The Village of Stockbridge is in southeast Stockbridge Township, in the southeastern corner of Ingham County, Michigan.
M-52 joins M-106 just south of Stockbridge, and the two highways run together into the village center, where M-106 turns east and M-52 turns west before heading north out of town. Other routes to and from the village include Brogan Road, Green Road, and Morton Road.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Stockbridge include Ingham, Pinckney, Chelsea, Leslie, Grass Lake, Webberville, Dexter, Williamston, Mason, Fowlerville, Jackson, and Howell, while the unincorporated communities of Williamsville, Gregory, Fitchburg, Munith, Unadilla, Lyndon Center, Kaiserville, Bullis Crossing, Plainfield, and Waterloo are within ten miles.
Stockbridge first appears on the US census in 1880 with a population of 160. Since then, its population has risen and dropped, but mostly risen, to a population of 1,244 in 2020. Its peak population was 1,260 in 2000.
The first European-American settlers in the area that was to become Stockbridge were Elijah Smith and Herman Lowe, who came in 1835. Mr. Smith platted a village site, which he planned to name Pekin, for his New York hometown. Before he registered the plat, Silas Beebe bought him out in 1838. Along with Ira Beebe, he added twenty acres to the original 80-acre plat, and replatted it as Stockbridge, for the township.
Reportedly, Mr. Beebe was interested in buying the land because he believed the railroad was about to come through, and Mr. Smith was willing to sell it because he didn't believe the railroad was coming. Both were partially right because the railroad didn't come through until 1883, and the village was incorporated in 1889.
In the 1930s, several farm families from Kentucky migrated to Stockbridge to grow vegetables, and many of these people have remained in the area.
Stockbridge was never a large town but, at one time, the community supported several businesses, including clothing and department stores, a hospital, a 24-hour German restaurant, a deli, a bakery, and a lumber yard, as well as several farms within and in the area around the town.
The Grand Trunk Western Railroad opened a station in Stockbridge, along its Jackson branch line, which was abandoned in the late 1970s. While it was in operation, the train carried passengers and freight.
Elijah Meyers, who designed the Stockbridge Village Hall, also designed several capital buildings, including the State Capital building in Lansing. Constructed in 1892, the Village Hall is still in use today.
Telephone service came to Stockbridge in the 1890s with the installation of a pay phone in the W.E. Brown Store on East Main Street. The Rural Telephone Company was formed in 1931, although full availability didn't come about until the early 1950s.
Electricity became available in Stockbridge in 1910, although it was originally available only in the business district, and was shut off in the evening. By 1912, availability was more widespread and 24-hour service was added.
The Stockbridge Water Department was formed in 1912, getting its water from three deep wells and a water tower behind the village offices. A new tower has since been built at Memorial Park. A sewer system was not completed until 1966.
Today, Stockbridge remains a small village, largely residential, with only a few commercial or industrial concerns. Most Stockbridge residents commute to work in nearby larger employment centers.
Police protection and law enforcement is provided by the Stockbridge Police Department, while the Stockbridge Area Emergency Services Authority provides fire and ambulance services to Stockbridge, Bunker Hill, Waterloo, and White Oak townships, with ambulances housed at the Stockbridge Township Hall.
The village maintains one municipal park. Known as Veteran's Memorial Park, it has playground equipment, a portable skating rink, volleyball and basketball courts, a skateboard ramp, two pavilions, and restroom facilities.
The Stockbridge Community School District provides PK-12 educational services through Emma Smith Elementary School, Heritage Elementary School, Stockbridge Middle School, and Stockbridge High School.
The focal point of this portion of our guide is the village of Stockbridge, Michigan. Online resources for the municipal and township offices, as well as any other governmental bodies within the village, are appropriate for this category, as are local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
Animal Blood Resources International
Founded in 1988, ABRI is the first commercial blood bank for domestic animals in the United States, the facility carries packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, lyophilized cryoprecipitate, and albumin. Headquartered in Stockbridge, Michigan, it also has a California office. Its location, contacts, and an overview of its operation are provided, including its products and services, price list, product inserts, lab services, adoption program, and community outreach resources are defined.
https://www.abrint.net/
Located on East Main Street, the Stockbridge, Michigan flower shop offers floral arrangements for weddings, congratulations, funerals, centerpieces, and other occasions, as well as corsages and boutonnieres, and custom flower arrangements. A calendar of events, directions, physical and mailing addresses, telephone and fax numbers, email addresses, social media contacts, and an after-hours phone number for funeral orders are defined. Its hours of operation are posted on the site.
https://countrypetalsfloral.com/
Serving the village and township of Stockbridge, Michigan, the K-12 public school district operates Smith Elementary School, Heritage School, and Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School, each of which is featured here, with addresses, school schedules, policy information, and contacts for school faculty and staff, district administrative offices, and departments. Students may be enrolled through an online form or by telephone. A Schools of Choice application is also available.
https://www.panthernet.net/
Occupying the southeast corner of Ingham County, the civil township was organized in 1836. Its main population center is Stockbridge. The official township website includes a calendar of meetings and events, meeting agendas and minutes, public notices, zoning information and ordinances, tax data, and a brief history of the township. Administrative and departmental contacts are provided, and the township board, zoning committee, and commissions are identified.
https://www.stockbridgetownship.com/
Located in southeastern Stockbridge Township, in southeastern Ingham County, the village is about thirty-five miles southeast of downtown Lansing. The official municipal website posts the locations of village offices, regular office hours, contact information, a calendar of events, and official meeting notices, agendas, and minutes. Other resources include various reports, budget data, and employment opportunities, including an employment application.
http://www.vosmi.org/
