Carleton, Michigan - 48117

Photos courtesy of:
Ken Huisjen

Carleton is a small agricultural community located in northern Monroe County, about ten miles north of Monroe. It contains several small businesses and restaurants, and has an operating grain elevator. Its adjacent location to Monroe and the greater Detroit metropolitan area to the north makes it an ideal commuter town.

The land around Carleton was originally laid out and platted by Daniel Matthews in 1872, a land developer who also helped select the site of Lansing as the state capital. He bought 80 acres there and built an inn, calling it the Matthews House. In 1874, it was given a station on the Pere Marquette Railroad, which also required a post office assignment. It was named after Will Carleton, a popular Michigan poet, (1845-1912). It was eventually incorporated as a village in 1911.