Onondaga, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Onondaga, Michigan
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 Onondaga, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Onondaga, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ingham |
| Township | Onondaga |
| Settled | 1870 |
| Elevation | 902 ft (275 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49264
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| Area code(s) | 517 |
| GNIS feature ID | 634074 |
Onondaga is a small, unincorporated community in the state of Michigan, in the United States. It's located within Onondaga Township in Ingham County. Since it's unincorporated, Onondaga doesn't have official borders or population numbers. However, it does have its own post office with the ZIP Code 49264. This ZIP Code covers most of Onondaga Township. It also includes smaller parts of Hamlin Township to the west and Tompkins Township to the south.
The community sits along the Grand River. It's about 20 miles (32 km) south of Lansing. Onondaga is also about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Jackson.
Contents
History of Onondaga
Early Settlement and Naming
People from Europe and America started settling in the Onondaga area in the mid-1800s. Most of these early settlers came from places like New England and New York. The township and community were named after the Onondaga nation. This is a group of Iroquois people who historically lived in New York.
First Businesses and Growth
The first post office in Onondaga opened around 1844. Perez Howland was the first postmaster. In 1847, Mr. Howland built a grocery store. The post office was run from inside this grocery. Later, a man named Cyrus Baldwin bought the building. He turned it into the "Onondaga Hotel."
The first important store in the area was started in 1867 by John Sherman. The official map, or "plat," for the village of Onondaga was created on July 13, 1870. John Sherman and others helped plan this layout. Some buildings were already there, but the town really started to grow after this time.
Railroad and Development
Around 1870, the Grand River Valley division of the Michigan Central Railroad was built through Onondaga. This railroad brought more settlers and new businesses to the town. John Sherman even donated land for the train depot. This helped the community grow even more.
Community Life and Modern Connections
The first church in Onondaga was built in 1877. It was called the First Congregational Church of Onondaga. Today, Onondaga is also important for television. It is the official "city of license" for Lansing's NBC TV station, WILX-TV. The station's transmitter, which sends out its signal, is located just west of the community.
