Copemish was incorporated in 1891, after a large logging industry began and two railroads laid their tracks directly through the area.  Until that point, people had to travel long distances either by horse and buggy or foot power to do just about anything!

The history of Copemish included a pickle factory, the logging industry, hotels, two churches, a grain elevator and a grist mill.  There were also a doctor, a pharmacy, and a large schoolhouse.

​

​Copemish is located in the northeast part of Manistee County in Cleon Township. It is a small

village of about 200 residents. The name "Copemish" means "Big Beech" referring to holding

council under the beech trees. 

Today, the village is a pleasant community with several businesses - Honor Bank, MR Products, CBS Solar, Archangel Research and Development, American Legion Post 531, Copemish Hardware, Copemish Cafe near the bank, EZ Mart, Dollar General, Copemish Beauty Salon, Copemish Service Center, Junque and Necessities, and a post office. 

The Copemish area offers a lot in the way of recreation. There are many snowmobile trails in the area (which makes our businesses readily available to snowmobilers), First Creek Nature Trail, Twisted Trails Off-Road Park, and lots of woods for morel mushroom hunting, hiking, and deer and small game hunting. The Betsie River is located nearby and provides plenty of fishing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking. It is a beautiful, natural river, and there is a lot of wildlife to spot while floating down on a sunny day. Copemish is a beautiful small village in the middle of the most glorious area of the country!

It is now largely defined as a bedroom community, approximately 30 miles in either direction from larger population centers such as Traverse City, Manistee and Cadillac.

Children from the area attend Mesick Consolidated Schools or Benzie County Schools.

​

​