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Hart, Michigan is the only city in Oceana County, and its county seat. It is in the central-western part of the Lower Peninsula.

Incorporated villages within the county include Shelby, Pentwater, New Era, Walkerville, Rothberry, and Hesperia.

The city's downtown district begins just south of Hart Lake, along Main Street, and continues for a few blocks south along State Street. The historic downtown district is compact and largely pedestrian-oriented, although people do access its commercial areas by bicycle and car. Some of its brick storefronts date back to the 1800s, while others are from the early 1900s.

The downtown district is flanked by traditional urban neighborhoods that are primarily single-family residential buildings, although attached single-family housing and apartment buildings are present, with some scattered stores, schools, and churches.

Hart's industrial areas are in the south and southeast, and includes manufacturing, processing, assembly, warehousing, and contractor's offices. Buildings in this area are on large lots, and are auto-oriented.

Situated along South State Street, in the southern part of the city, its community corridor is primarily commercial in nature, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores, and other businesses. While within walking distance of many residents of the city, this area is auto-oriented.

The city's regional corridors are mostly in the southwestern part of the city, near US-31 and West Polk Road, although a small section is along North Oceana Drive, below Chippewa Creek. Also auto-oriented, these areas are on a larger scale than the community corridor area, serving as a regional destination for goods and services, as well as lodging for travelers.

Hart Lake is a 240-acre impoundment of the Pentwater River, the result of a hydroelectric dam that generates electricity for area businesses and restaurants. The lake forms much of the northern boundary of the city, although a portion of the city extends north of the lake along North State Street. Russell Creek and Chippewa Creek flow through the city.

The city is bisected by the US Bicycle Route 335, a 500-mile route that runs from Indiana through Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. The trail mostly follows the shore of Lake Michigan, and through the eastern Upper Peninsula. Within the city limits, the trail is an off-road multi-use trail known as the Hart-Montague Trail, while north of Wood Street, Route 35 continues north as an on-road bicycle route designation.

Along with the Oceana County offices, the city is home to a Michigan State Police Post.

The first European-American settler in the area that was to become Hart was Nelson Glover, who made his home there in 1856. The city was named for Hart Township, which surrounds the city, and was itself named for Wellington Hart, an early pioneer. In 1862, Lyman Corbin built a sawmill, and then the first grist mill in the county. The town was formed around these enterprises. Platted in 1864, Hart was designated as the county seat on January 2, 1865. Mr. Corbin built the first county buildings. A post office was established on February 6, 1865, with William M. Leach as the first postmaster. Hart was incorporated as a village in 1885, and as a city in 1946.

The focus of this category is on the City of Hart, Michigan. Appropriate topics include online resources for the city itself, as well as for any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events within the city.

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