Surrounded by Marlette Township, Marlette, Michigan is located in the lower west portion of Sanilac County, in the heart of the Thumb Region of the Lower Peninsula.
M-53 (Main Street) runs north-south through Marlette, intersecting with Marlette Road just north of the center, and these are the chief routes to and from the city, although M-46 is an east-west highway about six miles north of Marlette. The nearest expressway is I-69, about twenty miles to the south. The Marlette Airport is just outside the southwest city limits.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Marlette include Clifford, Kingston, Brown City, North Branch, Mayville, Peck, Sandusky, and Melvin.
The population of Marlette is between 1,700 and 1,800. First appearing on a census roll with a population of 996 in 1900, its peak population was 2,104 in 2000. The Marlette post office serves all but the northeast corner of Marlette Township. It also serves portions of southern Lamotte Township, southwest Elmer Township, northwest Flynn Township, northeast Elk Township, parts of northern Burnside Township in Lapeer County, and southeast Koylton Township in Tuscola County.
European-American and Canadian settlers began coming into the area in the middle of the 19th century, largely due to its timber resources and the agricultural fertility of the land. Among the early settlers were Robert Stinson, who came in 1854, and the land upon which the village was formed was originally owned by Benjamin Hobson, John McGill, Charles Harwack, and Robert Wilson.
The village was platted in 1856 and, along with the township, it was named for the name Marlatt, which was found carved on the end log of a log cabin across from the Rudd farm, which was just north of the current city limits. Tradition has it that the name was carved by two brothers, with that name, who had come from Ontario with their mother, intending to open a mill, but were unable to do so, and returned to Canada.
The Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad completed its Marlette Branch line in early 1881, further extending its tracks to East Saginaw. Today, its depot remains as a restored example of a late 1800s railway station.
Robert and John Wilson built a grist mill in 1866, and a sawmill was built by John McGill in 1867. A post office was opened just south of the current city limits on November 3, 1866, with Gordon W. Rudd as postmaster. In 1869, the post office was moved to the village, with John McGill as postmaster. Marlette was incorporated as a village in 1881, and became a city in 1984.
Today, most of the city's population resides in single-family homes, although its percentage of one-unit structures is less than that of the county or state. Almost nine percent of its population lives in group quarters, mostly in various elderly care facilities and the Teen Ranch Boys Home.
Manufacturing employs the largest portion of employed people in Marlette, although many of them are employed by manufacturing companies outside of the city limits. Industrial development in the southern part of the city began when the railroad line came through, and the railroad is still active as the center of industrial development in Marlette.
Residential development began with the traditional single-family homes near the center of town, largely on small lots. Mobile and manufactured development later occurred on the western part of the city, and suburban-type subdivisions were built on larger lots in the outlying areas of the city.
The Marlette Community Park and Pool, along Chard Street, is the largest park in the city, and it includes a swimming pool, pool house, two softball fields. two sand volleyball courts, three basketball courts, three tennis courts, ten horseshoe pits, two pavilions, and a variety of playground equipment. Memorial Park is triangular, shaped by Angle, Fenner, and Prospect Streets, and is largely an open field.
With the exception of Main Street and Marlette Road, all of the streets within the city are two-lane streets. Main Street (M-53) is a three-lane road from the southern city limits to Kilgour Street, where it becomes a five-lane road as far as its intersection with Marlette Road, after which it returns to three lanes. Marlette Road is a four-lane street from Ayre Street east to its intersection with Main Street, after which it becomes a three-lane street.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the city of Marlette, Michigan. Websites representing the city, any other governmental agencies within the city, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities within the city are appropriate here.
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Featuring 12,000 square feet of retail area, Ben's focuses on outdoor products, including archery, firearms, fishing, and camping supplies, as well as outdoor apparel, guns, and ammunition. Its departments are featured, along with a list of manufacturers whose products are offered for sale at Ben's, weekly sales items, and customer reviews. Its address, directions, a map showing its location, its hours of operation, and telephone number are published on the site.
http://bensgreatoutdoors.com/
Incorporated as a city in 1984, Marlette is in the Thumb Region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The official municipal website features the history of the city, its master plan, and a guide to local services, facilities, and resources. The city council, planning commission, zoning board of appeals, and departmental heads are acknowledged, and council agendas and minutes are posted, along with a calendar of events, and a section of the site that features the local Chamber of Commerce.
http://www.cityofmarlette.com/
The Marlette, Michigan public school system provides K-12th-grade educational services through an elementary school and combined junior-senior high school, both of which are highlighted here, including student handbooks, parent involvement policies, college and career planning resources, tutoring schedules, school calendars, and faculty and staff contacts. Also included is a student writing guide and an online portal for students and parents. Site content is available in English and Spanish.
https://www.marletteschools.org/
Opened as a 22-bed hospital in 1951, the medical facility has expanded considerably over the years. Its history, accreditations, designations, partnerships, awards, and foundation are revealed, along with patient testimonials, videos, and a provider directory. Its services are detailed, volunteer and career opportunities are posted on the site, and its administrative and quality department contacts are included. Also included is a patient portal, and event calendar.
https://marletteregionalhospital.org/
The full-service recreational vehicle dealership in Marlette, Michigan has been in business for more than twenty-five years, offering a large variety of new RVs, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers, as well as pre-owned vehicles. Its location, hours of operation, and sales, service, and parts numbers are published on the site, and available vehicles are highlighted, with photos, descriptions, and asking prices. Its parts and service departments are featured.
https://www.marletterv.com/
