As an unincorporated community, Topinabee has no legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own but does have its own post office with the 49791 ZIP Code.

Numerous other lakefront unincorporated communities are located to the north along M-27, including Long Point, Birchwood, Silver Beach, and Mullett Lake.

[16] The community was founded as early as 1881 when Michigan Central Railroad officials planned to establish a resort here on the southern shores of Mullett Lake.

He named it for Potawatomi tribal leader Topinabee (Great Bear Heart), who ultimately signed the Treaty of Greenville in 1795.

[18] Pike, who was originally from Burlington, Vermont, moved to Niles, Michigan and frequently traveled up north through the area.

He purchased land, opened his business, and platted the community with the hopes that the railroad would pass through the area on its way to the Straits of Mackinac.

In 1881, the Michigan Central Railroad constructed its line on the west side through Pike's property, and this led to the growth of the Topinabee community.

Pike sold many plats of his property to allow settlers to build cottages, and Topinabee became a popular resort community.

The trail connects Gaylord to Mackinaw City and runs directly through Topinabee along the shores of Lake Mullett.

[28][29] The Topinabee Library received a technology upgrade though a $7,804 grant by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in July 2000.

[30] By early 2022, the library received numerous structural upgrades, including new paint, interior shelving, and improvements to the surrounding environment.

[31] The area around the library and Lake Mullett shoreline has been organized as the Topinabee Beach Park with modern amenities along the North Central State Trail.