Wellston, Michigan is situated south of M-55 (Caberfae Highway), between Manistee and Cadillac, in central Norman Township, in southeast Manistee County.
In Michigan, unincorporated communities don't have defined boundaries, but, as a census-designated place (CDP), Wellston has boundaries defined by the federal government for the purpose of the US Census, although they are without legal status.
According to the CDP boundaries for Wellston, M-55 serves as its northern boundary, South Baker Road and Stronach Dam Road are its eastern boundary, Pine Lake Road as its southern boundary, and Bessehem Road in the west.
Surrounded by the Manistee National Forest, the CDP encompasses Crystal Lake, Cranberry Lake, and a smaller body of water southwest of Cranberry Lake.
Incorporated cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Wellston include Kaleva, Eastlake, Harrietta, Freesoil, Manistee, Bear Lake, Mesick, Onekama, and Fountain, while the unincorporated communities of Dublin, Irons, Garletts Corner, and Brethren are within ten miles.
Travelers along M-55 might miss Wellston because, except for a few businesses along the highway, the locality's downtown area is south of the highway, mostly along Seaman Road. With a population of 246 at the time of the 2020 census, Wellston is an attractive little town, with its lakes, streams, and wooded areas.
This area of the Manisque National Forest is popular steelhead and salmon fishing along the nearby Manistee, Pine, and Pere Marquette rivers, and the forests attract a variety of outdoor recreationists and campers.
Little Mary's Hospitality House, which offers a free vacation to families with children fighting life-threatening or other serious illnesses, as well as families who have lost a child through illness, and terminal adults, is in Wellston.
Although the territory that became Michigan had long been inhabited by various Native American tribes, and later by Europeans and European-Americans, the area of Wellston was settled later than many other areas of the state.
While there were probably individuals residing in the area prior to that time, the town was founded by the Swigart Land Company, speculators selling land along the Chicago and West Michigan (Pere Marquette) Railroad, around 1885, when a railroad station was opened there. It was on the railroad's line from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, and about fifteen miles south of Kaleva.
On June 30, 1892, a post office was established and named for Adelmer J. Wells, who was appointed to serve as postmaster. The post office was transferred to Dublin, three miles south, on April 18, 1898, and renamed Dublin. However, on September 22, 1908, the Wellston post office was reopened, with Willam A. Martin as postmaster. The Dublin post office remained open until April 15, 1933.
The focus of this section of our web guide is on the community known as Wellston, Michigan. Governmental agencies, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities in Wellston are appropriate topics for this category.
Recommended Resources
Headquartered in Wellston, Michigan, the business includes its forest cabins and vacation home rentals, which are featured here, with photographs, and booking and cancellation policies, as well as its policies for renting its conference center, and booking guide services or guide trips. Also included is a fly fishing and tackle shop, open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. A children's coloring contest provides a chance to win a guided fishing trip.
https://manisteeriverlodge.com/
Meeting on Sunday mornings for Sunday School and worship services, on Wednesday evenings for services, and for Woman's Bible study on Friday afternoons, the church's facilities are on Pine Street in Wellston, Michigan. An introduction to the congregation's pastor is provided, and its address, telephone number, and email address are featured. Other resources include Scripture and information on getting saved, as well as an informational and inspirational blog.
https://fcwellston.wordpress.com/
Available for a night, a weekend, or a few extra days, the rental cabins are in the community of Wellston, Michigan, in the heart of the Manistee Forest, near the Tippy Dam, Little Crystal Lake, the Pine River, the Manistee River, and the City of Manistee. Its cabins come with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, charcoal grill, coffee pot, futon, air conditioning, stove, oven, and kitchen appliances. Its location is shown on a map, contacts are included, and local activities are listed.
https://thelazybearcabins.com/
Little Mary's Hospitality House
Little Mary's is a non-profit Christian ministry in Wellston, Michigan. Founded in 1982, the program offers vacations for families with children suffering from life-threatening or debilitating illnesses. Its history, mission, board members, officers, staff, and affiliates are listed, and its apartments and common areas are shown in photographs. An application may be downloaded from the site, and donations may also be offered. Contacts and a calendar of events are included.
http://www.littlemarys.org/
Featuring ten rental cabins, each with furnished kitchens, hot showers, and Dish TV, the cabin resorts are in Wellston, Michigan, in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, and near the Manistee and Pine rivers, the Caberfae ski hills, Lake Michigan, Traverse City, and other attractions. Rates for its small, medium and large cabins are posted, along with special offers, photographs of each, a list of amenities, guest reviews, and a map showing its location. Contacts are included.
https://www.northwoodscabins.com/
Situated on the northern shores of Sand Lake, in the community of Wellston, Michigan, the campground includes a sandy swimming beach, and the grounds are about fifteen minutes from the Pine National Scenic River and several other lakes in the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Featuring coin showers, flush toilets, and drinking water faucets, the lake itself is about fifty acres in size, and mostly shallow, and the campground is wooded. Directions and reservation rules are included.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233715
