Chauncey, Michigan

Chauncey, previously known as Buena Vista^[1] and Imperial Mills is an unincorporated, mostly historical settlement in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is on the boundary between Cannon Township and Plainfield Township at 43°03′01″N 85°33′01″W / 43.05028°N 85.55028°W / 43.05028; -85.55028,^[2] several miles northeast of Grand Rapids.

It is situated near the south end of Chauncey Road where Bear Creek enters the Grand River.^[3] The community of Buena Vista was plattted, but the plat was never recorded.^[4] The Buena Vista Mill was built in 1848 by Abner and John Brewer. The place, also known as Imperial Mills, was destroyed by fire in 1875 and rebuilt in September 1881 by Denis Porter.^[5]

The settlement presumably takes its name from the impressive river bluff, Buena Vista Hill, rising just to its east, the summit of which affords a magnificent view of the westward bend of the Grand Valley, Kuttshill, and the many Plainfield Hills.

Notes and references

1. ^ Fisher pg. 259
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Chauncey, Michigan
3. ^ H. Beldon detail of map on pg. 3
4. ^ H. Beldon pg. 78
5. ^ Leeson pg. 681

• H. Belden & Co. (2005) [1876]. Illustrated historical atlas of the county of Kent, Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. http://name.umdl.umich.edu/3927864.0001.001. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
• Leeson, Michael A. (comp.) (2005) [1881]. History of Kent County, Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. http://name.umdl.umich.edu/bad0958.0001.001. Retrieved 2008-08-24. 
• Fisher, Ernest B. (ed.) (2005) [1918]. Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan : historical account of their progress from first settlement to the present time. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. http://name.umdl.umich.edu/arx2230.0001.001. Retrieved 2008-08-24.