St. Johns

Even though the first settlers began arriving in Clinton County in the early 1820s, St. Johns was not established until 1856 after land speculators with information about the location of a new railroad had selected the site in 1854 as a depot stop along the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad.

The fledgling village grew and prospered as enterprising men like R.M. Steel, Gen. O.L. Spaulding, and John Hicks built and developed manufacturing facilities and professional and commercial businesses.

There are several versions on the naming of St. Johns, but all involve the same men who were there at its start: John Swegles, George Estes, Elder C.A. Lamb, David Sturgis and George Mead. After discarding Johnsville, Sweglesville, Meadville, etc., the name 'St. Johns' was suggested and adopted.

The railroad spurred the growth of St. Johns which was platted March 25, 1856. The first carload of wheat forwarded to the village by rail was shipped by John Hicks in 1857, and a variety of retail and commercial businesses soon occupied what would become Clinton Avenue which remains the main thoroughfare in the downtown business district.

The village of St. Johns was incorporated in September 1857, and by 1860 it was embroiled in its first controversy - the relocation of the county seat from DeWitt to the present-day Courthouse Square near downtown. With that move came something of special interest to some folks yet today - a newspaper, the Clinton Republican, opted to relocate in St. Johns. It is the forerunner of today's Clinton County News.

Early industry in St. Johns was represented by a sawmill, grist mill, foundry, carriage shops, sash and door manufacturers and spring and mattress factory. The St. Johns Table Company, established as the St. Johns Manufacturing Company in 1858, was the largest enterprise and flourished until 1905 when lumber became scarce in the area and it moved to Cadillac.

George Emmons also holds a spot in the early history of the village, although he is somewhat unlike other village founders who were linked to the railroad and business enterprises. An established farmer in Bingham Township, Emmons sold land in an area south from State Street as far as Park Street and from Lansing Street which came to be known as "Emmonsville." He also owned land further south, known as Emmon's Woods, which is today's St. Johns City Park.

Beyond the town's initial boundaries other 'subdivisions' were developed by men whose names remain highly visible - on street signs - Gibbs, Walker, VauConsant and Steel among others. The Walkers owned and developed many building lots, while R.M. Steel is known for a landmark building in downtown St. Johns which no longer remains - the Steel Hotel.

It was considered a premier hotel upon its opening in 1887 - and its loss as a result of fire March 28, 1975 was mourned by many area residents who grew up seeing the venerable structure anchor the northwest corner of Clinton Avenue and Higham Street.

The railroad continued to play a large part in the everyday life of St. Johns after the turn of the century and through the mid 1950s when passenger service was discontinued. Rail service was stopped entirely when Central Michigan Railway abandoned the line from Owosso to Ionia in 1992, and it was officially terminated two years later.

There is 'new life' in the old Grand Trunk Depot building, following its purchase by the city and subsequent renovations. The Depot Art Center offers classes for budding artists, hosts special events and activities and has become an ‘anchor’ for the north end of the downtown business district along with Brigg’s Public Library..

Churches played a prominent part in the development of St. Johns. Among the oldest congregations are the Baptist, Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal and Catholic. All have had houses of worship at various locations over the years.

The first school offered was in a private home in 1855. A public school was built the following year at the present site of the Episcopal Church on Walker Street. The Union School, a three-story brick building, was constructed in 1865 and used until 1884 when it was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by Central School - another landmark which stood until its forced demolition in 1999.

Changes in the city's municipal structure includes its separation from Bingham Township in 1905 when it became a fourth class city with a new charter, and adoption of a commission-manager form of government in 1919. In recent years, the city has annexed land from the township on the south, east and north sides, and has purchased additional property on the south and north - most notably for the St. Johns Industrial Park where companies like M&M Distributing, Barnard Manufacturing, and the recently opened Save-A-Lot distribution center provide jobs for area residents.

Businesses continue to flourish across the city, from the new Hungry Howie’s at the head of Clinton Avenue across from the Courthouse to the newly renovated and enlarged Kroger store on BR-127 in the Southgate Shopping Center. The Southpoint Mall is home to L&L, along with other retail establishments and office and professional businesses.

Among the many significant events in the city's development are the construction of Clinton Memorial Hospital in 1927; formation of the St. Johns City Park in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a works project during the Great Depression; and the growth and expansion of industries like Federal-Mogul, Dana (Sealed Power), Saylor-Beall, and the F.C. Mason Company.

Historical information taken from the 1880 and 1980 Clinton County History.

Briggs Public Library
108 E. Railroad
St. Johns    224-4702