Marne, Michigan is an unincorporated locality in lower Wright Township, in the northeast portion of Ottawa County.
As an unincorporated community, there are no defined boundaries for Marne, but its location includes the area off exit 23 on Interstate 96, and would encompass a portion of the area just north of I-9, and south along 18th Avenue and Sand Creek.
Incorporated cities and villages within twenty miles of Marne include Walker, Coopersville, Grandville, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Sparta, Ravenna, East Grand Rapids, Hudsonville, Kent City, Casnovia, Rockford, Fruitport, and Spring Lake, and the unincorporated communities of Herrington, Reno, Wright, Grand Valley, Conklin, Comstock Park, and Lisbon are within ten miles.
Although it is based in Coopersville, the Coopersville & Marne Railway is a historic railroad operating vintage locomotives and 1920s-era rail cars from Coopersville to Marne, running passenger trains from spring to winter. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the railway trains volunteers in operating and repairing railroad equipment. The railway owns about fourteen miles of track between Coopersville and Grand Rapids, connecting with the Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, CSX and Grand Elk through an exchange at Walker. It also hauls freight for customers along the seven miles of track between Marne and Grand Rapids.
Marne also serves as a trailhead for the Muketawa Trail, a rail-trail along the Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad line from Marne to Muskegon.
Although unincorporated, Marne is one of the oldest communities in the county. The first documented European-American settler was Justin Walker, who came in 1838 or 1839, around the time that the township was surveyed. By 1840, several other settlers came, including Syphrus Waters, John McLain, Leonard Roberts, Charley Roberts, Edson Fuller, Charles Dumming, William P. Wells, Perley Lawton, Irene Wellmen, Jason Parmenter, John Wasson, Charley Buch, Timothy Lillie, Edward Streeter, W.J. Lillibridge, Orren McClure, A.I. Clayton, H.C. McDermott, William Averill, Edward N. Pierce, and Albert Parker, most of whom came to work in the lumber industry.
A few years later, a man by the name of Ford constructed a dam on Sand Creek to power a sawmill and a gristmill. These mills later were acquired by Ira Cole, and others but, at some point, the creek diminished in size and was no longer able to provide sufficient power.
The village itself arose on land largely owned by Mr. Ford and Enos Morgan. Originally, the community was known as Berlin, as many of its early settlers had come from Germany.
Other early businesses included a wagon making shop operated by Sam Everhardt, a harness making shop run by William Monroe, and another sawmill.
A post office was established as Berlin on September 23, 1852, with George W. Woodward as postmaster. However, due to anti-German sentiment resulting from World War I, its name was changed to Marne on June 5, 1919, commemorating the Battle of Marne, in which many American soldiers participated. The name Berlin persists in the community in several ways, such as the Berlin Raceway, the Berlin Fairgrounds, Berlin Fair Drive, and the Berlin Baptist Church.
Topics related to the community of Marne, Michigan are the focus of this category, so appropriate resources include websites representing governmental offices, such as Wright Township, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities, as well as informational sites featuring the community.
Recommended Resources
Berlin Raceway and Entertainment Complex
The Berlin Raceway began as an oval dirt track on the Berlin Fairgrounds in 1950, first opening in 1951. A historical timeline, track information, divisions, employment opportunities, a racing Hall of Fame, and staff contacts are set forth. Annual schedules are published on the site, and tickets may be purchased online, including banquet tickets. Other resources include a photo gallery, news, and media resources, group outing policies, and acknowledgment of its partners.
https://www.berlinraceway.com/
Serving West Michigan since 1991, the business is situated in Marne, from which it services most salt needs, such as softener and deicing products, including services to residences, commercial facilities, agricultural facilities, and seasonal services, from in-home delivery to truckloads, on-site warehousing, pick-up sales, immediate availability, truckload, and volume discounts, and hand-unload capabilities. Its memberships, directions, office hours, and telephone and fax numbers are included.
https://www.chulskisaltservice.com/
The Marne, Michigan company specializes in producing lumber for log homes, timber homes, and specialty lumber. The history of the business is narrated, and its owners and staff are introduced. A list of the company's products is set forth on its site, including photos and prices, and its services, which include product installation, log home maintenance, custom cabinetry, timber framing, and full log homes, interior design, log home restoration, new builds, and remodeling, are outlined.
https://homesteadtimbers.com/
Located in Marne, Michigan, the parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Its site features Mass times, and its policies and schedules for the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, Funerals, and Catholic teachings. Parish ministries are introduced, along with its faith formation programs, membership information, a photo gallery, church bulletins, and contacts.
https://saintmarysmarne.org/
The civil township is in Ottawa County, in the western portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Its offices are based in Marne. The official township website identifies township board and committee members, posts meeting minutes, election information, ordinances, and township services and facilities. Other resources include a community calendar, a business directory, and historical information pertaining to the township. Commonly requested township forms are available for download.
https://wrighttownship.com/
