New Era, Michigan is a small village in Shelby Township, Oceana County, in the state's western Lower Peninsula.
The village is at the halfway point along the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park. Commonly known as the Hart-Montague Trail, and recognized as a state park, it is a bicycle trail that extends from Montague to Hart that follows a former railroad bed. In New Era, it largely parallels South Oceana Drive (1st Street), immediately east of the main roadway through the village. Local businesses target bicyclists as they pass by along the trail.
Other routes through the village include West Garfield Road and West Pike Road, the latter of which connects with West M-20 just west of the village. South Oceana Drive connects with M-20 just north of the village, then continues north. US-31 is west of New Era. West Yale Road forms the southern boundary of the village, and Redwood Road forms its eastern boundary.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of New Era include Rothbury, Shelby, Montague, Whitehall, Hart, Lakewood Club, Hesperia, and Pentwater.
Founded along Carleton Creek in 1870, the village's early settlers and founders were Gilbert B. Goble and Dr. Spaulding, who came from Erie, Pennsylvania. The Chicago & Western Michigan (Pere Marquette) Railroad established a depot there in the early 1870s, and a post office was established in the railroad depot on May 15, 1872, with Gilbert Goble as the first postmaster. Joseph Zeck became the postmaster on November 6, 1877.
New Era was incorporated as a village in 1948. Although the community did show up on a census report in 1880, with a population of 80, it was not again included until 1950, after it had been incorporated. At that time, its population was 247. New Era's peak population was 534 in 1980, and it has declined in population each census year since, with a current population of under four hundred and fifty.
The chief subject of this portion of our guide is the Oceana County village of New Era, Michigan. Appropriate topics include online resources for the municipal government, as well as any local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, sports facilities, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
Founded as a dairy farm in the 1880s, the Country Dairy expanded to include a dairy processing plant in 1983, and currently milks about 1,200 cows, processes milk, makes cheese, ice cream, and butter, and opened a retail store on the farm in 2004 that includes a restaurant menu, ice cream, and other dairy products, as well as gift items, and tours. Its products are highlighted and made available for online shopping. An overview of the farm, its tours, market and cafe are featured.
https://countrydairy.com/
The camping resort in New Era, Michigan offers full hook-ups for recreational vehicles, cabin rentals, tent campsites, and a group camping area, including free wireless Internet, a camp store, playground, hiking trails, and a recreation room. Its address, telephone number, email address, and photo gallery are available. Offering daily and weekly reservations online, weekly discounted rates, and monthly and seasonal rates, its prices are posted, and policy information is included.
https://holidaycamping.com/
Built in the 1970s by the grandparents of the current owners, the business was closed for a few years due to road closures but reopened in 2003. The 700-acre fifth-generation farm family operates a working fruit farm, corn maze, and petting zoo, as well as several other activities. Situated along West M-20 in New Era, Michigan, its location, dates, and hours are posted, and tickets may be purchased online. An online contact form is provided, and employment opportunities are posted online.
https://www.visitlewisfarms.com/
Organized in 1955, the congregation offers Sunday worship services, weekly children's and teen programs, youth camping programs, and other ministries. Weekly service schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, as well as its address, telephone number, cellular number, email address, and an online contact form. Sermon notes are posted on the site, an introduction to its pastor and family, and a page of resources for Bible studies and devotions are provided, along with a sermon archive.
https://www.newerabiblechurch.org/
Established in 1948, the Christian school provides a Christian education for students in preschool through the eighth grade, with eight classrooms, a library, and a combined gymnasium and auditorium. Enrolling students from several area churches, the school's history, board, staff, as well as its enrollment and admissions policies, tuition, and an application for financial assistance. Also included are a student handbook, school calendar, newsletter, and job openings.
http://www.newerachristian.org/
A campus of Shelby Public Schools, the 4-5th-grade campus is situated on Hillcrest Drive in New Era, Michigan. Staff contacts are published on the site, along with its administrative hours and contacts, affiliated clubs and organizations, food service, and media center. A school calendar, announcements, and an overview of its academic programs, building schedules, and its music, physical education, and STEM programs. Links to various online Human Resources are provided on the site.
https://www.neweraelementary.net/
The New Era, Michigan congregation meets on Sunday mornings for worship, and at other times or places as published on its ministries page and calendar of events. Its student and group ministries are featured, with locations and times, as well as contacts and other details. Other resources include registration and release forms, a printable calendar. An audio archive of recent sermons is featured, and its mailing and physical addresses, phone number, email address, and contact form are provided.
https://www.newerareformedchurch.org/
Surrounded by orchards and farmland, the village is in Shelby Township, Oceana County, Michigan. Representing the New Era Village Council as well as the New Era Chamber of Commerce, the site provides contacts for each of these entities, as well as a guide to businesses, churches, schools, organizations, and events in New Era, Michigan. Council members, meeting dates, agendas, and minutes, as well as legal notices, and Chamber membership benefits and options are featured on the site.
https://neweramichigan.com/
Offering one hour and one and a half hour trail rides, the equine stables offer gentle, well-trained horses, and experienced wranglers, as well as a setting that includes shaded trails. Children, one and two years old, may ride double in the saddle with an adult, while those three and up will be on their own horse or pony. Rides may be booked online, and gift cards may also be purchased. Weight limits are stated. The business also offers a therapeutic riding program, which is highlighted here.
https://stonylakestables.com/
