History of Reed City

History of Reed City

James M Reed, along with Willis M Slosson, FH Todd and Charles Higbe came to northern Michigan in 1856. Mr. Reed formed a business, J.M. Reed and Co, along with their surveyor Mr. Upton, they plotted an area originally given an Indian name, Tunshla, then Todd’s Slashing. The firm purchased more than 4,000 acres of land in Osceola and Newaygo counties. Reed City was settled in 1870 and was incorporated in 1875.

J.M. Reed donated the land on Park Street, as the city design was for Park Street to take you from one park to another. The city of Reed City became the county seat in 1927. The painting of Mr. Reed is displayed in the courthouse which is located on the land he donated on Park Street. In 1898 Mr. Reed and his wife passed away in their home on the same day, as they were both suffering from illnesses. They were married for 53 years.

1870 the Flint & Pere Marquette construction began, the tracks making their way to Reed City by 1872.The Grand Rapids and Indiana the north/south railway arrived in Reed City later that year, creating the ‘Crossroads’. Now instead of the lumber passing down the Muskegon River, a large portion of it is now held in manufactories, thus retaining the profits of the manufacturer within the area, establishing a home trade. The estimated cut of lumber in the county for the year 1883 was 37,000,000 board feet.

Reed City had about a dozen mills and factories, with lumber from logging needed for the shingle mill, flooring, sawmill, planing and box mill, wagon factory, doors, veneer and shutters. Many of Reed City’s downtown businesses and historic houses still showcase their wood floors made at Horner’s Mill at this location.