower level of the museum. After a 1904 fire, the barn was rebuilt by James T. Ridley, and that is the building that now houses the museum. Its location, history, gardens, and exhibits are highlighted, a schedule of events is posted, and contributions may be made online.
https://flatrivermuseum.org/
Greenville Area Recreation & Community Center
The Greenville, Michigan municipal facility offers a variety of programs for children and adults, including several arts and culture programs and activities, including theater and dance. Adult and youth athletics programs are available, including annual competitions, and other community activities and events are held at the center. Registration and tickets may be purchased, and a schedule of programs and events, facility or boat rental fees, league schedules, and sponsorships are included.
https://gvcomrec.com/
Greenville Youth Softball/Baseball League
The non-profit organization facilitates softball and baseball training and competition for the youth of Greenville, Michigan. Its board is identified, and policies and resources for coaches, managers, and other volunteers are put forth, along with a photo gallery, umpire responsibilities, age groups, and parent resources. Current sponsors are acknowledged, sponsor levels are discussed, and a sponsorship brochure can be downloaded. Game locations are presented.
https://www.gysbl.com/
Situated in southern Montcalm County, in the central Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the city was incorporated in 1871. The official municipal website features a local business directory, a calendar of events, and a guide to city programs and services, city maps, parks, trails, churches, schools, medical facilities, housing, and utility companies. A resident handbook is available in PDF format. City council meeting agendas and minutes, employment opportunities, and contacts are included.
https://greenvillemi.org/
