Whitney Township was part of Midland County in 1856 and the following year Bay County was formed and the State road was started. During the 1860’s and 1870’s there was heavy stagecoach traffic over the road. In 1856, the first white man, Joseph Mattson settled here and traded with the Indians.

About 1857 pioneers settled in Whitney Township. They build lumber mills and being close to deep water made it easier to build docks for delivering lumber products. Population in 1882 was 230 with only 58 people eligible to vote. In 1886 the Steamer Forbes sailed with the first load of lumber for Bay City…