Dowagiac, Michigan

Dowagiac was first platted in 1848. It was incorporated as a village in 1863 and as a city in 1877.Walter Romig, Michigan Place Names, p. 162

Dowagiac gained national attention in June 1964 after police began investigating multiple reports of what became known as the Dewey Lake Monster.{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19641009&id=qQcqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2722,5791985&hl=en |title=The Milwaukee Journal – Google News Archive Search |website=news.google.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004213845/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19641009&id=qQcqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2722,5791985&hl=en |archive-date=4 October 2015}}

In 1854, Dowagiac was the final destination for the first group of orphans brought to the Midwest from New York City on the Orphan Train.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|4.54|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.46|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2 July 2012 }}

Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Dowagiac Woods, a {{convert|235|acre|km2}} woods located in Cass, is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan's exceptional natural habitats and extraordinary and endangered plants and animals.

The Dowagiac River flows from the stream which rises as the "Dowagiac Drain" in central Decatur Township in southern Van Buren County, Michigan. It is joined first by the "Red Run" and then by the "Lake of the Woods Drain" near the southern edge of Hamilton Township, it becomes the "Dowagiac River" before entering Wayne Township in Cass County. North of the city of Dowagiac, the river passes through the "Dowagiac Swamp". Just west of Dowagiac, the river is joined by its principal tributary, the "Dowagiac Creek".

{{Weather box

|location = Dowagiac, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1953–present)

|single line = Y

|width = auto

|Jan record high F = 63

|Feb record high F = 72

|Mar record high F = 85

|Apr record high F = 89

|May record high F = 95

|Jun record high F = 103

|Jul record high F = 103

|Aug record high F = 100

|Sep record high F = 99

|Oct record high F = 88

|Nov record high F = 77

|Dec record high F = 72

|year record high F = 103

|Jan high F = 31.1

|Feb high F = 34.2

|Mar high F = 44.4

|Apr high F = 57.4

|May high F = 68.6

|Jun high F = 78.0

|Jul high F = 81.5

|Aug high F = 79.7

|Sep high F = 73.5

|Oct high F = 60.9

|Nov high F = 47.2

|Dec high F = 36.2

|year high F = 57.7

|Jan mean F = 23.7

|Feb mean F = 25.9

|Mar mean F = 34.8

|Apr mean F = 46.4

|May mean F = 57.9

|Jun mean F = 67.4

|Jul mean F = 70.8

|Aug mean F = 69.0

|Sep mean F = 62.1

|Oct mean F = 50.3

|Nov mean F = 39.0

|Dec mean F = 29.4

|year mean F = 48.1

|Jan low F = 16.2

|Feb low F = 17.6

|Mar low F = 25.2

|Apr low F = 35.5

|May low F = 47.1

|Jun low F = 56.9

|Jul low F = 60.0

|Aug low F = 58.2

|Sep low F = 50.6

|Oct low F = 39.7

|Nov low F = 30.8

|Dec low F = 22.5

|year low F = 38.4

|Jan record low F = −21

|Feb record low F = −23

|Mar record low F = −13

|Apr record low F = 6

|May record low F = 19

|Jun record low F = 30

|Jul record low F = 38

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 26

|Oct record low F = 13

|Nov record low F = 4

|Dec record low F = −20

|year record low F = −23

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.10

|Feb precipitation inch = 2.41

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.44

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.69

|May precipitation inch = 4.19

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.26

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.09

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.12

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.38

|Oct precipitation inch = 4.33

|Nov precipitation inch = 2.90

|Dec precipitation inch = 2.82

|year precipitation inch = 41.73

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 15.0

|Feb precipitation days = 11.5

|Mar precipitation days = 10.2

|Apr precipitation days = 11.4

|May precipitation days = 11.8

|Jun precipitation days = 10.3

|Jul precipitation days = 9.2

|Aug precipitation days = 9.2

|Sep precipitation days = 9.0

|Oct precipitation days = 11.1

|Nov precipitation days = 11.4

|Dec precipitation days = 13.2

|year precipitation days = 133.3

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=iwx

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 4 September 2021

| archive-date = 28 July 2022

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220728142656/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=iwx

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00202250&format=pdf

| title = Station: Dowagiac 1 W, MI

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 4 September 2021

| archive-date = 7 June 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240607022102/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00202250&format=pdf

| url-status = live

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1860= 1181

|1870= 1932

|1880= 2100

|1890= 2806

|1900= 4151

|1910= 5088

|1920= 5440

|1930= 5550

|1940= 5007

|1950= 6542

|1960= 7208

|1970= 6583

|1980= 6307

|1990= 6409

|2000= 6147

|2010= 5879

|2020= 5721

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-date=1 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=25 November 2012|archive-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512074548/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html|url-status=live}} of 2010, there were 5,879 people, 2,337 households, and 1,463 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1318.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,674 housing units at an average density of {{convert|599.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 73.5% White, 14.3% African American, 3.0% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 2.4% from other races, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

There were 2,337 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.14.

The median age in the city was 32 years. 29.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,147 people, 2,421 households, and 1,542 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,530.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,631 housing units at an average density of {{convert|655.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 76.95% White, 15.63% African American, 2.02% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 1.59% from other races, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.

There were 2,421 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,926, and the median income for a family was $33,443. Males had a median income of $28,534 versus $22,282 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,659. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those aged 65 or over.

{{See also|Dowagiac Municipal Airport}}

Dowagiac Municipal Airport has a {{convert|4700|ft|m|adj=on}} long paved runway for private pilots with a turf runway as well.

The city is at the junction of M-51 and M-62. M-51 connects with Niles {{convert|17|mi|km}} to the southwest and with I-94 {{convert|21|mi|km}} to the northeast. M-62 connects with Cassopolis {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} to the southeast and with M-140 {{convert|9|mi|km|spell=in}} to the west.

One of the oldest dial-a-ride services in Michigan, Dowagiac DART began service in June 1975 with a three-bus fleet. The service is provided to the community of Dowagiac with service extended out to Southwest Michigan College. The service is provided by the city administration and is operated from a multi-modal terminal located on an Amtrak line. In its former life, the building was originally a Michigan Central, and later a Penn Central, train station. The building has been preserved and is maintained by the City of Dowagiac.

{{See also|Dowagiac (Amtrak station)}}

Dowagiac is served by Amtrak trains with daily service to Chicago and Detroit. The historic depot is located at 200 Depot Drive in the downtown area. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any personal items such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed aboard as carry-ons.

Also, this historical train depot is where the first orphans from the orphan train were dropped off and adopted.

Dowagiac is served by the Dowagiac Union School District, consisting of the following schools:

• Justus Gage Elementary
• Kincheloe Elementary
• Patrick Hamilton Elementary
• Sister Lakes Elementary
• Dowagiac Middle School
• Dowagiac Union High School

Dowagiac is also home to Southwestern Michigan College. SMC is a two-year school that offers on-campus housing.

• Dave Behrman – Michigan State and Buffalo Bills football player, AFL and NFL first-round draft pick in 1963
• Philo D. Beckwith – Founder of Round Oak Stove Company and Mayor of Dowagiac
• Dickinson Bishop – Businessman and Titanic sinking survivor
• David Cargo – Governor of New Mexico 1967–71
• Wally Fromhart—Notre Dame football player
• Billi Gordon – Model, actor, author, screenwriter, Doctor of Functional Human Brain Research
• James Heddon – Inventor of the artificial fishing lure
• Sean Hill – NFL player
• Judith Ivey – Tony Award-winning actress
• Franz Jackson – Saxophonist and clarinet player
• John P. Metras – inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a coach{{cite news|title=Dowagiac product Metras dies at 73|date=April 19, 1982|newspaper=South Bend Tribune|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-metras-1982/169965032/}}{{cite news|title=John Metras: Former college coach dies|agency=The Canadian Press|date=April 14, 1982|newspaper=The Sun Times|location=Owen Sound, Ontario|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-times-metras-1982/169392058/}}
• Webb Miller (journalist) – Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and author
• Caleb Murphy – Ferris State Football player and NFL Tennessee Titans Football Player
• Adolph Otto Niedner – Custom gunsmith and wildcat cartridge inventor and Mayor of Dowagiac
• Carrie Newcomer – Singer-songwriter
• Kenneth Porter – World War I pilot, credited with 5 enemy aircraft destroyed
• Donavon F. Smith – World War II pilot and USAF lieutenant general, credited with 5.5 enemy aircraft destroyed
• William Alden Smith – US Senator
• Chris Taylor – wrestler, Olympic medalist
• Emery Valentine – Alaskan statesman and businessman

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.cityofdowagiac.com/ City of Dowagiac]
• [http://www.dowagiacdl.org/ Dowagiac District Library]
• [http://www.dowagiacschools.org/ Dowagiac Union Schools]
• [http://www.dowagiacchamber.com/ Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce]

{{Cass County, Michigan}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Cass County, Michigan

Category:South Bend – Mishawaka metropolitan area

Category:1863 establishments in Michigan

Category:Populated places established in 1863