Thomas offers a country lifestyle just outside of Saginaw
As Gratiot Road heads west from Saginaw, the landscape abruptly changes from urban to suburban to rural. Expansive fields and farmland surround the road as it enters Thomas, a quiet countryside community in Central Michigan. “It’s a beautiful combination between the rural country area where you can have your own space, but at the same time you still have the city connection,” says Marquaveon McKinney, a Realtor with Realtyflo and Saginaw area native. “You can be out in the country or live out in the boonies and still come to town easily.” The wide-open spaces offer plenty of room for recreation at developed parks and scenic trails. A variety of housing dots the landscape, while the proximity to Saginaw puts shopping and dining within quick reach from the rural community.
Established and modern homes in the Michigan countryside
Farmhouses and ranch-style homes make up much of the inventory in Thomas. Some farmhouses are from the late 1800s and early 1900s and come in Craftsman or Victorian styles, with spacious front porches. There are also some New Traditional and manufactured houses. Most of the area is rural, with large lots, but a few subdivisions exist around the community. Buyers can easily find homes on five or more acres; some properties come with over 50 acres. The median sale price in the area is around $230,000.
Natural and developed parks in Central Michigan
Several parks around Thomas offer a variety of activities. Community Park is behind the township municipal offices and has a basketball court, pickleball courts and playground. Roethke Park has a more rustic setting, with a large fishing pond and forested walking trails. The park’s pool is a popular spot to cool off in the summer, while its miniature train has been a staple of the community since 1973. Roethke Park also hosts an annual summer concert series from June through August. Runners and cyclists can take a trip on the Thomas Trail, a 2-mile paved path through the community. It connects to the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail, an 11-mile path spanning from Saginaw to St. Charles. Golf fanatics have several options in the area, including the public Crooked Creek and Swan Valley courses.
Saginaw's shopping and dining is minutes away
Despite its rural environment, Thomas offers convenient access to shopping and dining, including some of the most popular spots in the Saginaw area. “They have this beautiful business called Miles Market. They have all the recipes and tables from Hamilton Home Bakery that closed down. Miles Market is such a beauty,” McKinney says. This casual market on Gratiot Road is known for its baked goods and donuts but also serves sandwiches and burgers. The Maple Grille is a restaurant and microbrewery on the community’s west side that serves burgers, steak and other meats cooked over a wood-burning stove. Several chain restaurants line Gratiot Road, offering quick options for lunch or a weeknight dinner. Groceries are available at Meijer or the locally owned Jack’s Fruit & Meat Markets. Other stores include Tractor Supply Co. and Dollar Tree, plus Walmart in nearby Saginaw Township.
Multiple school options are available to Thomas students
Three school districts serve Thomas. Hemlock Public School District earns a B from Niche, while Freeland Community School District and Swan Valley School District each receive a B-plus. Hemlock covers most of the community, and Hemlock High School gets a B rating. The school offers several activities, including a robotics team. Students can also prepare for future careers through programs at Saginaw Career Complex.
Gratiot Road offers commutes around the Saginaw area
Gratiot Road is the main east-west thoroughfare in Thomas, offering a 7-mile drive into Saginaw. It also connects to the nearby community of Hemlock to the west. The closest hospital is Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, about 6 miles away. Thomas also provides easy access to jobs at the Hemlock Semiconductor plant, one of the world’s largest producers of polysilicon for computer chips.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
