In 1836, Connecticut businessman William H. Imlay began purchases areas of the forest here, and when the township was organized in 1850, it was named after him.

In 1870, the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad began building rail lines through the area, and chief engineer Charles Palmer purchased land in order to build a market and hotel.

A post office began operating here on December 12, 1870 with Edward Palmer serving as the first postmaster.

As the company grew, it added hams and pickles for the city’s polish community.

Still a vital part of the Imlay City community, Vlasic maintains a presence in the state as well.

The cucumbers used in Vlasic pickles are grown in Michigan, in the cities of Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo.

It was constructed on the funds Ruth E. Hughes left for the Township Library through her will upon her death in March 1985.

The Imlay City Historical Museum was established in 1978 and is run by a private, non-profit organization.

The building was a train station for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, until the Imlay City Historical Commission wanted to lease the building from Grand Trunk Western after they decided to bulldoze it in 1971.

The Tri-City Times is located and printed in Imlay City, and both the Lapeer County Press and LA View are often available to residents.

National and International publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal as well as regional publications such as daily editions of The Flint Journal, the Detroit Free Press, and The Detroit News are also widely available in the city.

Imlay City is home to the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds, which holds a fair every year that includes rides, a rodeo, a demolition derby, and a farm animal competition.

Also occurring at the fairground is a car show and Imlay City's "Woods and Water", a hunting and fishing extravaganza.