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Marcellus, Michigan is in the northeast quadrant of Cass County, in the southwest region of the Lower Peninsula. It is situated near the center of Marcellus Township.

The chief routes through the village are M-40 (Centre Street) and M-216 (Main Street). Cities and villages within twenty miles of Marcellus include Lawton, Vandalia, Decatur, Three Rivers, Paw Paw, Schoolcraft, Mattawan, Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Constantine, and Mendon.

The largely residential community has experienced steady growth since it first appeared on a census roll in 1880. While it has had a few decades of decline, the gains have outweighed the losses, and it has had a population above 1,100 since 1970.

European-American settlement of the land that became Marcellus began in October of 1832, when John Bair came. Daniel Driskel came the following year and, by 1836, twenty-eight families had built homes there.

Marcellus Township was organized in 1843, and named for the Roman Emperor Flavius Marcellus. A post office was established on December 30, 1856, with Harrison Dykeman as the first postmaster.

The townsite was platted by George W. Jones, Leander Bridge, Maria Snyder, and Geore R. Roach in 1870. Through the purchase of stock and granting right of way, they persuaded the Peninsula Railroad to extend its tracks through the center of the town. The railroad came through in the winter of 1870-71, originally opening a depot on the east side of town. However, in 1898, the depot was moved nearer to the central business district, and expanded. By the second decade of the 20th century, ten passenger trains were stopping at the Marcellus depot each day.

In 1879, Marcellus was incorporated as a village. At that time, there were about five hundred people living there. Within a few years, Marcellus had a couple of churches, four doctors, two lawyers, two justices of the peace, a newspaper, three dry goods stores, three grocery stores, two drug stores, two meat markets, a hardware store, a furniture store, three millinery shops, a tailor, two hotels, two tin shops, a bank, two stave factories, two harness shops, a cooper shop, a steam-operates sawmill, a sash and bline manufacturer, a printing business, a restaurant, and a newspaper.

Today, the village is known for its small-town atmosphere, agrarian roots, outdoor recreational opportunities, and as a center for local commerce. With traditional neighborhood development patterns, characterized by a central business district surrounded by compact residential development, most residents enjoy an easy walk from their homes to the commercial district.

The focus of this portion of our guide is on the village of Marcellus, Michigan. Online resources for the municipal government, any other governmental bodies within the village limits, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities within the village are appropriate topics for this category.

 

 

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