About the Area

History

Amber Township’s Early Settlers

Amber Township was formally established on April 6, 1868, by its earliest settlers. These individuals had arrived to the area around 1860, from a community called Amber, which is located in the Finger Lakes region of New York state.

The settlers appreciated their new home’s many natural features, including plentiful timber, a large, fresh water supply, and quality agricultural land. Finding it to be very similar in appearance and climate to their former New York home, they named it Amber, as well.

Today, many of the roads and landmarks in Amber Township still bear these settlers’ names: Gordon, Hansen, Johnson, Dennis, Conrad, Pittard, Chilberg, and Chinnery.

A Growing Population

Many Native Americans of the Odawa (Ottawa) tribe lived near and along the Pere Marquette River. In the early days Amber Township had approximately 50 white settlers. By 1900, the combined population had increased to 1,062, and by 1940 it was around 1,460. The current population is approximately 2,600.

Farming and Industry

Farming was consistently the biggest activity in the area. Farmers sold their produce and products at marketplaces in Scottville and Ludington. In the late 1800s, the lumber boom also reached Amber Township and lasted until the early 1900’s and became one of the biggest industries in the region.

The Pere Marquette River was once relied upon to transport supplies to and from the Amber settlement. This role, however, was soon taken over by horse and wagon and eventually by trains — the first of which rolled through the township in 1877. Amber Township was home to Amber Station, a railway station important to the community — both for supply and passenger transport, and for the booming lumber industry.

State Recognition

In 1978, the U.S. government designated the Pere Marquette River, a portion of which stretches along Amber Township’s entire southern border, as a Wild and Scenic River. In that same year, the State of Michigan designated the entire Pere Marquette River as a Natural River.

As new industries and commerce blossomed, an increasing number of families and individuals moved to the area and established Amber Township as a pillar community of Mason County and West Michigan.

Present Day

Today, Amber Township’s population is approximately 2,600. The total area comprises approximately 28 square miles. Within the township, there is a total of 55 miles of roadway, including U.S. Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 31.

Along the U.S. 10 corridor, between Scottville and Ludington, visitors will find many of Mason County’s biggest and most popular stores, restaurants, and businesses, including Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, Meijer, Goodwill, and the county’s only movie theater. Amber Township hosts over 100 businesses. Currently, new businesses continue to open and experience success in the township; such as an Elk Farm on Conrad Road, an outdoor wedding site, and a micro-brewery with outdoor seating.

Since Amber Township’s formation, two of its most prized natural features are the Pere Marquette River and Hackert Lake. Today, the Pere Marquette River features many miles of unobstructed, free-flowing waters. It is known for its blue ribbon trout and salmon fishing, but is also great for canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Hackert Lake, which spans roughly 125 acres, offers a Michigan DNR public access site and boat launch, and is excellent for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating, and swimming.

The presence of these attractive natural features and the thriving retail corridor along U.S. 10, along with open land and space for settling, have made Amber Township a wonderful place for families to live and recreate, and for businesses to prosper.

Cemeteries

Amber Township has two quaint, rural cemeteries with available burial sites.  Rickey Cemetery is located on Conrad Road just east of Stiles Road and Towns Cemetery is located on Johnson Road between Stiles Road and Amber Roads.  Burial sites are currently priced at $200 for a township resident and $400 for a non-township resident. Contact the township supervisor for site availability and purchase.

Roads

Amber Township has nearly 55 miles of roadway within its borders.  With the exception of U.S. Highways 10 and 31, which are the responsibility of the Michigan Department of Transportation and the primary roads of Hansen and Stiles, which are the responsibility of the Mason County Road Commission, all road maintenance is paid out of the annual township budget.  Road maintenance includes asphalt, sealcoat, brining, gravel and slag, along with any road repair work, ditching, routine plowing, grading, pothole repair, crack sealing and tree trimming.  The Township uses the services of the Mason County Road Commission to handle the road maintenance.