Surrounded by Richmond Township, in southwestern Osceola County, Reed City, Michigan is one of only two cities in the county, and serves as the county seat.
The primary routes of transportation to and from the city are US-10 and US-131. US-10 is an east-west route that extends from Bay City on the Saginaw Bay, to Ludington on Lake Michigan, while US-131 is a north-south route that runs from the Michigan-Indiana line to Petoskey. The business route for US-10 is Church Avenue, which intersects with Patterson Road at its western terminus. Other routes include 3 Mile Road, 4 Mile Road, Patterson Road, and Old US Highway 131.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles from the city include Hersey, Big Rapids, Evart, Leroy, Tustin, Baldwin, Luther, Stanwood, and Barryton.
The Hersey River flows through the eastern portion of the city.
The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park extends into the city. The White Pine Trail is a 92-mile linear state park that extends from northern Grand Rapids to Cadillac, following the path graded for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. Currently, the trail has three paved sections, including a 13-mile stretch between Big Rapids and Reed City. According to the Friends of the White Pine Trail, there are plans to extend the paved areas of the trail and connect it to other trail systems in the state. The White Pine Trail already connects with the Pere Marquette State Trail in Reed City. The Pere Marquette State Trail is a 55-mile bicycle and multi-use trail that runs through Clare, Lake, and Osceola counties, largely following the former route of the Pere Marquette Railway.
Currently, approximately thirty percent of the land area in the city is single-family residential, while there is some multiple-family housing in the southern part of the city, including an apartment complex operated by the Reed City Housing Commission. More than thirty percent of the city's land area is vacant or open space land.
The major industrial area of the city is southeast of the city center, although some industry is found adjacent to the downtown district. Reed City's downtown area is primarily commercial, with a mix of general merchandise and specialty shops. A second commercial area is south of the central business district, along Chestnut Street, between Lincoln Avenue and 3 Mile Road.
Although there are fluctuations from one decade to another, Reed City has generally been growing. Its peak population was in 2020, with 2,490 people.
Among the early settlers of the community who made significant contributions to its development were William M. Slosson, Frederick H. Todd, William A. Higbee, and James M. Reed, for whom the city was eventually named. At various times, before a name was settled upon, it was known as Tunshla, meaning unknown, and later as Todd's Slashings, a reference to lumbered-off land belonging to Mr. Todd.
The community was platted as Reed City in 1870, as the track of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad was under construction, and the route for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was fixed at Reed City.
With two railroad routes slated to intersect in Reed City, the town grew. The Davenport Brothers opened a general store, followed by a second general store run by a Mr. Gibbs, and a drug store operated by E. Traut, while William Blank opened a liquor store. In 1871, the Lonsbury & Crocker General Store opened. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad came through in November of 1871, establishing a station in Reed City, and continuing construction of its track northward. Soon after, the Flint & Pere Marquette came through. On December 8, 1871, a post office was opened in Reed City with Simpson Traut as postmaster.
Reed City was incorporated as a village on December 3, 1872. After its initial incorporation was determined to be illegal by the courts, it was reincorporated in April of 1875, and became a city in 1932. In 1927, the Osceola County seat was moved from Hersey to Reed City.
The focus of this part of our guide is on Reed City, Michigan. Appropriate topics for this category include governmental entities within the city, as well as local industries, businesses, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities, as well as informational sites.
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Situated on West Upton Avenue, the Reed City, Michigan establishment is open every day but Sunday. In business for decades, it was temporarily renamed The Last Call by previous owners, but, under new ownership, it has brought back the original name. Its location is shown on a map, its address, contacts, hours of operation, live entertainment schedules, and its breakfast, dinner, and carry-out menus are posted on the site, along with information about its delivery policies.
https://www.buckboardbar.com/
Pruitt-Livingston Funeral Home
Independently owned and operated, the Reed City, Michigan business offers a full line of funeral services, which are outlined here. Its location, mailing address, telephone number, and email address are provided, with an overview of the business, an introduction to its staff, and information about planning a funeral, including its plan-ahead policies. Also included is a library of grief resources, a bookstore, a link to local florists, and a direct link to send flowers.
https://www.pruittlivingston.com/
Located in southwestern Osceola County, Michigan, Reed City is the county seat. The official municipal website identifies the mayor and city council, department heads, and a staff directory, as well as a city calendar, public notices, and access to various forms and publications. The city's code of ordinances, councils, boards, and commissions are featured. The Reed City Depot features a community room and outdoor area for event rentals, which are highlighted here, including a video.
https://reedcity.org/
Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce
Representing business members in Reed City and the surrounding region, the Chamber is a non-profit organization based in Reed City, Michigan. Member benefits and plans are featured, along with a member directory, a calendar of sponsored activities and events, and an online application. Business networking, new development, and fundraising activities are highlighted, sponsors are acknowledged, the Chamber office location is posted, and contacts are included.
https://www.reedcitychamber.com/
Reed City Area District Library
Located in Reed City, Michigan, the library provides free library services to residents of Reed City and Cedar, Green, Lincoln, and Richmond townships, while services are available to others for a fee. An overview of its materials, books, magazines, audiobooks, and movies is set forth, along with e-books, downloadable audiobooks, and other digital resources. Its location, hours of operation, meeting schedules, children's programs, and contacts are set forth.
https://www.reedcitylibrary.org/
Serving PK-12th-grade students in Reed City, Michigan, the public school district operates G.T. Norman Elementary School, Reed City Middle School, and Reed City High School, each of which is featured here, along with announcements, a calendar of events, and a downloadable mobile application available from the App Store and Google Play. The district administrative offices, departments, board of education, athletics program, and staff and faculty contacts are posted.
https://www.reedcityschools.org/
Established in 2017, RCBC is a family-owned micro-brewery in downtown Reed City, Michigan. Situated near the crossroads of US-10, US-131, and the White Pine and Pere Marquette Trails, the taproom is open every day but Sunday. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts. With rotating taps of a variety of different beer styles, all craft-brewed in-house, its current beer menu is featured, and the history and profile of the business are included. Orders may be placed online.
https://www.reedcitybeer.com/
Originating in the early 1900s, the business and buildings changed hands several times over the years and are currently owned and operated by families who also run family farms. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted, and many of its products are highlighted, including locally made products, feed and supplements, storefront goods, seed, show feed and supplies, barn supplies, and fertilizers, many of which may be purchased online.
https://www.reedcityfeeds.com/
Associated with Little League International, the Reed City, Michigan organization is a non-profit community group that facilitates youth baseball. Registration policies and schedules, volunteer opportunities, a directory of ball fields used by league teams, and training camp schedules are posted. Team managers and coaches are acknowledged, along with sponsors, and parent information. Links to online LLI resources and policy statements are included.
https://www.reedcitylittleleague.com/
