Charlotte is in
Eaton County (of which it is the county seat), and in the
Central Region. This community is located just southwest of
Lansing, between Lansing and
Battle Creek along Interstate 69 on the banks of the Thornapple River near Thornapple Lake. Charlotte is part of the
Lansing-East Lansing, Michigan metro area.
Charlotte was first settled in 1832 by George Barnes, who bought land from the government at the location where the city now stands. He then sold it to New York City investor, Edmond Bostwick, in 1835. Bostwick then split up his parcel and sold it to three other investors: H. I. Lawerence, Townsend Harris and Francis Cochran. Together, the four developed the city, naming it after Bostwicks wife.
Today, Charlotte has a diverse economy centered around an industrial base that includes aluminum products, plastics and auto-related products.
