It is located directly west of Interstate 75 about 40 miles (64.4 km) south of the Mackinac Bridge.

The area was originally settled by Jacob Shook and his family as early as 1874.

Venturing to the area was difficult, as the nearest railway line ended in Gaylord about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the south.

Richards was a frequent traveler back and forth to Gaylord for mail and supplies, often staying mid-route at Vanderbilt.

He requested a closer post office, which was granted under the name Wolverine in late 1880.

The post office was first established on January 3, 1881, and continues to remain in operation.

As an early settler of the community, he helped organize and operate the local school district and was also a real estate dealer and lumberman.

Soon after, the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroad Company received a deed and began railway construction at the community of Trowbridge about 5 miles (8.0 km) to the southeast.

By 1891, the population of Wolverine increased to about 1,000 residents, who mainly worked for the railway and lumbering industry.

When the lumber industry declined by the 1930s, the population drastically decreased as many people left Wolverine.