10 Interesting Facts About Clio, Michigan
- Jennifer Wilson
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Nestled in Genesee County, just north of Flint, Clio, Michigan may be small, but it is rich in history, community roots, and some surprising stories. Whether you are planning a visit, considering a move, or attending a wedding in the area, here are 10 fascinating facts about the City of Clio.
Clio was founded in the 1800's
Clio was established in 1837 and officially incorporated as a city in 1957. Its name is believed to be inspired by "Clio," the Greek muse of history and poetry, which feels fitting for a town with deep historical roots.
By the early 1900s, the Village of Clio, Michigan, had a population of approximately 800 people
originally known as "varney"
The city wasn't always "Clio." Originally, it was called "Varney," after the town's first grain buyer.
In 1864, the town was renamed Clio at the suggestion of Colonel Hill, a local hotel owner.
On March 13th, 1973, the Village of Clio was incorporated.
A hotspot for exotic fruits
In the 1800's, Clio, MI was the place to come for exotic fruits like bananas, thanks to an entrepreneur named Robin Jones, who imported them. Nowadays, you can buy exotic fruits at the local grocery store anytime of year, but this wasn't always the case.
In the early to mid-1800's in Michigan, exotic fruits like pineapples and citrus were extreme luxury items, often treated as status symbols for the wealthy. Pineapples were exceptionally expensive, sometimes rented rather than purchased for parties. By the mid-1800's, improved transportation made items like oranges more available, though they remained rare delights
railroads shaped clio, michigan's success
Clio is home to one of the region's charming historical relics: the Pere Marquette Railroad Depot. Built and completed in 1861, this depot was an important stop in the P.M. Railroad Line, a major transportation route that connected local towns and supported commerce, agriculture, and travel throughout Michigan's lumber and industrial area.
Although trains no longer stop there, the depot still stands as a reminder of Clio's role in Michigan's railroad history. Today, the depot stands as a museum. They are open for visitors May 15th thru September 30th, Sunday 1 - 3pm and other times by appointment.
Home of National hugging day
The very first National Hugging Day was celebrated in Clio, Michigan, in 1986. This event is celebrated annually on January 21st, with its inaugural celebration taking place right here in Clio. Founded by Rev. Kevin Zaborney, a pastor in Clio, Michigan.
Zaborney says he thought of the idea while studying psychology at the University of Michigan, and after its launch, it immediately went global.
National Hug Day also known as National Hugging Day, and is a heartwarming holiday that encourages people to express their affection and care for one another through the simple act of giving hugs. Hugs are a universal form of physical affection that can convey love, comfort, and support.
Approximately a mile in size
The City of Clio, Michigan, is a small place in Genesee County covering a total area of approximately 1.12 square miles.
For reference... one mile is equivalent to:
About 4 laps on a standard 400-meter track.
Roughly 16-18 city blocks.
About 25 large commercial airplanes
About 130 school buses
7. Extensive Recreational Trails
For a small city of roughly 2,500 people, Clio boasts an uncommonly large park system which spans over 7 miles throughout the city.
One of its unique features: uninterrupted travel across the local infrastructure through a series of tunnels and bridges. The path is easily accessible from parking lots which are located off Jennings, Wilson, and Neff Roads, as well as in the Clio City Park.
Pioneering Women in Media
In 1945, Clio was home to one of only ten female newspaper publishers in the entire state of Michigan. Helen Gilett served as the editor and publisher of the Clio Messenger for 36 years, a rare feat for a woman in the mid-20th-century media industry.
The Gilett family owned the Clio Messenger from 1927 to 1983, with Helen Gilett serving as editor and publisher from 1943 until 1979. In 1945, Helen Gilett was one of only ten female newspaper publishers in Michigan. The Gilett family sold the Messenger to the Heritage Newspapers Suburban Flint Group in 1983, which was acquired by Heritage Newspapers in 2002.
Home to One of Genesee County’s Largest Parks
Clio is home to Clio Area Park, one of the largest and most well-known parks in Genesee County. Spanning more than 200 acres, the park offers sports fields, walking trails, picnic areas, and scenic natural spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round.
One of the park’s most recognizable features is the Clio Amphitheater, an outdoor performance venue that has hosted concerts, community events, and festivals for decades. During the summer months, the amphitheater becomes a gathering place for families and music lovers across the region.
For a city with only a few thousand residents, Clio’s park system is impressively large and plays an important role in the community’s identity.
A Growing Destination for Weddings & Events
Clio may be a small city, but it has quietly become a destination for weddings and celebrations across Michigan. One of the most notable wedding venues is Celestial Farms, a locally owned venue that blends modern luxury with countryside charm. Couples travel from across the state to celebrate their weddings here, drawn to the scenic property, historic barn setting, and personalized planning experience.
Unlike large corporate venues, Celestial Farms is family owned and operated, offering couples a hands-on planning process that includes coordination, timeline planning, and guest management tools. The venue has become part of a new chapter in Clio’s story—showing how small Michigan towns can host unforgettable celebrations while maintaining their local character.
Today, Clio continues to grow as both a historic community and a place where new memories are made.
Celestial Farms Wedding Venue is a year-round Michigan wedding venue offering coordinating services, a complimentary candid content creator, and free wedding website and RSVP services — all designed to create a seamless and unforgettable wedding experience. Located in Clio, Michigan, Celestial Farms proudly serves Detroit-area couples and newly engaged partners throughout the state of Michigan.
We are dedicated to using our platform to support locally owned wedding venues. In every blog we write, we will include 5 to 10 locally owned wedding venues who use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
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