1854

Sam Gilbert describes life in the Arcadia area: The area between Manistee and Grand Traverse Bay had only five white families with homes, two "bachelor roosts," and a number of Indian farms. One of them was a 40-50 acre farm that included much of what is Arcadia today.

1865

A few families settle on what they called Bar Lake (named for the sand bar separating the lake from Lake Michigan). The first: John Kirchmeyer and G. W. Boss.

1866

Henry Starke purchases his first parcel of land in the area. By 1883 he would own about 2,000 acres in northern Manistee county including much of the land in what would become Arcadia.

1867

More settlers arrive: Michael O'Rorke, Wm. Quimby, and Seymour Calkins

1870

Arcadia Township is organized. W. H. Cotton is elected the first Supervisor. Local industry: Farming, dairy products, and maple sugar.

A log school opens on the Manke farm.

1874

The Huntington & Co. steam-powered sawmill is built on Sprague's creek near Pierport (several miles south of present day Arcadia).