The location that was later to become Williamston started as the crossroad of the Grand River and Saginaw Indian Trails.

They used Williamston for planting crops, burying their dead, and holding an annual spring gathering, primarily using the land just north of the Red Cedar River.

They spent less than one full year in the area, planting and then harvesting one crop of oats.

Today, inside the city limits, Williamston Road becomes Putnam Street, having been named in their honor.

In 1839, the Putnams sold their land to Oswald B., James M., and Horace B. Williams, three brothers from Batavia, New York.

The town was a popular stop on the Grand River trail (that later became a plank road) from Detroit to Lansing in the 19th century.

Because the primary means of transportation at that time was the horse and buggy and because the trip from Detroit to Lansing took more than one day, Williamston became a convenient overnight stop.

The city is located two miles north of I-96, which provides access to Lansing and Detroit.

Lake Lansing is also located in nearby Haslett and is approximately 500 acres (2.0 km2) in size.

Although there is no longer much farmland within the city limits, the surrounding area is still devoted to farming.

There is a Williamston branch of the Capital Area District Library, restaurants, a market, grocery store, the Sun Theatre, and numerous smaller clothing stores, boutiques, special interest shops and antique dealers.

[citation needed] Habitat for Humanity has a restore and training facility for staff and volunteers.

An industrial park opened near I-96, the major corridor between Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit.

It typically begins the last week of June with a children's 'bike parade' through Williamston, and ends with the Boy Scout pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.

As of 2013 ArtFest on the River returned and features vendors, free activities for children, and live music.

The first Thursday and Friday of August brings the Dog Days of Summer [8] to Williamston.

The Ingham County Animal Shelter conducts a pet adoption and fundraising drive during the festival.

The former Mayor, Kenneth Zichi, led a group on a brief 1.5–2.5-mile-long (2.4–4.0 km) walking tour of town, pointing out sites of historic interest, and including a 'bridge crossing' of the Red Cedar River.

Activities begin in the afternoon and culminate with a parade of lighted floats and vehicles through downtown Williamston.