Song Written & Performed by Christine Martin
History and Growth
Carson City, Michigan, is a small community in Montcalm County with roots as a 19th-century timber and milling settlement.
Founding & Naming: Platted in 1866 by R. M. Abbott, Delia Miner, and Hiram T. Sherman, the town grew around a sawmill (1868) and grist mill (1870) built by Scott & LaDue. It was named Carson City in 1868 after Carson City, Nevada.
Civic Milestones: It incorporated as a village in 1887 and became a city in 1960 under its first mayor, John T. Hallett.
Economy & Healthcare: The community evolved from timber into an agricultural center and regional healthcare hub, highlighted by the founding of Sparrow Carson Hospital in 1936.
Carson City Today
Demographics & Location: Located at the junction of M-57 and Fish Creek, the city had a population of 1,120 in the 2020 U.S. Census.
Community & Culture: It features Carson City-Crystal Area Schools (the Eagles), local landmarks like the Caswell building, and the annual June Frontier Days celebration.
