The 6x6 mile square T8N-R11E, now known as Arcadia Township, was originally part of Lapeer Township, formed 30 Dec 1834. On 15 Oct 1856 Arcadia Township was formed. The township has several small lakes and ponds.

A land speculator named Lucius M. LYON, who was an early settler in Burlingto Township, Lapeer County, made large purchases in Goodland, Attica and Arcadia. He seems to have purchased a large portion of what would become Arcadia in May 1836. He must have sold it all by 1863. The first white settler, Thomas HASKELL, came in 1839, and settled on section 31, where for several years he kept a hotel. He died in Arcadia. Peter GROSBECK arrived in 1847, and settled on section 32. In 1848 Nicholas GASS settled in Section 36, and John B. WILSON in Section 31. [HRP, pp. 202-6]

The community of King's Mill (or Kings Mill) formed about 1883, near the grist mill and sawmill of Harvey KING. It had a post office and a station on the Pontiac, Oxford and Port Austin Railroad (later part of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad).

1906 Map of Lum village

The village of Lum was founded in 1884, with another railroad station, which was the scene of a large explosion in 1909.