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Bishop – Garfield Township

A historical map of Garfield Township, dated around 1881, showing various streets, plots, water bodies, and the town's boundaries, along with accompanying text about its first township meeting and election, and notable residents and officials.
A large white building with tall windows and a steeple on top, and a small tree in front of it.
Black and white historical photograph of a group of men on horseback and in carriages in front of a small house and trees.
Photograph of a newspaper clipping with text about the author's father's success in 1901, including details about a church built across from a store, and references to the Bishop and the Christian Reformed Church. The source is Times-Indicator dated 3.27.1969.

By Terry E. Waintz

The Bishop Post Office was established in March 1898, three miles south and two miles of Fremont at the corner of Croswell Ave. and 72nd. St. The office was located in a store owned by Garrit Dobbin in Section 19 of Garfield Township. Garrit Dobbin was the only Postmaster, and the office closed on April 31, 1901 when Rural Free Delivery started. The Bishop Post Office was named after Col. R. P. Bishop of Ludington, who was for some time a Congressman from the district in which Newaygo County was located. There was a small settlement at this location, including a church, a garage, a creamery and the store. The church was the Christian Reformed Church and the Parsonage was built next door. They were located south of the corner of 72ad. St. on Croswell Ave. on the east side of the road. The Bishop Creamery Company was on the north side of 72ed St., across from the Dobbin's Store and the garage was also located on the north side of 72d. Street. In 1917, the phone number of the Bishop Creamery was 247-1L-1S-IL ( 247 was the line number and one long - one short - one long - ring, was for the Creamery.) At this time the Haverman Bros. owned the Bishop Store and their phone number was 247 - 1S - 2L or one short and two long rings. Most of these farm line would have from 10 to 20 customers and sometimes even more, per line. The other three line at Bishop were 249, 364 and 371.

A two-story house with yellow siding and a porch, cars parked in front, and a staircase leading to the upper level, set against an overcast sky.
A scanned historical newspaper article with a black and white portrait of a woman, titled "Writer recalls his youth at Bishop Corner." The article is written by Gerald Dobben and discusses his childhood, family history, and local history of Bishop Corner and nearby areas, including references to Miss Nettie Nibber and Gerrit Dobben. Handwritten notes at the bottom mention "S.W. corner of Sec. 19 Garfield Twp Croswell and M-82."

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29 W Main St., Fremont, MI 49412

History Snapshot

Black and white photo of a boys' basketball team from 1919-1920, with nine boys and one adult in a suit standing behind them. The boys wear sleeveless jerseys with the letter 'F' on the front and shorts, some with knee-high socks and others with ankle socks, and hold a basketball with the year 1919-1920 written on it.

Fremont's Golden Era of Athletics: 1895–1946

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Hesperia

The Newaygo Republican

10 October 1870 

“In the midst of a fertile region, on a rapid stream which furnishes abundant water power, the chief village on the White River above its mouth, the rendezvous for the lumberman of the extensive lumbering country around us, and the trading point for the whole country north of us as far as the Pere Marquette River, Hesperia is destined, we fondly imagine, to become a place of no inconsiderable importance,”

Nestled in between Newaygo and Oceana counties and along the White River is the village of Hesperia, Michigan. Daniel Weaver (1811-1879) established the village of Hesperia and Thaddeus Waters (1835-1923) both established successful lumbering mills within the village. The White River, which once played a key role in the lumbering boom of the 1800s, is still a vital part of the community as a source of recreational fun.

For more information about Hesperia, please visit the Terry Wantz Historical Research Center at 29 West Main Street Fremont, MI 49412, or call us at 1-(231)-335-2221. You can also visit our website at terrywantzresearchcenter.com.

Historical black and white photo of a large wooden house under construction with many people on and around it.
Black and white photo of a dirt road with a white wooden fence along the right side, trees in the background, and a bridge crossing a small creek on the left. The words 'ENTERING WESPERIA A.C.I.' are inscribed in the bottom left corner.
Historical black-and-white photo of people gathered outdoors around barrels, with a man on a ladder in a tree in the background.
Black and white photo of a large barn with a striped pattern, surrounded by a grassy area with tree stumps, and an electrical pole on the left.
Black and white photo of a river with trees on either side and reflections on the water's surface.
Black and white photo of a street scene with a hotel and several people walking or standing in front of the buildings.
Black and white photo of a truck with a cargo bed, parked outside a building labeled "Hesperia Craf".
Black-and-white photo of a large wooden house under construction with many people on and around it.
Black and white historical photo of a mill and dam in Heperia, Michigan, with a wooden bridge and trees surrounding the water.
Black and white historic photograph of a small town street with buildings, storefronts, and vintage automobiles parked along the roadside.
Historical black-and-white photograph of a logging site with cut logs scattered on the ground, a body of water, and small buildings in the background.
Black and white photo of a river with trees on the bank. Several horses and people are in the background near the trees. The water reflects the trees and sky, and the image is labeled 'White River, Hesperia' in the bottom right corner.
Logo of the Dogwood Foundation with a stylized dogwood flower, a branch, and text.

We are grateful for the following foundations for their funding:

Fremont Area Community Foundation logo with stylized 'F' and text

Floyd and Betty Lou Head

Logo of Michigan Nonprofit Association with stylized text 'm.n.a.' and a right-pointing arrow, underneath the full name.
Seal of the Historical Society of Michigan featuring the Michigan's first capitol building with a tall tower, surrounded by the organization's name and the year 1828.

The TWHRC is supported by the Fremont Area Foundation,
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With Gratitude to the Dogwood Foundation
We are honored to receive continued generous support from the Dogwood Foundation for our 2025–2026 season. Their steadfast commitment helps make our work possible. Thank you for investing in creativity, community, and connection.

Thank you to the Fremont Area Community Foundation for their generous and continued support of the Terry Wantz Paper to Cloud Digitizing Project.

Thank you to the Floyd and Betty Lou Head Family Fund for their generous gift towards the Terry Wantz Paper to Cloud Project. We truly appreciate your investment in the Terry Wantz Historical Research Center and its continued success.