History of Stronach Township
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Early Settlement
In April 1841, brothers John and Adam Stronach arrived by schooner to the shores of Manistee Lake. With them came workers, machinery, and the vision to build a sawmill on the Little Manistee River.
The first settlement was briefly called Paggeotville, but once the sawmill was established later that year, the community became known as Stronach.
By 1855, Stronach Township was officially organized as one of the original three townships in Manistee County. It also holds the distinction of being the first non-native settlement in the county.
old stronach
A Village of Mills
The heart of early Stronach was its mill. By 1850, the water-powered mill was producing more than 1.5 million board feet of lumber a year, valued at about $7,500 at the time.
01.
After the death of James Stronach in 1858, management shifted to Adam Stronach, who moved operations closer to Manistee Lake for easier shipping.
02.
In the 1870s, Paul Camine purchased the mills and shifted production to shingles. He also served as township supervisor until his death in 1883.
03.
In May 1885, a destructive wildfire swept through, destroying most of Old Stronach and bringing the original village era to a close.
facts & Features
Township Growth
Even as the original mill village faded, Stronach Township continued to grow and organize.
01.
The first local government meeting was held in April 1855 at James Stronach’s store.
02.
Early township officers included Supervisor Andrew C. Sherwood, Clerk John Stronach, and Treasurer Adam Stronach.
03.
Education also played an important role. The original Stronach School eventually consolidated into the Manistee City School District, with James Stronach recorded as the first school inspector in 1857.
new stronach
Modern Stronach Township
Today, Stronach Township covers about 55.7 square miles of land and water, with the Little Manistee River winding through to Manistee Lake.
01.
The 2020 census recorded a population of 834 residents, with 170 living in the census-designated community of Stronach.
02.
Much of the township lies within the Huron–Manistee National Forest, making it a hub for recreation and wildlife.
03.
The Stronach Rail Bridge, built in 1887, still stands as a piece of history, carrying trains on original wooden abutments.
Honoring the Past, Living the Present
From sawmills and schooners to trails and forests, Stronach Township has always been shaped by its natural surroundings and the resilience of its people.
Our community honors its history while looking forward to the future—rooted in tradition, strengthened by neighbors, and surrounded by the beauty of Northern Michigan.
Older photos courtesy of Manistee County Historical Museum