Otsego Township, Michigan

Last updated

Otsego Township, Michigan
USA Michigan location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Otsego Township
Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 42°27′45″N85°43′05″W / 42.46250°N 85.71806°W / 42.46250; -85.71806
Country United States
State Michigan
County Allegan
Area
  Total33.9 sq mi (87.7 km2)
  Land33.2 sq mi (86.1 km2)
  Water0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)
Elevation
682 ft (208 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total5,903
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code 26-61640 [1]
GNIS feature ID1626869 [2]
Website www.otsegotownship.org

Otsego Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,903 at the 2020 census. [3] The city of Otsego is located within the township, but is administratively autonomous.

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 33.9 square miles (87.7 km2), of which 33.2 square miles (86.1 km2) is land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km2), or 1.86%, is water. [4]

Demographics

As of the census [1] of 2000, there were 4,854 people, 1,771 households, and 1,390 families residing in the township. The population density was 145.8 inhabitants per square mile (56.3/km2). There were 1,859 housing units at an average density of 55.8 per square mile (21.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.20% White, 0.35% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 1,771 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $48,654, and the median income for a family was $54,917. Males had a median income of $39,619 versus $29,750 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,546. About 3.6% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

The Pine Creek settlement known also as New Rochester was a community located at 42° 27' 24.30" N, 85° 43' 59.64" W [5] near the junction of Pine Creek and the Kalamazoo river in Otsego Township, Allegan County, Michigan. [6]   It was approximately two miles west of the present day city of Otsego. The site was first explored in 1829 by Giles Scott and the Sherwoods of Rochester, New York, Samuel Foster from Vermont, and Turner Aldrich, Jr. of Cattaraugus County, New York, while searching for pine tracts and a location to construct a mill site. [6] Giles Scott, the son-in-law of Hull Sherwood returned to the mouth of the Pine Creek with his wife and small children in 1830 and constructed a small log cabin in 1831. [6] Shortly following Scott, Turner Aldrich, Jr., arrived in Pine Creek. Aldrich built a water powered saw mill located on Pine Creek, one mile from its mouth in 1831. The mill constructed by Aldrich is believed to have cut the first lumber in Western Michigan. The mill burned down shortly after construction but was rebuilt by Aldrich in 1832. [6]   Hull Sherwood settled in Pine Creek in 1831.  With the aid of Scott a dam and saw-mill were constructed at the mouth of the creek. The saw mill was completed in the winter of 1831-32.  Soon followed by the construction of a grist mill in 1834. Lands were held by settlers through pre-emption until they were placed on the market by the government, at which time settlers were required to report to the nearest land office to pay for their land. [7]

Hull Sherwood platted the village named New Rochester at Pine Creek, which remained a prominent settlement through the 1830s. [6] In 1833 the first school was taught by Dr. Lintsford B. Coates just to the east of Pine Creek. [7]   A bridge crossing the Kalamazoo River was constructed at Pine Creek in 1835. [7]   In the same year the Higgins saw mill began operation at Pine Creek. [7]   In 1836, Giles Scott, who was known as an excellent fiddler constructed the tavern known as Pine Creek House over which he presided until his death in 1840. [6]   [7] The decline of New Rochester began following severe economic conditions resulting from the panic of 1837, [8] but some economic activity continued in the Pine Creek area. In 1850 another saw mill was constructed two miles south of the Pine Creek settlement, known as Leighton’s Saw Mill. [7]   A cider mill opened at Pine Creek in 1869. [7]   In 1880, an iron bridge with two spans and one pier was built over the Pine Creek. [7]   The following year the Pine Creek Grange Hall was completed. [7]  The building is still in use, after being moved to its present location east of the Pine River in 1903. [7]   Herman Jungnitsch open a blacksmith shop at Pine Creek in 1885. [7]   Wash Morter also operated a blacksmith shop at Pine Creek, the original building was relocated to its present location east of the Pine Creek on top of a hill. [7] A post office was established in 1899 under the name Dent because a Pine Creek office already existed and was operated by Miss Mae Carroll. [7]   In 1903, the construction of the Pine Creek Dam of the Commonwealth, later known as Consumers Power Company, was completed and after the buildings of the small settlement near the Pine Creek known as New Rochester were either moved or torn down, the area was flooded. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otsego County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Otsego County, formerly known as Okkuddo County, is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,091. The county seat is Gaylord. The county was founded in 1840 and organized in 1875.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalamazoo County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Kalamazoo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2020, the population was 261,670. The county seat is Kalamazoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allegan County, Michigan</span> County in Michigan, United States

Allegan County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 120,502. The county seat is Allegan. The name was coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to sound like a Native American word.

Allegan Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,689.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fennville, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Fennville is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,745 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fillmore Township, Michigan</span> Township in Michigan, United States

Fillmore Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,778 at the 2020 census. It was established in 1849 by a division of Manlius Township.

Gun Plain Charter Township is a charter township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 6,148.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hopkins Township, Michigan</span> Township in Michigan, United States

Hopkins Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,760 at the 2020 census. The township is named after Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Laketown Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,928 at the 2020 census.

Lee Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,805 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manlius Township, Michigan</span> Township in Michigan, United States

Manlius Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,312 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otsego, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Otsego is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,120 at the 2020 census. The city is within Otsego Township, but is administratively autonomous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overisel Township, Michigan</span> Township in Michigan, United States

Overisel Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,113 at the 2020 census.

Trowbridge Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,530 at the 2020 census.

Valley Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,221 at the 2020 census.

Watson Township is a civil township of Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,176 at the 2020 census.

Athens Township is a civil township of southwest Calhoun County in the U.S. state of Michigan, about 15 miles (24 km) south of Battle Creek. It is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 2,444. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi is based in Athens Township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chester Township, Otsego County, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Chester Township is a civil township of Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,292 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otsego Lake Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Otsego Lake Township is a civil township of Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,847 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania</span> Township in Pennsylvania, United States

Jackson Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 394 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area.

References

  1. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Otsego Township, Michigan
  3. "Otsego township, Allegan County, Michigan - Census Bureau Profile". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Otsego township, Allegan County, Michigan". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  5. "Historical Marker Project: Welcome to Pine Creek".
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Johnson, Crisfield (October 30, 2021). "History of Allegan and Barry counties, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Dalrymple, Dorothy (1975). As it was in Otsego. Otsego Bicentennial Committee.
  8. Thomas, Henry F. (1907). "A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan comp. under the editorial supervision of Dr. Henry F. Thomas, Allegan".