Jamestown, Michigan is an unincorporated community in upper-central Jamestown Charter Township, in southeast Ottawa County.
As an unincorporated community, Jamestown does not have defined boundaries. Its post office is situated near the intersection of 24th Avenue and Riley Street, but this is at the southern part of what is commonly considered to be Jamestown. Except for a new development bounded by Cobblestone Lane to the west, and Stonewood Lane to the east, most of the community is north of Riley Street, bordered by 32nd Avenue on the west, I-196 on the north, and 22nd Avenue on the east, although another noncontiguous section to the east is also considered to be Jamestown. This section is roughly bounded by the Paul B. Henry Freeway (M-6) to the west and south, Kenowa Avenue on the east, and Jackson Street on the north.
Incorporated cities and villages within twenty miles of Jamestown include Hudsonville, Grandville, Zeeland, Wyoming, Holland, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, Walker, and East Grand Rapids, while the unincorporated communities of Gitchel, Forest Grove, North Byron, Vriesland, North Dorr, Drenthe, and Bauer are within ten miles.
The East Branch of Rush Creek flows through both sections of the community, and the main part of the creek flows through the northeastern portion.
As an unincorporated community, Jamestown's history is inseparable from that of the township. The town was named for the township, and the township got its name from the fact that, of the first twelve officials appointed to serve the township, one-third of them were named James. James Skeels was elected township supervisor, James M. Brown was the town clerk, James M. Cronkright, Jr. was treasurer, and James Cronkright, Sr. was a justice. Other members of the township's first board were George Donnelly (justice), Charles Richardson (justice), Nathan Richardson (justice, school inspector), Squire L. Tichel (commissioner), David Richardson (commissioner, constable), Andrew Friz, Sr. (commissioner), Andrew Friz, Jr. (inspector of schools, constable), and Augustus Donnelly (constable).
The township was surveyed in 1831, but the first permanent settlers didn't come until 1844. James Cronkright came from Vermont with his wife Lucretia, whose maiden name was Cook. They cleared land, and built the first home in the township that year.
Several others came in the 1850s, and a post office was established on July 29, 1857, with Squire L. Tichel as postmaster. Mr. Tichel was a brother-in-law of James M. Brown.
The focus of this category is on the community of Jamestown, Michigan. As the Jamestown post office is located in the southern portion of the community, a large part of the area commonly referred to as Jamestown is served by the Hudsonville post office, while the Jamestown post office serves other portions of the township.
Businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events within the community, or the area served by the Jamestown post office, are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Serving Jamestown, Hudsonville, Zeeland, and Byron Center, Michigan since 1925, the company offers 24-hour towing services, as well as auto repair services, auto diagnostics, auto maintenance, and used car inspections, basic safety inspections, and comprehensive safety inspections. The company also sells and mounts new tires, offers flat tire repair services, and tire rotations. Information about its Car Care Club is included, as well as special offers, loaners, and car repair estimates.
https://jamestownauto.com/
The congregation meets at its facilities on Quincy Street on Sunday mornings and evenings, and at other times in accordance with posted schedules and a calendar of events. A statement of faith, its core values are posted, and the pastoral staff are introduced. Its ministries to adults, students, and children are outlined, with an overview of its worship patterns. Sermon archives are available for downloading, and DVDs may be requested. Links to other online Christian resources are provided.
http://jamestownbaptist.org/
Jamestown Christian Reformed Church
Affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church of North America, JCRC offers a blended worship service on Sundays, with both contemporary songs and hymns, using a variety of instruments, and its messages are Biblically-based and intended to be understandable. Service schedules and a calendar of events are posted, and its ministries to children, youth, adults, and the community are highlighted. Staff introductions and contacts are included.
http://www.jamestowncrc.org/
Formed as the Second Reformed Church of Jamestown, Michigan in 1889, the congregation is a member of the Zeeland Classis, and belongs to the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes, of the Reformed Church in America. Its location, phone number, office hours, and email address are set forth, along with its worship schedules, ministries, and a calendar of events. Other resources include the history of the church, a statement of beliefs, staff introductions, and downloadable registration forms.
http://jamestownrc.org/
Situated on Riley Street, between Lotus Street and 24th Avenue, the library is open every day but Sunday. A map shows its location, and its hours of operation are published on the site. Policy information and information on its Teen Room, Community Room, and Lakeland Library Cooperative are provided, along with programs for children and adults, a calendar of events, news, and announcements. Online forms are available for contacts, card requests, purchase suggestions, and its kid's mailing list.
http://www.patmoslibrary.org/
