Williamston, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Williamston is a city in Ingham County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The city is at the southeast corner of Williamstown Township
, but is politically independent. A portion of Williamston was annexed from adjacent Wheatfield Township
. Downtown Williamston is located at the intersection of Grand River Avenue
(M-43
) and Putnam Street (Williamston Road). As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,441. Williamston is most notable for its antiques markets, and it has been promoted as a quaint, small town just outside the larger city of Lansing
. It recently renovated McCormick Park, which borders the Red Cedar River
in downtown Williamston.
.
The area was settled by Europeans in 1834 when Hiram and Joseph Putnam moved briefly to the area from Jackson
. They spent less than one full year in the area, planting and then harvesting one crop of oats. Today, inside the city limits, Williamston Road becomes Putnam Street, having been named in their honor. (For many years, several street signs inside the city were misspelled as "Putman Street", leading to confusion about the correct spelling.)
In 1839, the Putnams sold their land to Oswald B., James M., and Horace B. Williams, three brothers from Batavia, New York
. James M. "Miles" Williams, who built a dam
, saw mill and later a grist mill in town, eventually plat
ted the land in 1845 and named the town "Williamstown" after himself. It is unknown how it lost the "w" in its name.
The town was a popular stop on the Grand River trail (that later became a plank road
) from Detroit
to Lansing
in the 19th century. That trail is now Grand River Avenue
(M-43
) which runs through downtown Williamston. Because the primary means of transportation at that time was the horse and buggy
and because the trip from Detroit to Lansing took more than one day, Williamston became a convenient overnight stop.
The town was incorporated as a village in 1871, and later as a city on April 1, 1945. A later revised City Charter was adopted by the people effective in April 1963. This charter has been amended several times, but remains in effect today.
A history of the area was published for the City's centennial celebration in 1971. It included many photographs and stories of the early city and its inhabitants. There were earlier histories, as well, published in 1880, the 1930s, and in 1963.
The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem of Williamston are chosen by Council from among its members at the last meeting of each calendar year. http://www.williamston-mi.us/officials.html
In addition, The City also has a Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation, and a Planning Commission.
, the state capital city of Michigan
, and 11 miles east of East Lansing
, the home of Michigan State University
. The city is located two miles north of I-96
, which provides access to Lansing and Detroit
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), of which, 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.17%) is water.
The Red Cedar River
, a tributary
of the Grand River
, passes just north of the center of town. Lake Lansing
is also located in nearby Haslett
and is approximately 500 acres (2 km²) in size.
of 2000, there were 3,441 people, 1,470 households, and 905 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,351.2 per square mile (521.0/km²). There were 1,528 housing units at an average density of 600.0 per square mile (231.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.95% White, 0.17% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.70% from other races
, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.94% of the population.
There were 1,470 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,727, and the median income for a family was $51,014. Males had a median income of $38,375 versus $30,174 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,798. About 6.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
The modern economy is primarily that of a bedroom community. Many residents commute
to local, larger towns such as Okemos
, East Lansing, or Lansing, where most of the employment is located. The Williamston community was once very reliant on farm
ing as an occupation, however, its prominence in the community has since declined. Although there is no longer much farmland within the city limits, the surrounding area is still devoted to farming.
Today, Williamston is well known to the mid-Michigan area for its antiques stores and specialty shops in the downtown area. Williamston is home to two golf courses, The Brookshire Restaurant and Golf Course and Wheatfield Valley Golf Course, as well as the Actors' Equity Association
Professional live theatre, Williamston Theatre. It is also home to the Williamston Branch of the Capital Area District Library, restaurant
s like Spag's and Red Cedar Bar and Grill, D & W Fresh Market grocery store
-which replaced the Felpausch (Spartan) grocery store, the Sun Theatre http://www.suntheatrewilliamston.com, and numerous smaller store-fronts with everything from 'staples' like hardware and clothing stores, as well as the 'signature' boutiques, special interest shops and antiques dealers. The Meridian Mall — and other stores in Okemos — are about eight miles from the downtown area. The largest employer in the City is the Williamston Community Schools
with 170 employees.
Other notable businesses in the Williamston area include Habitat for Humanity of Greater Ingham County which has a "restore" and training facilities for staff and volunteers, Topliff's Tara bed and breakfast, and the Michigan Nature Association.
A store featuring only works created in Michigan, Yeetown, opened in July 2009. The store is located in Keller's Plaza and specializes in gift baskets.
Tractor Supply Company and Merindorf Meats (a butcher shop and specialty food store) have recently opened new locations inside the city limits near the industrial park
, all of which are designed to take advantage not only of the local population, but also of the city's proximity to I-96
(the major corridor between Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit Michigan) and the Lansing area.
. The schools consist of K-2 (Discovery Elementary and 3-5 (Explorer Elementary), 6-8 (Williamston Middle), and 9-12 (Williamston High School).
The private schools of St. Mary School and Memorial Lutheran are located in Williamston and nearby Williamstown Township, respectively.
known as the Red Cedar Jubilee. It typically begins the last week of June with a children's 'bike parade' through town, and ends with the Boy Scout
pancake
breakfast
on Sunday morning. Events of the Jubilee include a demolition derby
, duck race, and chicken
barbecue
, as well as other events and games for children of all ages. The proceeds from some of the events go to benefit local community groups. One such group, the Lions Club
, runs a food and beverage tent during the festival.
Artfest on the River http://www.artfestontheriver.org, was held in July each year at McCormick Park. The festival however, folded after seven years. The festival was scheduled to return in 2011, but was cancelled and instead slated to return in 2012.
The City of Williamston also sponsored a Labor Day 'Bridge Walk' annually. The former Mayor, Kenneth Zichi, led a group on a brief (1.5-2.5 miles) walking tour of town, pointing out sites of historic interest, and including a 'bridge crossing' of the Red Cedar River. Patterned after the 'Mackinac Bridge Walk' led by Michigan's governor, this was an opportunity to learn a bit more about the history and culture of a small town in Michigan, and enjoy the holiday.
On the first Saturday in December, the downtown hosts the annual Light Parade. Activities begin in the afternoon and culminate with a parade
of lighted floats and vehicles through downtown Williamston. Afterward, children are given a chance to meet Santa Claus
. Typically, stores and street booths sell hot drinks and musicians wander the street during the afternoon and evening. Occasionally, there is an ice sculpture or two spread throughout town.
In the Spring, Summer, and Fall, Williamston's Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation and City Government sponsor a weekly Farmers' Market
in the downtown.
athletic teams whose mascot are the Hornets. The school's sports teams are generally competitive in the area, and sometimes across the state. The high school's track
and cross country
teams are quite successful, especially in recent years. Coached by 2005 Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame inductee Paul "Coach" Nilsson, the boys track team won the state championship in 2001, 2003, and 2006. Nilsson led the boys cross country team to state championships in 2000, 2005, and 2007, while finishing runner-up in 2002, 2003, and 2006, and winning 7 consecutive regional titles between 1999-2005.http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/bxc/yearly.htm Additionally, the boys team currently carries the distinction of MichTrack.orgs "Best Division 3 Cross Country Team of the Decade" http://www.michtrack.org/Top%20Teams%20of%20The%202000s.pdf.
The high school's quizbowl
team won the Class B State Championship in 2006.
Ingham County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 279,320 people, 108,593 households, and 63,744 families residing in the county. The population density was 500 people per square mile . There were 115,056 housing units at an average density of 206 per square mile...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The city is at the southeast corner of Williamstown Township
Williamstown Township, Michigan
Williamstown Township is a civil township of Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan, located directly to the east of East Lansing. The city of Williamston is at the southeast corner of the township, but is administratively autonomous...
, but is politically independent. A portion of Williamston was annexed from adjacent Wheatfield Township
Wheatfield Township, Michigan
Wheatfield Township is a civil township of Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,641 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
. Downtown Williamston is located at the intersection of Grand River Avenue
Grand River Avenue
US Highway 16 , also called Grand River Avenue for much of its length, is one of the principal pre-Interstate roads in the state of Michigan. Before the creation of the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926, the highway had been designated M-16...
(M-43
M-43 (Michigan highway)
M-43 is a state trunkline highway in southwestern and central parts of the US state of Michigan. The highway runs from South Haven to Webberville along an indirect path through both rural areas and larger cities...
) and Putnam Street (Williamston Road). As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,441. Williamston is most notable for its antiques markets, and it has been promoted as a quaint, small town just outside the larger city of Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. It recently renovated McCormick Park, which borders the Red Cedar River
Red Cedar River (Michigan)
The Red Cedar River is a westward-flowing tributary of the Grand River in Michigan. Its source is Cedar Lake which is located in Marion Township in the southeastern corner of Livingston County, and it runs about through Okemos, East Lansing, including the campus of Michigan State University, and...
in downtown Williamston.
History
The location that was later to become Williamston started as the cross-road of the Grand River and Saginaw Indian Trails. It was first occupied by a small band of the Saginaw tribe of the Chippewa People which by the mid-19th century used the area as a 'summer village' (it was not used by them year-round, but they 'wintered' in the area that is now Meridian Township). They used Williamston for planting crops, burying their dead, and holding an annual spring gathering, primarily using the land just north of the Red Cedar RiverRed Cedar River (Michigan)
The Red Cedar River is a westward-flowing tributary of the Grand River in Michigan. Its source is Cedar Lake which is located in Marion Township in the southeastern corner of Livingston County, and it runs about through Okemos, East Lansing, including the campus of Michigan State University, and...
.
The area was settled by Europeans in 1834 when Hiram and Joseph Putnam moved briefly to the area from Jackson
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
. They spent less than one full year in the area, planting and then harvesting one crop of oats. Today, inside the city limits, Williamston Road becomes Putnam Street, having been named in their honor. (For many years, several street signs inside the city were misspelled as "Putman Street", leading to confusion about the correct spelling.)
In 1839, the Putnams sold their land to Oswald B., James M., and Horace B. Williams, three brothers from Batavia, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. James M. "Miles" Williams, who built a dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
, saw mill and later a grist mill in town, eventually plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted the land in 1845 and named the town "Williamstown" after himself. It is unknown how it lost the "w" in its name.
The town was a popular stop on the Grand River trail (that later became a plank road
Plank road
A plank road or puncheon is a dirt path or road covered with a series of planks, similar to the wooden sidewalks one would see in a Western movie. Plank roads were very popular in Ontario, the U.S. Northeast and U.S. Midwest in the first half of the 19th century...
) from Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
to Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
in the 19th century. That trail is now Grand River Avenue
Grand River Avenue
US Highway 16 , also called Grand River Avenue for much of its length, is one of the principal pre-Interstate roads in the state of Michigan. Before the creation of the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926, the highway had been designated M-16...
(M-43
M-43 (Michigan highway)
M-43 is a state trunkline highway in southwestern and central parts of the US state of Michigan. The highway runs from South Haven to Webberville along an indirect path through both rural areas and larger cities...
) which runs through downtown Williamston. Because the primary means of transportation at that time was the horse and buggy
Horse and buggy
A horse and buggy or horse and carriage refers to a light, simple, two-person carriage of the late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, drawn usually by one or sometimes by two horses...
and because the trip from Detroit to Lansing took more than one day, Williamston became a convenient overnight stop.
The town was incorporated as a village in 1871, and later as a city on April 1, 1945. A later revised City Charter was adopted by the people effective in April 1963. This charter has been amended several times, but remains in effect today.
A history of the area was published for the City's centennial celebration in 1971. It included many photographs and stories of the early city and its inhabitants. There were earlier histories, as well, published in 1880, the 1930s, and in 1963.
Law and government
Williamston is governed by a seven-member City Council, and an appointed city manager. The City Council is responsible for all legislative and policy-making in Williamston. Elections are held every two years for four spots on the Council; the three candidates who receive the largest number of votes are given four-year terms, while the candidate with the fourth highest vote total is given a two-year term on the Council. City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in City Hall, which is located on Grand River Ave. in downtown.http://www.williamston-mi.us/citycouncil.htmlThe Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem of Williamston are chosen by Council from among its members at the last meeting of each calendar year. http://www.williamston-mi.us/officials.html
In addition, The City also has a Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation, and a Planning Commission.
Geography
Williamston is located 15 miles east of LansingLansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, the state capital city of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and 11 miles east of East Lansing
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
, the home of Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
. The city is located two miles north of I-96
Interstate 96
Interstate 96 is an intrastate Interstate Highway that is entirely within the US state of Michigan. Its western terminus is at an interchange with US Highway 31 and Business US Highway 31 , on the western boundary of Norton Shores southeast of Muskegon. Its eastern terminus is at I-75 near the...
, which provides access to Lansing and Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), of which, 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.17%) is water.
The Red Cedar River
Red Cedar River (Michigan)
The Red Cedar River is a westward-flowing tributary of the Grand River in Michigan. Its source is Cedar Lake which is located in Marion Township in the southeastern corner of Livingston County, and it runs about through Okemos, East Lansing, including the campus of Michigan State University, and...
, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Grand River
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
, passes just north of the center of town. Lake Lansing
Lake Lansing
Lake Lansing is a lake in Haslett, Michigan just a few miles northeast of the state's capital city of Lansing.-Overview:Lake Lansing was originally known as Pine Lake, and was a highly popular recreation site in the early 1900s. The name was changed to Lake Lansing in 1927...
is also located in nearby Haslett
Haslett, Michigan
Haslett is an unincorporated community in Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place used for statistical purposes. The population was 11,283 at the 2000 census. Though it has its own school district and post office , Haslett is administered by Meridian Charter...
and is approximately 500 acres (2 km²) in size.
Demographics data from the Census of 2000
As of the U.S. CensusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,441 people, 1,470 households, and 905 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,351.2 per square mile (521.0/km²). There were 1,528 housing units at an average density of 600.0 per square mile (231.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.95% White, 0.17% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.70% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.94% of the population.
There were 1,470 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,727, and the median income for a family was $51,014. Males had a median income of $38,375 versus $30,174 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $22,798. About 6.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Commuting
Commuting is regular travel between one's place of residence and place of work or full time study. It sometimes refers to any regular or often repeated traveling between locations when not work related.- History :...
to local, larger towns such as Okemos
Okemos, Michigan
Okemos is an unincorporated community in Meridian Charter Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and does not have any separate legal existence as a municipality. Local government is provided by the township...
, East Lansing, or Lansing, where most of the employment is located. The Williamston community was once very reliant on farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
ing as an occupation, however, its prominence in the community has since declined. Although there is no longer much farmland within the city limits, the surrounding area is still devoted to farming.
Today, Williamston is well known to the mid-Michigan area for its antiques stores and specialty shops in the downtown area. Williamston is home to two golf courses, The Brookshire Restaurant and Golf Course and Wheatfield Valley Golf Course, as well as the Actors' Equity Association
Actors' Equity Association
The Actors' Equity Association , commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing the world of live theatrical performance, as opposed to film and television performance. However, performers appearing on live stage productions without a book or...
Professional live theatre, Williamston Theatre. It is also home to the Williamston Branch of the Capital Area District Library, restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s like Spag's and Red Cedar Bar and Grill, D & W Fresh Market grocery store
Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that retails food. A grocer, the owner of a grocery store, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells these "groceries" to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are...
-which replaced the Felpausch (Spartan) grocery store, the Sun Theatre http://www.suntheatrewilliamston.com, and numerous smaller store-fronts with everything from 'staples' like hardware and clothing stores, as well as the 'signature' boutiques, special interest shops and antiques dealers. The Meridian Mall — and other stores in Okemos — are about eight miles from the downtown area. The largest employer in the City is the Williamston Community Schools
Williamston Community Schools
Williamston Community Schools is the public school district for the City of Williamston, Michigan. The district covers in parts of Williamstown, Locke, Leroy, Wheatfield, Alaiedon, and Meridian townships.-Williamston High School:...
with 170 employees.
Other notable businesses in the Williamston area include Habitat for Humanity of Greater Ingham County which has a "restore" and training facilities for staff and volunteers, Topliff's Tara bed and breakfast, and the Michigan Nature Association.
A store featuring only works created in Michigan, Yeetown, opened in July 2009. The store is located in Keller's Plaza and specializes in gift baskets.
Tractor Supply Company and Merindorf Meats (a butcher shop and specialty food store) have recently opened new locations inside the city limits near the industrial park
Industrial park
An industrial park is an area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development...
, all of which are designed to take advantage not only of the local population, but also of the city's proximity to I-96
Interstate 96
Interstate 96 is an intrastate Interstate Highway that is entirely within the US state of Michigan. Its western terminus is at an interchange with US Highway 31 and Business US Highway 31 , on the western boundary of Norton Shores southeast of Muskegon. Its eastern terminus is at I-75 near the...
(the major corridor between Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit Michigan) and the Lansing area.
Education
Public education in Williamston and the surrounding area is provided by Williamston Community SchoolsWilliamston Community Schools
Williamston Community Schools is the public school district for the City of Williamston, Michigan. The district covers in parts of Williamstown, Locke, Leroy, Wheatfield, Alaiedon, and Meridian townships.-Williamston High School:...
. The schools consist of K-2 (Discovery Elementary and 3-5 (Explorer Elementary), 6-8 (Williamston Middle), and 9-12 (Williamston High School).
The private schools of St. Mary School and Memorial Lutheran are located in Williamston and nearby Williamstown Township, respectively.
Events of interest
A major event in town is the week long festivalFestival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
known as the Red Cedar Jubilee. It typically begins the last week of June with a children's 'bike parade' through town, and ends with the Boy Scout
Scouting in Michigan
Scouting in Michigan has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.- Early history :...
pancake
Pancake
A pancake is a thin, flat, round cake prepared from a batter, and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. Most pancakes are quick breads; some use a yeast-raised or fermented batter. Most pancakes are cooked one side on a griddle and flipped partway through to cook the other side...
breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast is the first meal taken after rising from a night's sleep, most often eaten in the early morning before undertaking the day's work...
on Sunday morning. Events of the Jubilee include a demolition derby
Demolition derby
Demolition derby is a motorsport usually presented at county fairs and festivals. While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of five or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another...
, duck race, and chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
, as well as other events and games for children of all ages. The proceeds from some of the events go to benefit local community groups. One such group, the Lions Club
Lions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
, runs a food and beverage tent during the festival.
Artfest on the River http://www.artfestontheriver.org, was held in July each year at McCormick Park. The festival however, folded after seven years. The festival was scheduled to return in 2011, but was cancelled and instead slated to return in 2012.
The City of Williamston also sponsored a Labor Day 'Bridge Walk' annually. The former Mayor, Kenneth Zichi, led a group on a brief (1.5-2.5 miles) walking tour of town, pointing out sites of historic interest, and including a 'bridge crossing' of the Red Cedar River. Patterned after the 'Mackinac Bridge Walk' led by Michigan's governor, this was an opportunity to learn a bit more about the history and culture of a small town in Michigan, and enjoy the holiday.
On the first Saturday in December, the downtown hosts the annual Light Parade. Activities begin in the afternoon and culminate with a parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
of lighted floats and vehicles through downtown Williamston. Afterward, children are given a chance to meet Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
. Typically, stores and street booths sell hot drinks and musicians wander the street during the afternoon and evening. Occasionally, there is an ice sculpture or two spread throughout town.
In the Spring, Summer, and Fall, Williamston's Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation and City Government sponsor a weekly Farmers' Market
Farmers' market
A farmers' market consists of individual vendors—mostly farmers—who set up booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, to sell produce, meat products, fruits and sometimes prepared foods and beverages...
in the downtown.
Sports teams
There are no major local sports teams, besides the Williamston Community SchoolsWilliamston Community Schools
Williamston Community Schools is the public school district for the City of Williamston, Michigan. The district covers in parts of Williamstown, Locke, Leroy, Wheatfield, Alaiedon, and Meridian townships.-Williamston High School:...
athletic teams whose mascot are the Hornets. The school's sports teams are generally competitive in the area, and sometimes across the state. The high school's track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
and cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
teams are quite successful, especially in recent years. Coached by 2005 Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame inductee Paul "Coach" Nilsson, the boys track team won the state championship in 2001, 2003, and 2006. Nilsson led the boys cross country team to state championships in 2000, 2005, and 2007, while finishing runner-up in 2002, 2003, and 2006, and winning 7 consecutive regional titles between 1999-2005.http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/bxc/yearly.htm Additionally, the boys team currently carries the distinction of MichTrack.orgs "Best Division 3 Cross Country Team of the Decade" http://www.michtrack.org/Top%20Teams%20of%20The%202000s.pdf.
The high school's quizbowl
Quizbowl
Quiz bowl is a family of games of questions and answers on all topics of human knowledge that is commonly played by students enrolled in high school or college, although some participants begin in middle or even elementary school...
team won the Class B State Championship in 2006.
Sources
- Durant, Samuel W. "History of Ingham and Eaton Counties Michigan". D. W. Ensign & Co. Philadelphia, 1880.