Situated along Muskellunge Lake, which occupies much of the eastern portion of the community, Trufant, Michigan is in southeast Maple Valley Township, in Montcalm County.
Muskellunge Lake is a 134-acre body of water with a maximum depth of thirty-one feet. It drains south through a chain of lakes to Clear Creek and, from there, to the Flat River, a tributary of the Grand River. Leading from the lake, a stream forms most of the southern boundaries of the Trufant census-designated-place (CDP), while another stream roughly forms a large portion of its western boundary, with both streams coming together at the southern tip of the CDP.
Several other lakes are nearby, particularly north, northeast, and south of the CDP.
As an unincorporated area in Michigan, Trufant has no legally defined boundaries, but it is a census-designated place, for the purpose of the US census, which does have defined boundaries that may or may not conform to what is locally known as the Trufant community.
No major highways run to or through the Trufant community. Its main routes are Black Road, Briggs Road (which forms much of the northern boundary of the CDP), Kohler Road, Masters Road, and Stanton Road.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Trufant include Pierson, Sand Lake, Howard City, Lakeview, Stanton, Greenville, Cedar Springs, Morley, McBride, Sheridan, Belding, Edmore, Rockford, and Stanwood, while the unincorporated communities of Coral and Gowen are within ten miles.
Trufant is mostly in Maple Valley Township, although portions of Pine Township to the east, and a small area of Spencer Township to the south, are generally considered to be part of the community.
Trufant was named for Emery Trufant, who built the first water-powered sawmill in the area in 1872, and is recognized as its first settler. Edwin Russell built another mill nearby, in a place that became known as Russell's Mills.
A post office was established on December 11, 1871, with Joseph B. Hileman as postmaster.
Mr. Trufant sold his land and mill to Joseph B. Hileman and Jacob Hessler, who built a steam-powered mill on the site, and laid out the village in 1874, recording it in honor of the community's first settler on March 10, 1875. Trufant was never incorporated as a village, however.
Trufant did have a railroad depot, established along the Pere Marquette branch line between Greenville and Howard City, that served the area potato industry, with potato sheds located near the depot.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the small community and CDP known as Trufant, Michigan. Online resources for businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities within the community are appropriate for this part of our guide.
Recommended Resources
Situated on South Kohler Road, in the community of Trufant, Michigan, the restaurant specializes in Mexican cuisine. Its address is published on the site, along with its hours of operation, closure notices, telephone number, and Facebook page. Its menu includes favorites, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, chimichangas, soup, sides, drinks, and treats. Also available are a kid's menu and lunch specials. Catering services may also be available on request.
https://lacocinamexicangrill.weebly.com/
The rural congregation is affiliated with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). Located along West 2nd Street, in the community of Trufant, Michigan, the congregation meets on Sunday mornings, and at other times according to its notices and calendar of events. Its address, directions, and map are featured, and a link to a video of its most recent sermon is included. Other resources include an overview of its confirmation classes, youth programs, and other activities of the church.
http://stlctrufant.blogspot.com/
The cemetery is situated along the south side of West Stanton Road, west of Masters Road, just outside of the Maple Valley Township, Montcalm County community of Trufant, Michigan. The Find a Grave website allows visitors to upload photos of the grounds and of the memorials (headstones) of people interred on the grounds, as well as provided details, such as the dates of birth and death, cross-referenced with those of other family members. Virtual flowers may be uploaded to the site.
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1862/trufant-cemetery
