BARRY COUNTY
County Offices
220 West State Street
Hastings 269-945-1400
https://www.barrycounty.org/
Chamber of Commerce
221 West State Street
Hastings 269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
Panoramic Barry County is part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area with Hastings serving as the hub city and seat of county government. This region is dominated by dairying and farming activity but also supports a manufacturing sector. The primary natural features in Barry County are the many sparkling lakes.
Services
State-of-the-art healthcare is available close to home at Pennock Hospital, emerging as one of the most respected medical institutions in Western Michigan since its modest beginnings in 1923. Pennock Health Services is Barry County’s premier healthcare provider, anchored by the 88-bed hospital that has been recognized with the coveted Solucient “Top 100 Hospital” award. Pennock Hospital provides comprehensive medical care as well as a complete Health and Wellness Center, a drive thru/walk-in pharmacy, Homecare Services, a Family Birthing Center, a Sleep Disorder Center, a convenient After Hours Walk-in Clinic, and even retirement living. The Pennock State Street Center offers outpatient laboratory and radiology services, urgent care, and occupational medicine. The hospital is the largest employer in Hastings and infuses millions of dollars in annual salaries into the community. The staff of physicians maintains offices in Clarksville, Delton, Hastings, Lake Odessa, Middleville, Nashville, and Wayland. The adjunct staff expands medical coverage into such specialized areas as cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, pain management, podiatry, and sleep disorders. Other major hospitals are available within 20 miles in Battle Creek.
Students of all ages can look forward to a quality education in Barry County, where public and private schools offer small classes and individualized attention. Opportunities for a higher education are abundant in the surrounding metropolitan areas, including Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek and Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is also home to Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Kuyper College, ITT Technical Institute, Davenport University, and Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center. Kalamazoo offers the major public institution of Western Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University is approximately 50 miles away in Allendale. Barry County residents can access nearly any education level in any discipline at an institution within a reasonable commute from home.
Lifestyle
Historic attractions, rural serenity, friendly communities, urban amenities, and outstanding four-season recreation are some of the reasons that draw newcomers to Barry County. The 15,000-acre Barry State Game Area is a hunter’s paradise, while water-sport enthusiasts appreciate the recreational attraction of Sun Lake. Canoe and kayak liveries line the Thornapple River, while Yankee Springs Recreation Area invites exploration on multi-purpose trails through diverse landscapes filled with rich wildlife. Swim, boat, or camp at Gun Lake State Park. Enjoy the scenic Paul Henry Thornapple Trail or visit Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. The Michigan Audubon Society’s Otis Sanctuary is ideal for bird-watchers. Golfers can choose from nearly a dozen nearby golf courses, and equestrians will want to learn more about Spirit Farms Riding Center at the YMCA Camp.
Barry County invites new residents to a place reminiscent of yesterday, filled with picturesque farmland, rolling hills, quiet countryside, and friendly people. Colorful festivals and traditional celebrations dot the annual calendar with exciting dates to remember. History and architectural buffs will want to see the majestic courthouse and the lavish Queen Anne Striker House from the 1880s in the city of Hastings. Middleville showcases the Bowen’s Mills historical site and the dam on Thornapple River, while Hastings Township offers Historic Charlton Park Village Museum & Recreation Area. Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners is not far from home, displaying more than 140 classic and collector cars for a remarkable lesson in automotive history. The Delton area preserves more than 25,000 artifacts in the Bernard Museum’s seven-building historic village. From unique boutiques, a sprawling mall, and scores of restaurants to open space and country charm, Barry County has the right ingredients to continue its trend of growth and development.
Baltimore Township
Town Hall
269-721-3502
https://baltimoretwp.com/
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
The sheer variety of scenery and the natural beauty of Baltimore Township often come as a surprise to first visitors. The pristine countryside offers glimpses of hidden gardens, secret otter slides, shimmering small lakes, wild creeks, and a breathtaking canyon. Farming can be challenging on this terrain, though dairy herds and fields of alfalfa, soy beans, and corn seem to thrive. In spite of a modest population among the county’s townships, Baltimore claims the services of three school systems, a post office, library, and an “old time” store. Just off Cloverdale is a major environmental center with an auditorium that can accommodate crowds up to 250 and a state-of-the-art laboratory. The mission of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is to foster stewardship of ecosystems through the preservation, management, and restoration of species and natural landscapes. Nearly 800 acres of the township are protected from future development by conservancy agreements.
Carlton Township
Town Hall
269-945-5990
https://www.carltontownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
One of the northern tiers of townships in Barry County, Carlton is primarily rural and agricultural and features the scenic Thornapple River. Three lakes also offer public access: Lawhead Lake, Middle Lake, and Leach Lake. Welcome Woods Campgrounds is another asset of Carlton. Local commerce and industry is limited in this area along Highway M-43, although residents have quick and easy access to the amenities of Hastings. A major hospital, a library, private schools, county government offices, and shopping opportunities are all available just minutes from home in Hastings. Newcomers will find a quiet and friendly community where neighbors greet each other by name and outstanding recreational sites ensure four-season outdoor adventures.
Hastings
City of Hastings
269-945-2468
https://hastingsmi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
The city of Hastings is the commercial, educational, healthcare, governmental, and economic hub of Barry County. Recognized as one of the “best small towns in America,” Hastings charms visitors and residents alike with its friendly and lively community atmosphere. Quaint architecture from the past is being preserved and reused for new commercial projects, although some businesses have been serving customers for more than a century. Around the city, the countryside offers deep forests, rolling hills, lush farmland, and hundreds of sparkling lakes. Interesting museums, grand architecture, golf courses, and beautiful city parks are just a few of Hastings’ highlights. The Tourist Park even provides a marina, boat launch, and campground. The slogan “We treasure the old, progress with the new” is embodied in the contrast between the 19th century storefronts and the sprawling mall on 28 acres just west of town. Specialty shops, unique boutiques, antique dealers, and diverse restaurants ensure a convenient lifestyle and serve a regional rural population. Thriving tourism, proud residents, and responsive leaders are all factors that ensure the Hastings area will continue to revitalize, renovate, and grow.
Hastings Charter Township
Township Hall
269-948-9690
www.hastingstownship.com
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
The rural community of Hastings Charter Township lies near the center of Barry County adjacent to the city of Hastings. Primarily served by the Hastings Area School System, the township surrounds the city with rural charm and scenic beauty. The Thornapple River runs northwest to southeast, and parts of Leach and Thornapple lakes and all of Carter Lake can be found within the township’s borders. The abundance of waterways makes fishing, boating, and canoeing popular pastimes. Select landowners in the township even permit hunting on their properties. The township also features light industrial activity and commercial development in those areas nearest the city. Agricultural land still fringes the edges of the township. One of Michigan’s premier vintage parks is located Hastings Charter Township: Historic Charlton Park Village Museum & Recreation Area. Located at the eastern edge of the township, this re-created pioneer park features attractions and popular special events.
Middleville, Thornapple Township
Village Hall
269-795-3385
https://www.villageofmiddleville.org/
Thornapple Town Hall
269-795-7202
https://thornapple-twp.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
Nestled in the heart of the scenic Thornapple River Valley, the village of Middleville preserves a small-town feeling at the edge of a larger city. The Thornapple Kellogg Schools are considered by many to be among Michigan’s finest. Plays, concerts, and athletic events sponsored by the high school bring the community together several times a year. The housing in the village ranges from vintage homes on original plats to newer construction and multi-family options near the central business district. New homes and commercial development are on the rise in this growing area of Barry County. A number of thriving industries and businesses already call the village their home and enjoy the close proximity to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Lansing. The historic central district and the bustling M-37 corridor are the focal points of commercial expansion. The village claims five miles of the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail and the riverfront Sesquicentennial Park along with a 10-acre park filled with sports and recreation equipment and amenities. Thornapple Township, surrounding the village with rural beauty, is one of the fastest-growing in Barry County.
Nashville
Village Hall
517-852-9544
https://www.barrycounty.org/townships_villages_and_cities/VillageofNashville.php
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
The friendly village of Nashville is located about 15 miles from Hastings’ amenities and urban commerce. Further down the road are Battle Creek, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. Nestled along the panoramic Thornapple River, this quaint community offers a hometown setting for residents who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. Popular activities include fishing and canoeing along the river, golfing, playing tennis, basketball, horseshoes, softball, and winter sledding in village parks. Local restaurants are famous for home-cooked goodness. Medical professionals, a district library, and local businesses add to the convenience of daily life. Clubs, organizations, and volunteerism are all active in Nashville. The Maple Valley School District serves area youth with options for a private education in nearby Hastings. The historic Charlton Recreation Area and Thornapple Lake are both nearby for educational programs, recreational opportunities, camping, boating, fishing, and swimming.
Orangeville Township
Town Hall
269-664-4522
https://www.orangevilletownship.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
Proud of its agricultural legacy, rural Orangeville Township features a new town hall, well-maintained roads, and a responsive local fire department. This rural community claims many descendents of Germans, English, Dutch, Irish, and Polish settlers. The township is rich in history, fertile land, and natural beauty. Mature forests and excellent water resources add to the attraction for growth and development. The southeast section of East Gun Lake, the Gun River, and Fish Lake are popular sites. This area still holds claim to the tiny Orangeville Island, affectionately known as “Sandy Island” where families would anchor their boats to enjoy the sandy shallow water beaches when they arrived to party. The glory days were the early 1900s when the slogan rang true: “Come to Orangeville, the most prosperous place in Michigan.” Today’s community slogan is “Coming Together with Community Pride.” The township is an attractive and scenic place to call home, an excellent community in which to raise a family, retire, or enjoy an active outdoor life. Biking, hiking, kayaking, boating, hunting, and fishing
Prairieville Township
Town Hall
269-623-2664
www.prairievilletwp-mi.org
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
The sweeping expanse of Prairieville Township combines residential development with some of the finest recreational opportunities in the Midwest. The township derives the appeal of its rustic rural character to picturesque family farms and vast open space. The terrain is primarily flat with moderate hills and large tracts of forest and wetlands. Lakes dot the area, ranging from fully developed to partially or undeveloped. Five of the township parks feature lakes. Prairieville is popular with those who enjoy biking, hiking, water sports, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Healthcare services are available close to home, as are major shopping centers. With town, a medley of shops and services add to the convenience of daily life. Summer vacation homes, permanent homes, and limited apartments cluster around lakefront settings or nestled in pristine woods, most on large rural lots. A Girl Scout camp, the Michigan Career & Technical Institute, and the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame are local attractions. Every fall, Prairieville draws throngs of visitors to Farm Days with exhibits, entertainment, and the opportunity to return to the area’s rural roots.
Rutland Charter Township
Township Hall
269-948-2194
www.rutlandtownship.org
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
West of Hastings, rural Rutland Charter Township features rolling hills, the Thornapple River, Algonquin Lake, and fine recreational areas. Hastings and Thornapple Kellogg school districts serve the community, as does Kellogg Community College. The Barry County Expo Center, the site of the Annual Barry County Fair and other special activities throughout the year, draws regional visitors to the community. Although Rutland is home to a number of thriving industries, the community is largely residential. A portion of the Barry State Game Area lies in the southeast corner of the township, and a YMCA camp enjoys a prime location near Algonquin Lake. In close proximity to the hub of the county, Rutland is well-served by three major state highways and the newly created M-179 that connects to the US 131 Expressway. The county will, no doubt, continue to blend commuters with those who are employed locally as it moves forward into a bright new future.
Yankee Springs Township
Town Hall
269-795-9091
www.yankeespringstwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
269-945-2454
https://www.mibarry.com/
Known as the “recreational playground of Western Michigan,” Yankee Springs Township features the natural beauty of sparkling lakes and heavily forested land with lakes and streams. More than 20,000 acres of the township is preserved as part of the Yankee Springs Recreational Area for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, bicycling, and swimming. The state took control of the land in the 1940s and large portions have returned to the beauty of the original wilderness. Limited industry combines with hospitality and commercial development in the township, including a number of popular restaurants. Medical and dental clinics are available locally and Hastings offers a hospital for advanced care.
