Marlette

Established in 1856

Recollections of Early Marlette

The City of Marlette is located in the southwest portion of Sanilac County. In the mid-1800's a few settlers began coming to the area of Marlette, as a result of stories that circulated in Ontario, Canada. The stories told of tall timber and fertile soil that were almost free for the asking. In 1854 the first government claim was made on  the land which is known as section 2, town 10 of Marlette. In 1856 a committee petitioned the county board of supervisors to have a portion of Sanilac County set aside as a township. When it came time to name the township, it was decided to choose the name of a non-resident. A farmer from the area suggested Marlette because he had found the name "Marlatt" carved on the end of a log shanty across from his property. The name was carved by two brothers, who along with their mother came from Ontario, Canada to build a saw mill in the area but were unable to complete their plans and ultimately returned to Canada. "Marlatt" became Marlette Township. 

The first school was established in 1858 in an area home. Enterprising settlers quickly moved to construct what was to be named the Fitch School by the end of that same year.

Recognition of  Marlette as a village came in 1865, and was incorporated in 1881.

In the 1880's many businesses were established in Marlette including a lumber mill, grocery store, bakery, shoemaker, flour and feed store, and also a hotel. In 1886 the Marlette fire department was organized after huge forest fires, known as the "Great Fires" swept the area.

Telephone service first came in about 1890.

During the 1950's and 60's Marlette was then known as the Mobile Home Center of the World. Three trailer plants employed about one thousand people who produced more coaches than anywhere else in the world. Currently modular homes are constructed and distributed from the area.

Dedicated in 1951 was the Marlette Community Hospital by Governor Williams and deemed "one of the finest small hospitals in Michigan."

For many years Marlette had the largest concentration of pheasants in Michigan. Hunters and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the state traveled to the area to hunt and enjoy the beautiful birds. The large number of hunters depleted the pheasant population that today is beginning to replenish with the help of conservationists.

Marlette's rich soil produces crops of beans, corn, and sugar beets. Today in Marlette many people are employed by area factories, small businesses, sod farms, and also dairy farms. Many residents of  Marlette can sit back and recall days of old, and can cherish what those days once were.