The Arenac County village of Sterling, Michigan is in Deep River Township, which surrounds it.
M-76 (Saginaw Street) intersects Sterling diagonally, intersecting Sterling Road (State Street) downtown. Other routes to and from the village include School Road and Ellison Road, which forms most of its southern boundary.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Sterling include Standish, Omer, Pinconning, Twining, Prescott, Au Gres, Turner, Whittemore, and West Branch, while the unincorporated community of Alger is within ten miles.
First appearing on a census roll in 1930 with a population of 279, Sterling's peak population was 533 in 2000. It dropped to 474 by the time of the 2020 census.
The village was built around a sawmill opened by Norn & Kent in 1871. The Michigan Central Railroad established a station there the following year, which later came under the ownership of the New York Central Railroad, Penn Central Railroad, Detroit & Mackinac Railroad, and Lake State Railroad. A wig-wag railroad crossing signal installed under New York Central ownership was one of the last, if not the last, wig-wag signals in Michigan when it was removed in the late 1990s.
A post office was established in Sterling on January 30, 1872, with William S. Perkins as the first postmaster, although the office was then named Perkins, for the postmaster, and it was then part of Bay County. The name was later changed to Sterling, for William C. Sterling, who operated a lumber mill, and the area came under the jurisdiction of Arenac County.
Sterling was incorporated as a village in 1917. Today, Sterling is still a small, largely rural, community. It has several small businesses, stores, restaurants, bars, an elementary school, and a park. The Detroit & Mackinac Railroad still runs through town, although it doesn't stop in Sterling.
In this portion of our web guide, we will focus on the village of Sterling, Michigan. Topics related to the municipality and any other governmental bodies within the village, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities, are the focus of this category.
Recommended Resources
Established in 1938, Iva's is a seasonal restaurant in the village of Sterling, Michigan. Founded by Iva Ousterhout, the business is still owned by the original family. Its history, several photographs, the location, a map, seasonal schedules and hours, a telephone number, email address, and an online contact form are featured. Specializing in chicken, its dine-in and at-home menus are posted, along with catering menu options, and information about private party accommodations.
https://www.ivaschickendinners.com/
Offering long-term skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation, the facility is located on South School Road in Sterling, Michigan. The address and a map are provided, along with telephone and fax numbers, and an online contact form. A tour of the facilities can be scheduled online, and its site includes information on what the facility offers, including a list of amenities, testimonials, and job opportunities. A blog features updates on the facility and related information.
https://medilodgeofsterling.com/
River View Campground & Canoe Livery
Situated along the rifle River in Sterling, Michigan, the campground offers one mile of riverfront camping, with sites ranging from full-hookup to rustic. The 160-acre campground borders state forest lands, offering camping, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. Seasonal campsites and cabin rentals are available for those who are not in a recreational vehicle. An overview of the facilities, its rates, rules, special offers, and online bookings are available.
https://riverviewcampground.com/
A campus of the Standish-Sterling Community School District, Sterling Elementary is on West State Street in the village of Sterling, Michigan. Its location, a map, office hours, telephone and fax numbers, notices to parents and students, staff contacts, and an overview of the school's athletics and community education programs. The procedures for reporting student absences or contacting a teacher are included. Board meeting notices and a list of school board members are included.
https://ste.standish-sterling.org/
Located in Deep River Township, Sterling is a village of just under five hundred people. The official municipal website presents a brief profile and history of the village, a map showing the location of the village offices, office hours, contacts, and an online contact form. Also included are the names of the village council, notices, and schedule of regular meetings, zoning meetings, and special meetings, as well as resolutions, policies, ordinances, and hall rental policies.
https://villageofsterling.org/
