BROOKS TOWNSHIP HISTORY

Water features, including the Muskegon River, Hess, Brooks, Emerald, Sylvan, and Pickerel Lakes, have played a significant role in the history of Brooks Township.

Prior to European settlement, ancestors of the Ottawa Indians were fur trappers, capitalizing on water-dependent animals, such as beaver. Historical remnants of the Indians can still be found in Brooks Township. Ancestors of the Ottawa Indians left burial grounds, now called Mallon Mounds, located near Brooks Lake.

Also prior to European settlement, there were...

large prairie openings of 600-1500 acres. Surrounding these openings were barrens, “park-like” areas with trees. Dense forests covered much of the remainder of the township. The frequency of fires, along with soils,

determined where prairies, barrens, and

forests grew.

Brooks Township Land Use Vision

Before 1837, lumbering was established in Newaygo County as a major economic activity. The forests of Brooks Township were tapped for their woodland resources.

Later, area settlers attempted to capture the hydrologic energy afforded by the flow of the Muskegon River. Consumers Power Company played a significant role in this effort. One of its achievements most commonly recognized is the Croton Dam, instituted in 1907.

Emerald and Sylvan Lakes also added another economic attraction to area. Marl, found on the bottom of the lakes and used in production of cement, helped to attract the Newaygo Portland Cement Company in 1900.

The river and the lakes also attracted people pursuing recreation and proximity to natural resources. This formed the basis of tourism in the area and the building of cottages and homes along various shoreline areas of the river, tributaries, and lakes.

Advancements in technology, the development of the automobile and the extension of electric and other services, resulted in the establishment of many full-time residents in the area now known as Brooks Township.

Land Use Trends

The land use trends in Brooks Township, and the rest of the State, have been largely influenced by the land division laws. These laws have affected how land has been subdivided and used.

The series of maps on the following pages are plat maps, from prior 1955, 1955, 1982 and 1998. These maps show the division of land in Brooks Township. Highlighted are parcels 40 acres and larger. These parcels have been highlighted to show how land has been fragmented through ownership. Ownership also largely affects the use of the land.

Several significant land events occurred during the time period depicted by these plat maps. First, platting around the lake happened prior to 1955. Also prior to 1955, much of the land that was originally settled for farming that was not well suited for agriculture, was abandoned. This land reverted to State and Federal organizations and became what is now the Manistee National Forest.

In 1967, the Subdivision Control Act was enacted allowing 40 acres to be split into 4 without the formal platting process. This caused the creation of many 10 acre “bowling alley lots”, parcels with narrow frontage on county roads. Perhaps this had the largest affect on the changing character of the township.

BROOKS TOWNSHIP TODAY

Land Use Trends

Land Use Categories	1978 Land Use (acres)	1999 Land Use (acres)	Difference 1978 and 1999 (acres)	% Change	Annual Loss Or Gain (acres)
Single Family Residential	911	2,059	1,148	126%	52
Multi-Family Residential	---------	2	---------	---------	---------
Manufactured Home Park	27	34	7	26%	0.31
Commercial	32	34	2	6%	0.09
Public/Quasi-Public	132	132	0	0%	0
Industrial/Extractive	82	82	0	0%	0
Agricultural	801	305	-496	-62%	-23
Vacant Land	1,843	1,741	-102	-5%	-5
Natural Features	1978 (acres)	1999 (acres)	Difference 1978 and 1999 (acres)	% Change	Annual Loss Or Gain (acres)
Forest*	16,985	16,476	-509	-3%	-23
Wetlands	357	300	-57	-16%	-3
Water	1,495	1,500	5	0%	0
Total Approximate Acres	22,792	22,792