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Okemos - Haslett - Meridian Charter Township Population: 2000() 1990() Change()
Meridian Township is located in the northwestern section of Ingham County and contains the communities of Okemos and Haslett. Situated just to the east of East Lansing, it is one of the more populated urban areas of the county. Okemos is a highly commercial area, containing several shopping malls, plazas and stores. Township offices are also located there, along with an old-town style park and Indian center next door. Haslett is more residential, with subdivisions and apartments pleasantly situated around Haslett Lake and Lake Lansing.
Named for the principal meridian on its eastern boundary, this community began in 1841, a stop along the Detroit, Howell and Lansing Plank Road, at which point a toll was required. (You can see part of the restored plank road and toll gate at the park). Haslett was originally named Pine Lake when a post office was established there in 1879. It was renamed Haslett Park in 1890 by the legislature, and later Haslett in 1895, after James Haslett who began a summer camp for Spiritualists there. Okemos was named in 1862, by popular demand, after a local Indian chief -- having previously being named Hamilton, for Alexander Hamilton, in 1841. |