Onondaga, Michigan is an unincorporated community in southwest Onondaga Township, in southwest Ingham County.
The community is situated on the Grand River, a 252-mile waterway in the southwest portion of the Lower Peninsula. The longest river in Michigan, the Grand River runs from Hillsdale County, on the southern border, north to Lansing, and then west to its mouth on Lake Michigan at Grand Haven. Perry Creek also flows through Onondaga, east of downtown. There are several small lakes and ponds within the area.
The main routes through the community are Annis Road, Aurelius Road, Baseline Road, Bellevue Road, Berryville Road, Covert Road, Edgar Road, Gale Road, Kinneville Road, Olds Road, Onondaga Road, Plains Road, Ridley Road, Rives Eaton Road, Tompkins Road, and Waverly Road, and M-188 (VFW Road.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Onondaga include Leslie, Eaton Rapids, Springport, Parma, Mason, Dimondale, Jackson, Olivet, Charlotte, and Potterville, while the unincorporated communities of Charlesworth, Aurelius, and North Aurelius are within ten miles.
The first European-American land acquisition in what would become Onondaga was entered by Oliver Booth in 1834. Most of its early settlers came from New York and New England. A post office was established on October 16, 1838, with Warren B. Buckland as the first postmaster. In 1844, Perez Howland became postmaster, with the post office housed in his grocery store beginning in 1847.
A townsite was platted in 1870 by John Howland, who had acquired land in Onondaga in 1837, and John Sherman, who opened the first store in the village. The village was named for the township, which was itself named for Onondaga County, New York.
John Sherman opened the Sherman House in 1856, and operated it as a hotel for many years. Perez Howland's grocery store was later purchased by Cyrus Baldwin and converted into a hotel. Other owners of that place included Henry S. Willis and E. Flannigan, who also operated a grain business in the village.
In the early 1870s, the Michigan Central Railroad opened a station in Onondaga, along its Grand Rapids branch.
The focal point of this portion of our guide is on the unincorporated community known as Onondaga, Michigan. Appropriate topics include local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational facilities.
Recommended Resources
A family farm since 1837, the Onondaga, Michigan farm was farmed organically until the early 1950s, after which it was often rented out and farmed chemically, growing either beans or corn, except for one small field that was too small and irregular for modern farming operations of the time. Beginning in the 1970s. The farm has again embraced organic farming. The 200-acre farm consists of about 150 tillable acres and is certified organic. Its history, products, and contacts are included.
https://www.ferrisorganicfarm.com/
Founded in 1962 as a residential camp for troubled boys in Ingham County, Highfields is now a multi-purpose human services organization operating out of five offices that serve thirteen counties, offering residential treatment, in-home counseling, and educational services. Its offices are located in Onondaga, Howell, Lansing, Hillsdale, and Jackson. Addresses and contacts are posted on the site, and shown on a map. The history, mission, vision, and overview of its programs are set forth.
https://www.highfields.org/
Situated along Rossman Road, near Church Street, the Onondaga, Michigan cemetery is featured on the Find a Grave website, which encourages volunteers to upload photographs of the grounds, as well as memorials of people who are interred there, along with other data, such as dates of birth and death, and other information and statistics. When applicable, the interred are cross-referenced with other family members, and virtual flowers and memories may also be submitted.
https://www.avivadirectory.com/Regional/North-America/United-States/States/Michigan/Cities-Towns/
The congregation meets at its facilities on Onondaga Road in Onondaga, Michigan. The address, a map, and contacts for the church offices are posted on the site, which includes a profile and history of the church, which was the first church built in the community, then known as the Onondaga Congregational Church. Service schedules, a calendar of programs and events, and information about service opportunities are featured. An introduction and contacts for the pastor are included.
https://www.onondagacommunitychurch.org/
The civil township is situated in the southwest corner of Ingham County, Michigan, and the township offices are in the village of Onondaga. The official township website features a calendar of upcoming events, the location, and contacts for the township offices, meeting agendas and minutes, ordinances, tax data, election information, and access to various forms, reports, and other public documents. A guide to township departments, facilities, services, and cemeteries are included.
https://onondagatownship.org/
