Chester Township, Ottawa County, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chester Township, Michigan
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Unincorporated community of Conklin
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Location within Ottawa County
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 Chester Township, Ottawa County, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Chester Township, Ottawa County, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ottawa |
| Established | 1839 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 35.82 sq mi (92.77 km2) |
| • Land | 35.63 sq mi (92.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0.19 sq mi (0.49 km2) |
| Elevation | 722 ft (220 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,096 |
| • Density | 59.3/sq mi (22.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 616 |
| FIPS code | 26-15300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626073 |
Chester Township is a type of local government area called a civil township. It is located in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. In 2020, about 2,096 people lived here.
Contents
Exploring Chester Township's Communities
Chester Township does not have any big cities or towns within its borders. Instead, it has several smaller communities and neighborhoods. These are often called "unincorporated communities" or "homeowners associations."
Historic Spots and Neighborhoods
- Conklin is in the southwest part of the township. It used to be a train station on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. Conklin got its first post office in 1887. Today, its ZIP code 49403 serves most of the township.
- Crockery Lake is a neighborhood for people who own homes around Crockery Lake. This lake is located near the center of the township.
- Harrisburg is in the northwest part of the township. It was once a train station on the Toledo, Saginaw and Muskegon Railway. Harrisburg had a post office from 1888 to 1907.
- Gooding is on the eastern border of the township, next to Sparta Township. It was also a station on the Toledo, Saginaw and Muskegon Railway. A post office opened here in 1888, named after Richard J. Gooding. The post office moved to the Ottawa County side in 1918 and closed in 1923. Today, Gooding Street is the main reminder of this old community. It runs across the township, passing south of Crockery Lake.
- Lisbon, about a mile south of Gooding, was settled in 1846 by John Pintler. It was first called Pintler's Corners Post Office in 1848. The name changed to Lisbon in 1859. In 1869, Lisbon became an official village. However, train lines did not pass through Lisbon, so it did not grow much. Eventually, it stopped being an official village.
Chester Township's Location and Nature
Chester Township is unique because it sticks out to the north from the rest of Ottawa County. It shares its western and northern borders with Muskegon County. To the east, it borders Kent County. Nearby townships include Polkton Township to the southwest and Wright Township to the south.
Roads and Nearby Cities
No major highways run directly through Chester Township. However, Interstate 96 is just a short distance to the south. The city of Coopersville is only a few miles southwest. Larger cities like Grand Haven are about 20 miles (32 km) to the west. Grand Rapids is about 15 miles (24 km) to the southeast.
Waterways and Lakes
The northern part of the township has the north branch of Crockery Creek. This creek flows mostly west and is a smaller stream that feeds into the Grand River. The southern part of the township has branches of Rio Grande Creek. These also flow west and join Crockery Creek near Ravenna. A small area in the southwest is drained by Beaver Creek, which flows south into Deer Creek. Deer Creek then joins the Grand River. In the southeast, Nash Creek flows east into the Rogue River.
The biggest body of water in the township is Crockery Lake. It is located near the center of the township, along Crockery Creek. The highest point in Conklin is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Crockery Lake.
Grose Park: A Place to Play
Grose Park is a large county park, covering 40 acres (16 hectares). It sits on the north side of Crockery Lake. This park offers many fun activities like swimming, fishing, sand volleyball, and picnicking. There is also about one mile (1.6 km) of hiking trails along Lange Creek. Grose Park received major upgrades in 2000. About 60% of the funding for these improvements came from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Important Information for Residents
Local Services
- Zip Codes
- Conklin: 49403
- School Districts
- Sparta Area Schools
- Kent City Community Schools
- Ravenna Public Schools
- Coopersville Public Schools
Population Facts
According to the 2020 Census, Chester Township had a population of 2,096 people. The township covers a total area of about 35.9 square miles (93.0 km2). Most of this area, about 35.7 square miles (92.5 km2), is land. Only a small part, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2), is water.
