Eagle

George W. McCrumb is considered to be the founder of the village of Eagle. He was instrumental in getting the railroad to come there and gave 40 acres of land to the village. John Schott added 10 acres and the village was platted May 6, 1873. McCrumb built the first depot at his own expense.

The village and Eagle Township were named by David Simmon, a son of one of the first settlers in the township, Joshua Simmon, who served in the American Revolutionary War. Joshua Simmon was the first person to be buried in the North Eagle Cemetery, dying in 1840.

Eagle is named in honor of the Simmon's home residence in New York State.

The new village grew quickly, largely as a result of passenger and freight travel on the Pere Marquette Railroad. A hotel was built in 1879 to accommodate travelers.

At one time the village had a hardware, two grocery stores, drug store, blacksmith, washing machine factory, lumber company, barrel factory, apple drying factory and two gas stations.

The passenger and freight depot was dismantled in 1942.

For many years, Eagle had what was known as the "Best Little Fair in Michigan." The fair flourished until about 1956 when I-96 was constructed - through the middle of the fairgrounds. It was revived in the 1970s, aided by the purchase of land on Grange Road between Grand River and I-96.

Eagle Fair Days once again draws many guests on the first weekend in September following Labor Day - thanks in part to its 'Mug Bog' competition. The Eagle Inn also remains as a popular spot where village residents and guests alike can socialize and relax.

Historical information taken from the 1980 History of Clinton County; complied by Mrs. Carl G. Lietzke.