In 1837, four couples came to the Maple River area from Oakland County to claim their newly purchased acreage, and they were soon followed by a dozen families. These pioneer farmers chose this vicinity because its very fertile land was well adapted for grazing and crop production. The community church and octagonal schoolhouse were designed and built under the guidance of the Reverend George M. Reynolds, son of one of the pioneer settlers. Soon afterward, several farm houses of Greek Revival design were constructed and the cemetery was established. Reynolds served for many years as minister of the church and was also the first teacher when the school opened in 1850. Several of the early structures remain, and descendants of the original settlers still reside in the area.