The Village of Thompsonville, Michigan spans Weldon and Colfax townships in southern Benzie County, and borders on Springdale and Cleon townships in Manistee County.
The village is concentrated on the intersection of Lindy Road (Lincoln Avenue, North Street) and Thompsonville Road (Michigan Avenue). Gallagher Road serves as the village's northern boundary, with County Line Road in the south, Walsh Road to the west, and East Street to the east.
The Betsie River is west of Thompsonville, while the Little Betsie River is north.
Incorporated cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Thompsonville include Copemish, Benzonia, Beulah, Kaleva, Honor, Buckley, Mesick, Bear Lake, Lake Ann, Elberta, Frankfort, Onekama, and Kingsley. Thompsonville is equidistant between the unincorporated communities of Crystal Mountain to the west, and Nessen City to the east, each 2.9 miles away, while Cleon is 3.3 miles to the south.
Thompsonville's peak population was in 1900, the first year that it appeared on a census roll. At that time, there were 893 people. Since then, the village has experienced decades of sharp declines, as well as slight increases. Its population at the time of the 2020 census was 451.
European-Americans began moving into the area after Summer S. Thompson located his Thompson Lumber Company just south of the current village. However, when the railroad came through, he moved his base of operations to the current townsite in order to be near the railroad, and the village that resulted was named for him. However, some histories assert that the community was named for Stacy S. Thompson, a Manistee real estate agent.
The village grew up around Thompson's lumber operations and the construction of two railroad lines, The Chicago & West Michigan Railroad and the Frankfort & South Eastern Railroad, which crossed at that point in 1889. The Chicago & West Michigan was merged into the Pere Marquette Railway in 1900 and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in 1947, while the Frankfort & South Eastern was acquired by the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railroad in 1892, which became the Ann Arbor Railroad in 1895.
A post office was established on August 15, 1890, with Edgar E. Hunt as postmaster, and Thompsonville was incorporated as a village in 1892.
Early community leaders included Summer Thompson, Henry Ward Beecher, James M. Ashley, Sam Willis, Ella Diamond, Jasper Halleck, and Berga Lindy.
However, the village's early prosperity quickly declined when the timber resources were depleted, and the village suffered from fires and floods.
The last Chesapeake & Ohio train came through Thompsonville in 1982, and the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway, using the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks, was the last train through the village in 1991. The tracks have been dismantled, but the Diamon Cross between the two rail lines survived and was moved.
Today, Thompsonville is known for Crystal Mountain, a ski resort, and for the Iron Fish Distillery.
As the focus of this portion of our guide is on Thompsonville, government agencies, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities within the village are appropriate topics for this category.
Recommended Resources
Bestie Valley District Library
Located in Thompsonville, Michigan, the library holds about nine thousand materials, including books, audiobooks, movies, large-print books, magazines, and other resources, along with the Traverse City Record-Eagle, the Manistee News Advocate, and Benzie County Record Patriot. The library's location, hours of operation, library procedures, a calendar of upcoming events, and an overview of its resources and services are set forth. The Friends of the Bessie Valley District Library are introduced.
https://www.betsievalleydistrictlibrary.org/
Situated west of Thompsonville, Michigan, the ski resort features several ski slopes with various skill levels. Downhill and cross-country trail maps, webcams, and snow reports are featured, along with information on lift tickets and hours, lift ticket specials, ski group offers, season passes, races and competitions, trail passes, lessons, and programs, as well as its golf facilities, accommodations, and lodging options, including a full-service spa and fitness center.
https://www.crystalmountain.com/
Meeting at its facilities at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and 1st Street in Thompsonville, Michigan at 11:00 am on Sunday mornings and at other times according to its calendar of events. The address, directions, map, telephone number, social media contacts, and an online contact form are featured. Other resources include a statement of beliefs, a profile of the church, and a brief introduction to the congregation for those who will be attending for the first time.
https://www.thompsonville.church/
Founded in 2016, the Iron Fish Distillery is the first farm distillery growing grain and distilling spirits, and barrel-finishing sourced whiskey. Situated along the Betsie River watershed in the Thompsonville, Michigan area, the MAEAP-certified working farm is situated on a long-abandoned 120-acre farm. It's history, a gallery of photographs, and information about press inquiries and tours. A food and spirits menu is available, along with a calendar of events, a blog, and an online store.
https://ironfishdistillery.com/
Weldon Township, Benzie County, Michigan
The civil township is in the south-central part of the county. Approximately half of the village of Thompsonville is located in the township, and the township office is there. The official township website posts public announcements, schedules of upcoming events, and contact information for the township's administrative offices. Meeting schedules, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other public forms, reports, and documents are included, along with a guide to area activities.
http://www.weldontwp.org/
