People started settling near the corner of 13 Mile/Gooding and Kenowa in Sparta Township, Kent County and Chester Township, Ottawa County around 1887.  When the Toledo, Saginaw and Milwaukee(TS&M) railroad laid track through Chester Township in 1888, running from Sparta to Slocum, it established a stop at Gooding.  Businesses and homes sprang up near the depot.  The depot was called Gooding Station.  A Post Office opened November 19, 1888 with Robert Gooding serving as the first Postmaster.

At one time the community boasted the following businesses:  blacksmith shop, boarding house, canning company, creamery, depot, grocery store, and hardware and implement store.  The Post Office closed January 31, 1923 and the rail line was abandoned and the track removed in 1940.  Most of the store buildings and residences have been removed over the years.

Currently, there is a resurgence of commercial businesses along the north side of Gooding, from Kenowa west.