Williamston, Michigan
Population: 2,900
Located in Ingham County
Williamston is located in Ingham County's northeastern corner along M-43, about two miles north of I-96. This historic town is situated on the Red Cedar River, and contains many well-preserved turn-of-the-century buildings. It is currently a popular visiting place for antique lovers, with many unique and quaint shops and stores in the vicinity. A park and dam on the Red Cedar can be found north of the main intersection. Williamston was first settled by Hiram and Joseph Putnam in 1834, who moved here from Jackson, Michigan. They sold their land to O. B. Williams in 1839, who came here from Batvia, New York. He built a dam, saw mill and later a grist mill here, eventually platting the land in 1845, naming it after him. It was incorporated as a village in 1871, and later as a city in 1944. Known for its antique stores, specialty shops and well-kept neighborhoods, Williamston manages to maintain its beauty and charm as the community grows. The downtown business district features many historic buildings and is centered along Grand River Avenue at Putnam Street, with the Red Cedar River flowing through the heart of the city. People are attracted to Williamston because of its quaint, small-town atmosphere. Yet, the city is only a mile from I-96, which offers convenient travel to jobs, colleges, entertainment and shopping centers. Williamston is located just five miles from the Meridian Mall in Okemos, nine miles from Michigan State University in East Lansing, and 14 miles from the State Capitol in Lansing. Many residents commute to other urban areas for jobs. The city is also attempting to expand the local job and tax bases with additions to its industrial park on the city's south side. Downtown Williamston consists of a variety of specialty shops and restaurants in historic buildings that have been well preserved. West of downtown is Deer Creek Park, featuring a sledding hill, basketball courts, and a running track, and The Williamston Depot Museum, a renovated railroad depot that houses the Williamston Area Chamber of Commerce and the city museum. North of the downtown area is McCormick Park, which is being redesigned to resemble an old English park and already boasts riverside benches and a playscape for children. On the Red Cedar River, where there was once a millrace and then a hydroelectric dam, there is now whitewater rapids, offering a challenging ride for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. There is also a riverside boardwalk for strolling. More wide walkways are being planned as the city tries to encourage pedestrian travel. The community also has an indoor public pool for swimmers near the high school. Williamston Community Schools now serves more than 1,900 children in grades K-12, according to the latest enrollment tabulations. The school district has two elementary school buildings, one for children in grades K-2 and the other for children in grades 3-5; a middle school building for students in grades 6-8; and a high school. The school district's Williamston Area Community Center offers additional programs, such as preschool, childcare, adult education, and a center for the area's senior citizens. With an area population of more than 10,000, Williamston is expected to add about 200 households in the coming years. Seven residential developments are being expanded and four new housing developments are planned. The community's annual festival, called the Red Cedar Jubilee, is celebrated during the third full week of June. This event, along with others held throughout the year, attract thousands of visitors to the friendly community. The city is named after the three pioneering Williams brothers who settled in the area in 1839 and built the community's first grist and saw mills. One of the brothers, James Williams, later served as Williamston's first village president. The land for Williamston Township was surveyed in 1824 and 1826, and it was set apart from a larger township in 1842.
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