Meridian Charter Township is a charter township of Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township had a population of 43,916. The earliest settlers located at Pine Lake (now Lake Lansing) and made use of the numerous stands of pines to build their cabin. The lake was later the site of a Spiritualist Meeting Camp led by John Haslett. During the late 19th century, the lake became known as a local vacation area served by an "interurban trolley" which ran from the City of Lansing to the resort on the south side of the lake. An amusement park was introduced and enjoyed immense popularity into the mid-20th century. Currently, the Village of Haslett is located at the south side of Lake Lansing.

The first settlers near the current Village of Okemos (to the south of the former Pine Lake) were Sanford Marsh and his wife who built their cabin in 1839. They were soon followed by Joseph Kilbourne, who took out land for his brother-in-law, Freeman Bray.

The Red Cedar River flows through the township.

Demographics

As of the census In addition, the township employs a township manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the township, and who serves at the pleasure of the board.

On the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, the township is split between the 13th, 14th, and 15th districts. In the Michigan legislature, the township lies in the 73rd and 75th state house districts, and the 28th state senate district. At the federal level, the township is included within Michigan's 7th congressional district.

Education

thumb|[[Okemos High School]]

Much of the township is in Okemos Public Schools<!--UNI 26280--> and Haslett Public Schools<!--UNI 17940-->. Portions are in East Lansing School District<!--UNI 12600--> and Williamston Community Schools<!--UNI 36420-->.

Okemos Public Schools facilities in the township include Bennett Woods Elementary School, Cornell Elementary School, Hiawatha Elementary School, Okemos Public Montessori at Central, Kinawa 5-6 School (formerly Kinawa Middle School), Chippewa Middle School, and Okemos High School. Wardcliff Elementary School, an OPS school which was in the township, began operations in 1955 and closed in 2010.

The Haslett district operates the following in the township: Wilkshire Early Childhood Center, Vera Ralya Elementary School, Haslett Middle School, and Haslett High School. The East Lansing district operates Donley Elementary School. The Beef Cattle Teaching & Research Center, the Sheep Teaching & Research Center, and the Swine Teaching & Research Center's main swine farm are in the township.

References

  • Website of the Charter Township of Meridian
  • Haslett Branch of the Capital Area District Library
  • Hope Borbas Okemos Branch of the Capital Area District Library
  • Friends of Historic Meridian