Maple Rapids

Maple Rapids ia a small village in Clinton County. Maple Rapids was named after the rapids on the Maple River by George Campau in 1826 when he built a trading post here. The community was surveyed and re-platted multiple times before being incorpated as a village in 1881. Its fortunes were made with timber during Michigan's lumber boom. There is still an operating lumber mill in the area. The many Maple trees help residents produce local maple syrup for their families and friends.  

The village bar has recently re-opened, a local orchard reopened the pizzaria adding a cider bar, and the local grocery store/meat counter has changed owners. The downtown businesses are rounded out by a bait shop, a body shop, a salon, a convenience store, and a seasonal flower shop.

History of Maple Rapids
In 1826 the first white man created a settlement in what would become Clinton County. Campau’s Trading Post was started by George Campau. Campau purchased 80 acres in November 1832 . Louis his brother purchased the south half of the property in 1835, the village records it’s beginning from this date.

William A Hewitt came with his family in 1852 and purchased 240 acres. Construction of a dam and sawmill started and the village was platted. Hewitt also built a store and hotel. In 1867 the village was resurveyed then replatted and recorded. Maple Rapids was incorporated in 1881. The Village has changed many times over the past 190 years.

Lamplighter Festival
The Village held annual Lamplighter Festivals from 2001 to 2010. The Festival was brought back in 2023 and is currently being held each September. The Festival offers a pancake breakfast, parade, cornhole tournament, food truck, pie contest, movie, car show, craft show, concert, and a 5K run/walk along with other fun kid friendly activities. The festival is held late in September. There are multiple bake sales throughout the year to help fund the event. 

The GeoArt
The village council appointed a Parks and Recs committee who enlisted the help of a network to create this amazing geoart showcasing the village. It will give the finder a peek into a small town gem.  Upon completion of the geoart, you can receive a wooden token from the village by showing evidence of the completed art. You can send coolmamaof5 a message and meet her at an event or show it at the local salon located at, 125 N Maple Ave, during open business hours. Enjoy the scenery and have fun caching!

Caches
Several cache type hides are in this series. The majority are magnetic brown buggers in signs, a few are attached to the end of guard rails, and a few are in the right away on the edge of the road. Containers vary from micros to regulars depending on location.  Pay attention to the hints to help you locate the cache quickly. 

Hewitt also built a _____ and _____ . 

You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.