Hatton Township offers a beautiful and peaceful rural environment that blends extensive forested lands and wetlands with family farms and residential properties, creating an inviting atmosphere for both outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a quiet lifestyle. The area is especially known for its woodlands, with nearly half of its land covered in mature deciduous forests and wetlands, making it a welcoming destination for nature lovers.
The Hatton settlement was started by the lumber industry around the Pere Marquette Railroad in 1881.(Michigan Place Names, MSG 1893) The township was formally organized in 1886, and the name was a reference to Postmaster General Frank Hatton.(Catchmark Vol. 13 No. 2, CS 04 May 1894)
Services
Public Transportation: Clare County Transit Corporation
Road Maintenance: Clare County Road Commission
Waste Disposal: GFL Environmental
Law Enforcement: Clare County Sheriff
News & Media
Recreation
Old US-27 Roadside Park
3701 S Clare Ave, Clare, MI
(CS 20 March 1936, MS 12 December 2015)
Snow Snake Ski & Golf
3407 E Mannsiding Rd, Harrison, MI
Camp Rotary
3201 S Clare Ave, Clare, MI
History
Clare County Historical Society
William Cornwell: obituary, Find-a-grave
Timeline
1881 – Settlement (Michigan Place Names)
1898 – Shingle bolt curse (CS 11 February 1898)
1910 – Settlement destroyed by fire (Michigan Place Names)
1936 – Roadside park (CS 20 March 1936)
1948 – Snow Snake ski resort opened (CS 03 December 1948)
1955 – Major Mountain ski resort opened (CCC 29 December 1955)
1968 – Mid Michigan Community College first year of enrollment (FN 12 September 1968, FN 19 December 1968, Mid Michigan College)
1969 – Mid Michigan Community College campus built (CS 28 March 1968, CS 09 May 1968, FN 19 December 1968, CS 22 October 1969, CS 21 January 1970)
1971 – Clare landfill opened (CS 14 July 1971)
1980 – new regulations for landfills (CS 06 February 1980)
1986 – Clare landfill closed (CS 21 October 1986, CS 09 December 1986)
1993 – Zoning Ordinance adopted (CS 18 May 1993)
2000 – Ott Cabin added to Clare County museum complex (CCC 15 June 2000)
2013 – CTE learning facility opened (CCC 10 October 2013)
2025 – CTE learning facility expanded
Statistics
Population: 893
Median Age: 44.4
Total Households: 339
Median Household Income: $40,489
Top Industry of Employment: Educational services, and health care and social assistance
Land Use Classifications:
Agricultural 17.3%
Commercial 10.2%
Industrial 1.2%
Residential 69.0%
Unclassified 2.3%
(Data source: Master Plan)