Orangeville Township

Today, Orangeville Township takes great pride in its fire department, its new town hall and its fine roads.

Its population of 3,321 (2000 census) is descended mainly from German, English, Dutch, Irish and Polish roots. It is still primarily an agricultural township with the rural beauty of standing farms and grain fields. But, it is a township mindful of its rich, again mature, forest land, and its water resources including the south section of East Gun Lake, The Gun River and Fish Lake. It still holds claim to the tiny Orangeville Island, affectionately known as "Sandy Island" where families anchor their boats to enjoy the sandy shallow water beaches to party.

Orangeville's glory days were the early 1900s. Then the slogan, "Come to Orangeville, the most prosperous place in Michigan," held sway. The settlement here began with George Brown in 1835. Isaac Fish would settle where the village would be platted with 71 lots in 1856. Soon the village portion claimed a blacksmithery and hardware store, a general store, a saw mill, a gristmill, a grade school, a wagon shop, a church, and the famous Dodge Tavern. The old stage road from Battle Creek to Grand Rapids ran through the eastern portion. The village was located on the Orangeville Creek which runs between the Orangeville Pond and the Gun River. Here the saw mill, essential for growth, took shape in 1851. Orangeville Township, sitting in the western boarder of Barry County was first forest wetland and hardwood forest with savanna. Too soon it was barren. Logging ceased. Homes were abandoned. Government money would drain the Gun Swamp and create the finest of onion marshes. Orangeville's early 1900s reflect this period. (Bernard, Bernard Historical Society)

Today, the community slogan is "Coming Together with Community Pride." The township is a pretty place. It's a good place for family, a good place to retire, and good place for recreation whether it be biking, hiking, kayaking, boating, or hunting and fishing.

Orangeville Township Hall
7350 Lindsey Rd.
Plainwell, MI 49080

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 48, Shelbyville, MI 49344
Telephone - (269) 664-4522 -- Fax: (269) 672-7189
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:00 P.M.