Marne, Michigan

Marne is an unincorporated community in Wright Township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Township offices are located in the community

The Marne ZIP code 49435 serves areas in southern and eastern Wright Township, as well as areas of central Tallmadge Township to the south and small areas of Alpine Township to the east in Kent County.^[1]

Marne is located at 43°02′10″N 85°49′40″W / 43.03611°N 85.82778°W / 43.03611; -85.82778^[2] off exit 23 on Interstate 96, just northwest of Grand Rapids. The community was originally named Berlin because of the many German settlers. It received a post office in 1852 and was platted in 1857. Due to anti-German sentiments during World War I, the name was changed in 1919 to Marne, to honor those soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Marne.^[3] However, the name Berlin continues to manifest in many ways, including Berlin Baptist Church, the Berlin Fairgrounds, Berlin Fair Drive and the Berlin Raceway, where Johnny Benson raced.

Marne (at the time Berlin) also served as a stop on the historic Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon interurban railroad. The depot still remains to this day.

Ed Cole, an automotive executive for General Motors, was born in Marne, where his father was a dairy farmer.

Marne serves as a trailhead for the Musketawa Trail

References

1. ^ 49435 5-Digit ZCTA, 494 3-Digit ZCTA - Reference Map - American FactFinder, U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 census
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Marne, Michigan
3. ^ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.