The village of Hesperia is situated on White River, just at the place where it
crosses the county line between Newaygo and Oceana Counties, half of the village being
in one county and half in the other. The village has been located scarce two years, and in
that time it has grown from a single log cabin on the river bank, until it number 50
building and nearly 200 inhabitants. At the present time it contains three dry goods store,
owned by Weaver & Co., D. J. Foster and A. P. Biglow , a grocery and provision store
owned by L. P. Whitney & Co., shoe and blacksmith shops and a saw-mill. There was a
large three-story hotel built last summer which is now completed and doing a good
business, with J.W. Bowen as proprietor. At present the village is in a flourishing
condition, and there are extensive preparations being made for building next summer.
There is no doubt but Hesperia is destined to be a town, as it is surrounded by one of the
best farming countries in Northern Michigan. Farming pays exceedingly well here as the
farmer is enabled to sell his produce and feed at the highest market price on his farm or
by hauling it to the lumber camps, for the extensive lumbering operations above us on the
river consume all the surplus raised at present. The surrounding country abounds in salt,
iron, copper and petroleum. There is a salt spring a few miles below town, and several
wells in the vicinity so salty as to render them unfit for use, which certainly shows that
salt exists in considerable quantities, and that all that is wanting is the capital to develop
it.
Iron ore is found in large quantities all around the village. It was impossible to use the
compass in surveying some parts of the village, owing to the presence of the ore. Several
pieces of pure copper have been found in this vicinity, which indicates its presence.
There is no doubt in the minds of a great many that petroleum exists in this vicinity; a
short distance above town, is a low piece of ground, where the smell of oil is quite
perceptible, and it may be seen on the surface of the water. The great lumbering
resources of this valley lying to the north and east of us are certain to be a great source of
wealth to us for a number of years to come. Another great advantage of this country is its
peculiar adaptation to raising-fruit. We are about 20 miles from the lake shore, which
brings us within the great so-called "Michigan Fruit Belt." All that this country now
wants is railroad communication with the outside world, and then all of these natural
sources of wealth will be developed, outside capital will come in and business of every
kind will increase.
Our railroad prospects at present are very good, as we are situated on the direct
air line of Lansing, Ionia and Pentwater road, which is being pushed forward as fast as
possible. When this road is completed it will greatly increase the commercial resources
of Detroit, for it will then control all of this extensive north-western travel, which now
goes mostly to Grand Rapids. The people of Grand Rapids are well aware of this fact,
and are endeavoring to extend the so-called "Gardner road" north to Newaygo, thence to
this point, and thence to some point on the lake shore. Situated as we are, we are not very
particular which road we get, as either will answer our purpose. One thing is certain, the
one that come first will get our aid and whole support, which will be of no little
consequence. The average valuation of the towns along the line of road through this
section will be about $100,000, and they will be willing to vote all the aid the law allows,
and as much more as can be raised by subscription. Within the last month there has been
a road proposed from Whitehall, on the lake shore, to Big Rapids, on the Muskegon
River.
