Belding, Michigan

The community first was known as Broas Rapids, later Patterson Mills and even, during logging days, as Hog Wallow.

Built in 1906, the Belrockton is the last remaining boarding house of the three provided by the Belding Brothers and Company for its single female workers.

Providing accommodations for one hundred residents and staff, the Belrockton Dormitory, a Classical Revival-inspired building, was erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars.

Following the closing of the company's silk mills in 1935, the "Bel" served as a residential training center for the National Youth Administration.

Belding's first public library was organized in 1890 by a group of civic-minded women who were members of the Ladies Literary Club.

A meager collection of books, some from personal libraries and some purchased from funds raised through strawberry festivals, 25¢ suppers, and subscription drives, was housed in a room above a store on west Main Street.

On March 21, 1917, the Belding City Council accepted his offer and agreed to maintain the building in like beauty and form as a library for all time.

At its peak, Belding's population would swell to approximately 100,000 temporary 'residents' during Macker weekends.

Map of Michigan highlighting Ionia County