Fife Lake DDA

Fife Lake History

It all started in 1872…

In 1872, J.L. Shaw and others platted two small settlements on a lake on the new Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. These were known as North Fife Lake and Fyfe Lake (a misspelling of Fife), which were on the north and west sides of Fife Lake, respectively. Later that year, Fife Lake Township was created. The first church in the village was established in 1884. In 1889, Fife Lake was incorporated as a village.

Black and white photo of a vintage brick building labeled 'City Hotel' with nine people standing on the front steps and around it, dressed in early 20th-century attire.
A flyer for the Village of Fife Lake Downtown Development Authority 2000 Calendar, titled "A New Millennium," honoring a streetscape project to improve the business district, with details of a streetscape project by Patricia Aldridge Kipfmueller and
A document titled 'Village of Fife Lake Downtown Development Authority' outlining concepts, goals, streetcape project, and end results for a business district improvement plan, including marketing, shopping environment, safety, pedestrian movement, a
A grant proposal document titled 'Streetscape Project Funding' for a Michigan Department of Transportation program, detailing budget, funding sources, and community engagement activities.
Sketch of the Fife Lake Museum building with snow on the ground and trees in the background. A sign reading 'Fife Lake Museum' is on the side of the building. Below the sketch, there is a caption about the community hall's history of hosting basketba
Line drawing of a small town street scene featuring the City Hotel and the Hobbs House with buildings, steps, utility poles, and a car on the street. The caption reads, 'The City Hotel and the Hobbs House were popular places to stay in Toe Lake.'
Line drawing of a small town street with shops, trees, and a gazebo. Text below notes it is from the 1940s or 1950s after Labor Day.
Line drawing of the old Fife Lake Women's Club building with a sign above the door, surrounded by trees and utility poles, with handwritten notes at the bottom describing the building's history and location.
A black and white sketch of an old school house on a hill overlooking a lake, with children and a teacher standing in front, and a handwritten caption describing the scene.
Black and white sketch of a Chevrolet car dealership with three women standing outside. Signage includes "Voice Bros. Auto Sales" and other related signage. Trees and buildings are in the background. Handwritten note at the bottom mentions the dealer
A black and white drawing of a public beach with trees, benches, and a grassy area, viewed from the water. There is a caption at the bottom that reads, "The public beach with the 'Big Tree' was where many of us lived during the summers of our childho
Line drawing of Fife Lake, Michigan, showing a lake with trees on both sides and mountains in the distance. The text at the bottom reads 'Behind the Islands Fife Lake Michigan' and 'Fife Lake Village as seen from the south end of our lake'.
Black and white line drawing of a school building with trees on either side and a path leading to the entrance.
A black-and-white ink sketch of a street scene with large trees lining the street and buildings on both sides. Utility poles are visible, and the scene includes a small bench. The handwritten caption reads: "Looking east from the crest of State Stree
Black and white sketch of a two-story building with a balcony on the left side and large front windows; there are leafless trees in the background and a power pole on the right. Handwritten caption reads: "Ma Brown's Rooming house was full of hunters
Black and white drawing of a small rural gas station named Kelly's Service, with a sign saying lubrications, surrounded by snow-covered ground and trees. There are vintage gas pumps and a streetlamp, with houses visible in the background and a large
Black and white sketch of a street scene in the Village of Fife Lake, showing cars, trees, utility poles, and buildings, with the title 'Village of Fife Lake Incorporated in 1889' at the top.