History

Reed City's history is rich in agriculture, logging and petroleum. But the history of the Crossroads is undeniably one of the greatest strengths from which Reed City began and which will secure its formidable future.

From an 1860s history book:

"Upon the pleasant banks of the Hersey at the junction of the Flint & Marquette and Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroads is situated the prosperous and rapidly growing town of Reed City, and at present, the largest in Osceola County. The site chosen for this village was preeminently a good one. In the business portion the land is well adapted for business blocks, while around the business center, in the suburbs, are beautiful locations for residences.

No better location than this for a town could be found in the county, and none with a superior advantage. With the clear waters of the Hersey meandering around it, offering, in addition to its attractions as a water course, the best of facilities for manufacturing establishments; with the junction of the two great railroads that traverse the State, and the lovely rolling grounds formed to gratify every taste for the location of homes, and shade with grand old forest trees, it would seem that nature had left nothing more to be wished for.

While the track of the Flint & Pere Marquette was in process of construction, and early in the year of 1870, Devenport Brothers came here with a stock of goods and opened a general store. This was the first business house opened. Mr. Gibbs came soon afterwards and also opened a general store. He was followed by E. Trout, who opened a drug store. William Blank came along about this time with a stock of liquors and attracted by the business features of the new town, concluded to cast his fortunes with it.

About this time, the crossing of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad by the Grand Rapids & Indiana had been fixed at Reed City. This action of the latter company determined the future prosperity of the town and settled the question of its success, and from this period commenced its rapid growth.

Reed City village was incorporated in 1875. The location of the United States Land Office at Reed City was of great advantage to it, as it brought land dealers and facilitated the settling up of the country.

The location is extremely a healthy one, and malarial and pesilential diseases are unknown. The people are wide awake and energetic, and endowed with that great enterprise so essential to the building up of a great city; they are ready to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented which will increase their business or advance the interests of their town; they are also liberal-minded and hospitable.

With these elements in her citizens, with her splendid location and fertile country surrounding her, with her extensive manufacturing advantages, and ready transportation facilities, Reed City can only look forward to a constant and rapid growth and prosperous future."

Not much has changed since then ...

Osceola County History

Osceola County was named after Seminole Indian warrior, Chief Osceola (c. 1804-38), who fought the U.S. in the Second Seminole War in 1837. After defeating U.S. troops in several battles, he finally agreed to Gen.Thomas Jesup’s request to meet under a flag of truce to discuss peace. But Jesup captured him there and imprisoned him at Fort Moultrie, SC, where he soon died. Due to Jesup’s deception, Osceola’s name grew highly respected. Many towns and counties in the U.S. were named after Osceola as a protest.

The land that is now known as Osceola County was acquired through an 1836 treaty with Native Americans. The land was surveyed in 1838. In 1840 it was named "Unwaltin" after the Chief of the Ottawa tribe. It later became known as Osceola.

The first white settler to the area was Nathan Hersey, a fur trapper, who arrived in 1840, where later the town and river were given his name. The 1860 census shows only 27 residents. In 1869 the Village of Hersey was formed as the county seat. In 1870 Reed City was formed and the census indicates that the area had grown to 2,200 residents. In 1871 the Villages of Evart (now the City of Evart) and Tustin were formed. By 1874 the population had grown to 6,216 residents. In 1883 the Village of LeRoy was formed and in 1889 the Village of Marion was formed.

Delos A. Blodgett, a lumber baron, also settled in Hersey, contributing much to the area's growth. Another well-known figure of the area was Rev. George Bennard, author of the famous hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross."

Osceola county contains the highest point in the lower peninsula and is also known for trout fishing, with 5 rivers running through it: the Muskegon, Hersey, Pine, Middle Branch and Chippewa. Osceola County is fast on the grow, with tourism, auto and electronics manufacturing, oil and dairy production, and with the recently discovered potash vein - purported to be the richest in the world.

Today residents and visitors are still able to enjoy the County's many rivers, streams, trails, and wooded areas and enjoy Michigan’s great "Up North!"