The first mention of Chesaning in the written pages of history is the Saginaw Treaty, signed in 1819.

[4] This treaty was between members of the Saginaw Tribe, Chippewa Indians, and the government of the United States.

The first land was sold at $5 per acre to brothers Wellington and George W. Chapman, and Rufus Mason.

After making their land purchase, they traveled back to Massachusetts and moved their families to their new wilderness home by late summer of 1842.

During the months they had been away from their land, several settlers had moved into the area, building a dam and a sawmill.

The new settlers named their community "Northampton" in honor of the home they had left in Massachusetts.

However, the use of coal heating systems often caused major fires, which destroyed entire blocks of stores.

Luckily, Wellington Chapman donated $18,000, a considerable sum at the time, to the railroad to secure a rail line through Chesaning.

Education in Chesaning had its beginnings during the summer of 1843 when a small board shanty was built on the east side of the river.

The first school year was brought to an end when a heavy rainstorm flooded the building and sent the teacher and pupils fleeing to higher ground.

Many residents also subscribe to The Saginaw News, The Bay City Times, the Flint Journal, or the Argus-Press out of neighboring Owosso.

Chesaning is an important location for broadcasters in Mid-Michigan, with the community being home to three nearly 1,000 foot communications towers.

Flint's WJRT-TV and WSMH as well as Saginaw's WAQP have their antennas and transmitters south of Chesaning.

The location gives broadcasters the ability to transmit strong signals to Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, and Lansing.

Exceptionally strong local signals include WSGW, WTLZ, WKCQ and WILZ in Saginaw; WHNN and WIOG in Bay City; and WOAP and WRSR in Owosso.