Situated on the north end of Little Bay de Noc, Rapid River, Michigan is an unincorporated community in Masonville Township, Delta County, in the Upper Peninsula.
The Tacoosh River and the Rapid River flow through the community, emptying into the bay, and the mouth of the Whitefish River is just east of the community.
US Highway 2 passes through Rapid River, where it intersects with US Highway 41, the two running concurrently as they exit the community in the west. Other routes serving Rapid River include Bay Shore Drive, Brampton 27.5 Road, S. 75 Road, and S. 6 Road.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Rapid River include Gladstone, Garden, and Escanaba, while the unincorporated communities of Maywood, Perkins, and Beaver are within ten miles.
The community was named for the waterway of the same name, which has a series of rapids for miles, from its mouth to its headwaters.
Rapid River was founded as a railroad town when a railroad stop was established there by the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. Later, a junction of the Soo Line ran north to Alger County. For a time, this branch was used to transport iron ore between the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad and St. Ignace, making a connection with the main line at Trout Lake. In 1890, the Soo Line built a small passenger and freight station.
Originally, the community was known as Rapid Siding, but it was changed to Rapid River in 1887 when a village site was platted and recorded by Mr. Hibbard, of Hibbard & Wright, which operated a sawmill and grocery store there. Additional plats were later made by W.H. Cole and August Schram.
Although platted, Rapid River was never incorporated as a village, although a post office was established on March 3, 1888, with Perry G. Wright as postmaster. The Rapid River post office serves the Delta County townships of Baldwin, Bay de Noc, Brampton, Ensign, Garden, Maple Ridge, Masonville, and Nahma, as well as a small area in Mathias Township in Alger County.
Today, Rapid River is a popular destination for fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts, given its proximity to Little Bay de Noc, Lake Michigan, and several waterways. The Hiawatha National Forest is just east of town, and there are several guest lodging and summer lodging facilities in Rapid River and the surrounding region.
K-12 public school education in Rapid River is provided by Rapid River Schools, a one-campus school east of the community.
Fire coverage is provided through the Masonville Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Ensign Township Fire Department, while emergency medical services are provided by the Masonville Township Volunteer EMS Service.
The focal point of this portion of our guide is on the unincorporated locality known as Rapid River, Michigan. Appropriate topics include websites representing any governmental bodies within the town, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
Recently acquired by Smith & Sons Lumber, the Rapid River company serves the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan with building supply needs. Located on South Main Street, the store's address, directions, a map, and business hours are published on the site, along with a gallery of photographs depicting several of the products the company carries, client testimonials, announcements, and updates. An online form is available for clients wanting to leave a review.
https://anderson-lumber-co.business.site/
Specializing in the construction of custom log homes and log siding made from Northern White Cedar. Its headquarters and plant are located in Rapid River, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where it has produced log homes and log products since 1970, completing thousands of log homes, log home sidings, and log home components for customers throughout the United States. Photos of model homes, construction options, contacts, and office hours are posted.
http://www.rapidriverrustic.com/
Providing a K-12 public school curriculum on one campus, situated along US Highway 2, east of Rapid River, Michigan. School board members and a staff directory are provided, along with departmental contacts, a school improvement plan, a parent involvement plan, compliance data, master schedules, busing information, and access to various forms, documents, and notices. Student groups and clubs, the district athletics programs, and ACT/SAT preparatory programs are included.
https://www.rapidriver.k12.mi.us/
Near downtown Rapid River, Michigan, the Swallow Inn, and the Rapid River Pub, the guest lodging facility features one-bedroom and two-bedroom motel rooms, an apartment unit with two double beds in one bedroom and one double bed in the other, as well as two-bedroom cabins, each of which are featured here, along with Bay de Noc Charters, a fishing charter operation on Big and Little Bay de Noc, and information about hunting and sightseeing opportunities. Contacts are posted.
http://www.sallmarresort.net/
Organized in 1882, the Rapid River, Michigan congregation is affiliated with the Wisconsin Synod of the Lutheran Church. Its history and an overview of the pastors who served the church are set forth, along with its address, a map, telephone number, and an online contact form. Sunday worship schedules, Tuesday Bible study schedules, and other programs and activities are announced, along with devotionals, a mission statement, and a profile of the congregation.
https://stmartinrapid.org/
