Dryden village was started in 1836 one mile north of where it now stands, but about 1839 Jonathan Sweet built a store at the present 4 corners. Some 6 years later John Lamb bought that property and his business operations laid the foundation for the
present village. For some time the place was called Lamb’s Corners. Sanford Maynard, one of the brothers who earlier started the mill, sold to his brother in 1846 and came to the village where he built a hotel and blacksmith shop. In 1854 the Dryden Exchange was built by E.H. Baker. The Twin Elms House was built in 1874 by Joseph Dowd and after a few years was bought by D. C. Bacon. Bacon was a pioneer of Almont and Dryden, a son-in-law of John M. Lamb, and ran the hotel for many years.

One of the earlier business enterprises was the fruit drying plant of Darwood & Lamb. Joseph Darwood established it in 1876 to dry apples; it burned in 1881 and was rebuilt by the 2 men. The first mill was built by Mr. Neiley on the southwest corner of Mill and north Streets, which is why it is called Mill Street. The first blacksmith shop was just south of the Parker Block, run by Ben Randolph. There were a couple wagon shops, one on the east side of Mill run by Benny Shinn which was 2-story, with wagons run down to the ground on a bridge. San early shoe store was run by James D. Brophy. Owners of the various stores and service establishments changed regularly. There was a broom and ink factory run by Charlie Darling. A soap factory run by John Weaver was west of the depot.

The large 3 story wooden store on the north side of Main Street was built in 1881 by P. M. Ulrich, who also had the first telephone installed in his home in 1906. Ulrich sold the store to John Heenan, and the 3rd floor was the Masonic Hall. A small building to the west was run by Heenan as a bank. The Dryden Exchange hotel on the northeast corner of Main and Mill burned in 1889 and Sam Utley erected the brick building now thereon, with the east half used for at least two banks. At the east end of that block, north side was the Hacker store and all buildings between those on either end were burned in 1934. The P.O. &N. railroad came through the village in 1883, running between Pontiac and Caseville. Joseph Manwaring was a long time merchant, including drugs, starting about 1860. P.B. Anderson had a shoe and repair store for years, starting in 1862. In 1883 a new elevator on the railroad was being completed and wheat was bought by Elijah Bartlett. On July 4, 1897 the elevator and grist mill owned by George R. Lamb was burned, and in December 1898 Robert Booth had completed his new elevator: however, he sold it in 1906 to Mr. McCollum of Cass City.    

    Electricity came to the village in 1915, through Dryden Electric Company, with Edison putting up poles and lines: the street lights were turned on October 8. The same year the old Darwood evaporator was torn down. Dryden was hit by the nationwide fly epidemic. In the middle of March 1919 all business places were closed, with orders taken by phone and handed to customers at the door.

dryden is still a small community today, but is full of splendor. The many wonderful parks and trails within it's boundaries makes it a wonderful place to explore. one of the founding townsman, general squire, donated an exceptional piece of land to the community of dryden which has been designated as General Squire county park.

Another location to sit back and enjoy the beauty is the seven ponds nature center. you can swim in it's lakes or take a leisurely canoe trip down one of the streams. if you like cross-country skiing, biking or just walking, there are trails for your use.

Dryden is also known for its abundant and beautiful horse farms, many of which are opened to the public.  it is quite often when horse and rider are seen out on the public roads and it's quaint to read the street signs posted to indicate that horse and rider have the right of way.

dryden has many businesses and mercantile shops to visit, along with a museum that is located in the historic depot. also a must see is the honey flow vineyard and bee farm where grapes are grown for homemade wines.

Located northwest of almont off of M53,  follow dryden road west into this beautiful community and enjoy the many gifts it has to offer its visitors.