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.

1872

Pierport: "A warehouse has been built on the pier, and a white light is kept up. The light has an elevation of 24 feet from the water." -- Manistee Times. July 3, 1872

1874

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

Pierport: "The school house is already completed except plastering. It is built near Pierport P.O. and Perry's Pier and is 20 X 30 feet with 11 foot ceilings." -- Manistee Times & Standard. November 28, 1874.

"Arcadia can now boast of a store and tavern, [now] that Mr. H. W. James has his buildings completed at Arcadia Corners on the state road equidistant from Manistee to Frankfort." -- Manistee Times & Standard. December 19, 1874.

1875

Pierport: "The new school house at Pierport was built by C. W. Perry and presented to the district at $300. The building is lathed, plastered and well finished in every respect, and would ordinarily cost $600. ... The following buildings have been built in the last 4 months: Hull & Cole, 2 houses and one barn; E. A. Johnson, house and barn; C. W. Perry, warehouse; O. C. Patch, house; B. Crabb, blacksmith shop." -- Manistee Times & Standard. January 30, 1875.

1876

"Arcadia will build a new school house in District No. 1, 24 X 36 with a brick basement. It will be the first one in Manistee County out of Manistee City." -- Manistee Times & Standard. January 22, 1876.