Situated in northern Ogemaw County, Rose City, Michigan straddles Rose, Klacking, and Cumming townships, although it is administered independently.
M-33 (Bennett Street, Williams Street) and Rose City Road (Main Street) intersect in the center of town, serving as the chief routes to and from the city.
The unincorporated communities of Rose Center, Fayettes Corner, and Lupton are within ten miles of Rose City, while the only other incorporated municipality within twenty miles is West Branch, sixteen miles to the southwest. Other cities and villages within fifty miles of Rose City include Prescott, Whittemore, Sterling, Roscommon, Standish, Turner, Twining, Tawas City, East Tawas, Omer, Grayling, Pinconning, Au Gres, and Gladwin.
Rose City is the seventh-smallest city in the state, by population, and has remained relatively stable throughout its history. First appearing on a census roll in 1910 with a population of 542, its lowest population was 331 in 1920, and its peak population was 721 in 2000. As of the 2020 census, its population was 577.
In 1871, Hiram Hodge and William (Deacon) Rose came to the area along wilderness trails. Hiram Hodge built a hotel, but didn't remain in the area long. Although Mr. Rose soon returned to New York State, his son, Allan D. Rose remained. He opened a general store about a mile and a half west of the current city center. A post office was established in his store on September 8, 1875, with Allan Rose as postmaster. The post office was first named Churchill.
Allan Rose and M.S. French, a banker from West Branch, formed a partnership known as the French and Rose Land Company to sell home sites and develop the town.
Mr. Rose was instrumental in persuading the railroad to come through the area to serve local lumber operations. The Detroit & Mackinac Railroad built its Rose City branch line east of Churchill, which prompted Churchill businesses to move nearer to the railroad. On July 23, 1892, the post office in Churchill closed and reopened closer to the railroad, at which time it was renamed Rose City, in honor of the Rose family.
Rose City was incorporated in 1910. However, that same year, a fire destroyed most of its business section and brought an end to its lumber industry. Several businesses chose not to rebuild, and the new city lost nearly forty percent of its population by 1920.
The city rebounded closely for a couple of decades, but began growing more rapidly after World War II. Between 1945 and 1960, the city gained a sewer system, paved streets, and streetlights.
As there are several artesian wells in the area, still serving as the city's water supply today, Rose City was known as "The Home of Artesian Wells" for a time.
Tourism became a significant influence on the city's economy in the 1930s, aided by the presence of about seventy-five lakes within fifteen miles of Rose City. Houghton Creek, a tributary of the Rifle River, flows through the northeast part of the city. The Rifle River Recreation Area is southeast of Rose City, and the Huron National Forest is north. Fishing, hunting, camping, and other outdoor recreational activities still bring people to Rose City.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the small city of Rose City, Michigan. Online resources representing the municipality are appropriate for this category, as are the websites for local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
Located in Rose City, Michigan, the Christian summer camp is featured here, including its dining hall, cafe, guest house, gymnasium, chapel, and various cabins and dormitories. Photographs and descriptions are presented. Key camp staff members are introduced, along with its board of directors, and opportunities for professional internships, teen missions, and summer employment. A calendar of events is posted, and an online store offers various merchandise items.
http://www.newlifecamp.org/
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the congregation meets at its facilities on East Sage Lake Road in Rose City, Michigan. Worship schedules, announcements of weekday programs and activities, and an introduction to the church's pastor are set forth, along with a calendar of events, a gallery of photographs, its address, directions, telephone number, email address, and an online contact form. A brief history of the church is included.
https://www.princeofpeacerosecity.com/
Settled in 1875, Rose City became a city in 1910, and is currently Michigan's seventh-smallest city by population. The official municipal website offers general information about the city, demographics, and links to other helpful online resources. The city council, boards, committees, and departments are highlighted, with contacts, and the text of the city charter, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and various forms and permits are included. Meeting schedules and minutes are posted.
https://www.rosecitymich.com/
Situated in Rose City, Michigan since 1990, the local, independent pharmacy offers customized pharmacy services, including brief refill times, medication therapy management, blister packaging, durable medical equipment, and a gift shop. Services and products are highlighted, a mobile application is available for downloading, and various video wellness classes are included, along with client reviews, and a medication database. Its address, a map, phone and fax numbers are posted.
https://www.rosecitydrug.com/
Rose City Trinity United Methodist Church
The UMC congregation meets at its facilities on West Main Street in Rose City, Michigan. The church's address, office telephone number, the pastor's telephone number and email address, and the telephone number for building reservations are published on the site, which includes a gallery of photographs of past events and of members and official of the church, an overview of its outreach ministries, service schedules, and information about its ministry groups and activities.
https://www.rosecitytrinityumc.org/
