Williamston is a city in Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As such it is very near Lansing, the capital of Michigan. It is also very near East Lansing, the home of Michigan State University. Proximity to these larger cities gives it the advantages of nearby well paying jobs and the ability to live in a small town. It is well known for its antiques markets and its quaint, small town feel. Many of the buildings in downtown date from the 19th Century when the town was populated and built.
Williamston is adjacent to exit 117 from I-96 which makes it easy to travel from Williamston to most other areas of the state. The main street, running east-west through town, is Grand River Avenue which is also M-43 at this point. Larger shopping centers such as the Meridian Mall are 7 miles west on Grand River Avenue. The Red Cedar River, a tributary of the Grand River, passes through town and was a primary reason for the town's founding at its current location. The center of town is about 2 miles north of the expressway, and just south of the Red Cedar River. Beautiful Lake Lansing is nearby and is approximately 500 acres (2.0 km2) in size. The lake has an outstanding beach, and is a summer favorite of swimmers, sunbathers, boaters and fishermen.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 km2 (2.6 mi2). 6.6 km2 (2.5 mi2) of it is land and 0.1 km2 (0.04 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 1.17% water.
The economy is primarily that of a residential town where many people commute to local, larger towns such as Okemos, East Lansing and Lansing where much of the employment is. Though once very central to the economy, the prominence of farming in the community has declined recently and very little farmland it is within the city limits any more. Much of the surrounding area is still devoted to farming. Many services and restaurants are available for the city's residents. There are also a number of shops in the downtown area such as antiques that draw people from all over the area. In addition there are a number of industrial parks, designed to take advantage of the city's proximity to the major highways and cities in the area.
Other local draws include the two golf courses, the Brookshire, a 18 hole championship golf course, with a number of holes along the Red Cedar River, and the Wheatfield Valley golf course on the south side of town near the expressway.
Williamston was first settled by Hiram and Joseph Putnam in 1834, who moved here from Jackson, Michigan. One of the main streets through town, Putnam Street, is named after them while it is within the city limits. It continues as Williamston Road both north and south of the city. Interestingly, for many years the spelling of several of the street signs in town were misspelled as Putman, making it unclear as to the correct spelling of the family and street name. The Putnams sold their land to Oswald B.,James M., and Horace B. Williams in 1839, three brothers who came here from Batavia, New York. James M (sometimes called Miles) Williams built a dam, saw mill and later a grist mill here, eventually platting the land in 1845, naming the town "Williamstown" after himself. It is unknown how the town lost the "w" in the name. The town was a popular stop on the Grand River trail (and later the Plank Road) from Detroit to Lansing in the 19th century. The route of that trail and plank road is now Grand River Avenue (M-43 through Williamston). The primary means of transportation was the horse and buggy and the trip from Detroit to Lansing would take more than one day, and Williamston was conveniently located as an overnight stop on that trip from the State capital to the most populace city. 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 for the area was published for the City's centennial celebration in 1971, with many photographs and anecdotes of the early city and its inhabitants. There were earlier histories published in 1963, the 1930s and in 1880 (see reference below) as well.
Source:
WilliamstonMichigan.com
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