The Lake County village of Luther, Michigan spans Newkirk Township on the west, and Ellsworth Township on the east.
The chief routes through the village are Old M-63, North State Road, and East 3 1/2 Mile Road, which intersect in the center of town. East Lincoln Creek Road runs west from the village, and then south. Cities and villages within twenty miles of Luther include LeRoy, Tustin, Reed City, and Baldwin, and the unincorporated community of Edgetts is about seven miles to the east.
The Little Manistee River flows through the village, and a pond created by an impoundment of the river is in the southeast quadrant.
Hillsdale College's G.H. Gordon Biological Research Station is located in Luther. Situated on seven hundred acres, the research station began in 1999, providing research opportunities for Hillsdale's students and faculty, as well as off-campus course options.
Rockwell Lake Lodge and the Plym Village Cabins, both located at the station, provide accommodations for visitors, whether they are in Luther for a work-related activity or vacation. Otherwise, the village is largely residential.
Luther was first settled by European-Americans in 1880, and the community was first known as Wilson, for the Luther and Wilson Lumber Company, an early sawmill. After it was learned that there was another town named Wilson, the community was renamed for the other partner in the company, William A. Luther. In 1881, the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad extended its track to Luther, opening a station stop to serve local lumber operations.
The community grew quickly over the next few years. A post office was established on June 4, 1882, with Thomas Crebbin as postmaster, and the village was incorporated in 1893. In 1890, the first year that Luther appeared on a census roll, its population was 1,084, which was its peak population, as the village declined nine out of the next twelve decades. Notably, it increased by nearly thirty percent in 1980. Its current population is just over three hundred.
During its boom years, the village was exporting lumber, shingles, bark, and charcoal. There were several local businesses, including a blacksmith, a tinsmith, a millwright, a jeweler, and a dressmaker, as well as restaurants, saloons, general stores, grocery stores, real estate offices, and an opera house.
In the late 1800s, the Manistee & Grand Rapids Railroad extended its tracks to Luther. Electricity was available by 1912, and Luther had a school organized by grades, and five churches.
Today, there are only a few commercial businesses in town, including a restaurant, grocery store, and gift shop. Mill Pond Park, originally the site of a mill, now includes a garden, a dam, and a trail system. Both Newkirk and Ellsworth townships are headquartered in Luther, and the village also has a library, museum, post office, senior citizen organization, and five churches.
As the focus of this category is on the village of Luther, Michigan, online resources for the village government, and any other governmental bodies in Luther, such as the townships, are appropriate for this category, along with local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
The rustic log lodge is situated on 38 wooded acres near Luther, Michigan. Featuring six bedrooms, the lodge can sleep up to thirty people, and includes a full kitchen, 600 feet of waterfront, satellite television and WiFi, a game room, kayaks, and a trailer, as well as games and toys. Its mailing address and location are provided, along with a telephone number, and social media contacts. An availability calendar, guest reviews, floor plans, and online reservations are available.
https://www.edgettslodge.com/
Settled mostly after the Civil War, the rural township in Lake County includes the unincorporated communities of Copley, Ellsworth, and a portion of Luther, in which its offices are located. The official municipal website presents a history of the township, its master plan, planning commissions ordinance, and a mission statement, as well as a list of board members, board meeting agendas and minutes, a calendar of events, and contacts. Access to various forms and applications is included.
https://www.ellsworthtownship.com/
G.H. Gordon Biological Station
The biological station at Rockwell Lake, east of Luther, Michigan, is a field research laboratory operated through Hillsdale College. The largest biological station in Michigan, it includes 685-acres of old fields, forests, marshes, swamps, bogs, a trout stream, and a lake. A profile of the facilities, its mission, admissions policies, a campus map, directions, contacts, and announcements are provided. A calendar of events, online courses, and a blog is included.
https://www.hillsdale.edu/about/facilities/gordon-biological-station/
Located on State Street in Luther, Michigan, the library features a wide variety of books, including audiobooks, large-print books, and children's books, as well as music CDs, movie DVDs, and electronic resources. The library also offers color and photo printing services, tax forms, computers with pointers, free WiFi access, and a UPS drop spot. Its location, hours, contacts, a calendar of events, programs, and research facilities are featured, and Library Boosters are highlighted.
https://www.lutherlibrary.michlibrary.org/
The mostly rural township includes the Little Manistee River, the Pine River, and a portion of the village of Luther, Michigan. The official township website outlines its geography, history, and demographics, and posts township meeting agendas and minutes, public notices and announcements, financial reports, and an overview of township services, recycling services, parks and recreation programs, library, and schools. Links to local and governmental online resources are also included.
http://www.newkirktownship.com/
Situated on the grounds of the G.H. Gordon Biological Station east of Luther, Michigan, the facilities provide accommodations for visitors to the biological station, as well as vacationers and others. The Lodge may also be able to accommodate conferences, retreats, reunions, or other group events. Featuring ten large guest suites, photographs, descriptions, and a list of amenities are provided, along with its group policies and group dining needs. Reservations may be made online.
https://rockwelllakelodge.hillsdale.edu/
