Owosso, Michigan

Owosso, Michigan
City

The West Town Historic District

Location of Owosso, Michigan
Coordinates: 42°59′46″N 84°10′28″W / 42.99611°N 84.17444°W
Country United States
State Michigan
County Shiawassee
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
 • Mayor Benjamin R. Frederick
 • City Manager Donald Crawford
Area[1]
 • Total 5.37 sq mi (13.91 km2)
 • Land 5.23 sq mi (13.55 km2)
 • Water 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2)
Elevation 728 ft (222 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 15,194
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 14,852
 • Density 2,905.2/sq mi (1,121.7/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 48867
Area code(s) 989
FIPS code 26-61940[4]
GNIS feature ID 0634254[5]
Website http://ci.owosso.mi.us/

Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,194 at the 2010 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent. The city was named after Chief Wasso, an Ojibwa leader of the Shiawassee area.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.37 square miles (13.91 km2), of which 5.23 square miles (13.55 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[1]

Climate and weather

Owosso experiences frigid winters with the last snow usually falling in April, typically Northern Midwestern spring thaws, balmy to hot summers, and colorful falls with the first snows usually appearing in October. Each year Owosso averages eleven days with temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C), and nine days with temperatures above 90 °F (32 °C). Owosso averages twenty-nine inches of rain per year, and forty-one inches of snow. The average growing season in Owosso is 144 days.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18601,160—
18702,06578.0%
18802,50121.1%
18906,564162.5%
19008,69632.5%
19109,63910.8%
192012,57530.5%
193014,49615.3%
194014,424−0.5%
195015,94810.6%
196017,0066.6%
197017,1791.0%
198016,455−4.2%
199016,322−0.8%
200015,713−3.7%
201015,194−3.3%
Est. 201115,024−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
2011 estimate

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 15,194 people, 6,161 households, and 3,779 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,905.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,121.7/km2). There were 6,823 housing units at an average density of 1,304.6 per square mile (503.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 6,161 households of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.7% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 34.8 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.[6]

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 15,713 people, 6,340 households, and 4,076 families. The population density was 3,174.5 per square mile (1,225.6/km²). There were 6,724 housing units at an average density of 1,358.4 per square mile (524.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97% White, 0.20% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.80% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.

There were 6,340 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,576, and the median income for a family was $40,355. Males had a median income of $32,285 versus $22,534 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,764. About 10.0% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Indian Trails has its headquarters in Owosso.[7]

Covenant Eyes, an accountability software company, is headquartered in Owosso.[8]

Education

Colleges

Baker College of Owosso[9] offers Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's programs in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Education and Human Service, Engineering & Technology and Health Sciences. They are also home to the Auto Diesel Institute of Michigan,[10] which offers Certificate and Associate programs in both Auto and Diesel Services Technology. Baker College of Owosso is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition to regional accreditation, the Baker Center for Graduate Studies and multiple undergraduate business programs also carry program accreditation by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Owosso Public Schools

Owosso Parochial Schools

Media

Newspapers

Two newspapers are published in Owosso: the Argus-Press publishes an evening edition Monday through Friday, as well as Saturday and Sunday morning editions. Recent awards from the Michigan Press Association and the Associated Press in news, editorial content and sports make the Argus-Press one of the top Michigan newspapers under 10,000 daily circulation. The Independent[16] publishes an Owosso-Corunna edition on Sundays and Wednesdays. Both newspapers have online editions as well.

Radio

Three radio stations are located in Owosso.

Transportation

Roads

City Bus Service

The Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (SATA)[17] provides city bus service. The majority of buses are lift-equipped, and the service operates from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. The service also provides a single daily bus run to and from Perry, Michigan, and another to and from Durand, Michigan.

Intercity Bus Service

Owosso is the headquarters of Indian Trails Bus Lines, which provides regularly scheduled intercity bus service from Owosso to connect with points throughout Michigan and the U. S. Indian Trails also provides chartered bus service to and from points throughout the U. S.

Air

Owosso Community Airport provides a 4,300-foot (1,300 m) long lighted runway for private planes and air taxi services.

Rail

Owosso is the headquarters of the Great Lakes Central Railroad, which provides freight service to Northern and Southern Michigan. It also provides chartered passenger rail service and tours through its association with Lake Central Rail Tours.

Culture

Curwood Castle, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Curwood Castle

Curwood Castle was the writing studio of the famous author James Oliver Curwood. In honor of the famous writer Owosso holds the annual Curwood Festival. The castle is now a museum that contains period antiques, and Curwood books, photos, and movie posters as well as memorabilia from the life of another one of Owosso’s native sons: Thomas E. Dewey.[18][19]

The Shiawassee Arts Center

The Shiawasse Arts Center exhibits and sells prints of Frederick Carl Frieseke, original work of other artists, holds art classes, competitions, and has exhibitions scheduled throughout the year.[20]

The Steam Railroading Institute

Located on South Washington Street, The Steam Railroading Institute includes a visitor center, passenger train cars and other rolling stock from railroads in the U. S. and Canada, and a 3.5-acre (14,000 m2) area that holds a round house. Most impressive, however, are the steam engines, including the 82,000 pound Flagg Coal Company 75 switch engine, the 136,000 pound Mississippian (under restoration), and the 800,000 pound Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive and tender ― the largest operating steam locomotive in Michigan. The sounds of the steam engine train heard in the hit movie The Polar Express were recorded in Owosso. Steven Spielberg’s production company filmed the sights and sounds of the Owosso-based Steam Railroading Institute’s 1225 steam engine train locomotive for the computer rendering of the movie.

The Steam Railroading Institute offers weekend excursions throughout the summer on the trains and several all-day excursions throughout the year. The Institute also offers excursions on the famous North Pole Express during December.[21][22][23][24]

Owosso Speedway

Owosso Speedway is located about six miles (10 km) west of Owosso on M-21. The speedway contains grandstands, pits, and a 3/8 mile, high-banked, paved oval race track. Every Saturday night, from April through September, it features stock car and open wheel racing events.[217] In July 2008 Owosso Speedway was purchased by Fast Track Promotion INC. and made a strong resurgence in the Michigan racing community to reclaim its fame as one of the raciest asphalt tracks in the Midwest. Beginning in 2008 the speedway added a special event night that features school bus, push, pull and trailer races as an additional form of entertainment for fans periodically during the season. The "NATIONALS" at Owosso are a famous season end event (in late September) that feature a camping weekend and cars from across the Midwest that come to challenge rivals at the historic 3/8 mile.

The Movie Museum

Located in an early twentieth century church on East Oliver Street, The Movie Museum is an interactive education center that collects and preserves movie memorabilia including films, talks, records, equipment, biographies costumes, and ads. "Picture Show Snaps" are shown every Saturday evening beginning at 8:00 p.m.[25]

Historical Markers

The George Perrigo House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

In Owosso you can follow the Historical Markers to the birthplaces and homes on some of its most famous natives, such as James Oliver Curwood, Thomas E. Dewey, and Frederick Carl Frieseke.

Curwood Festival

Curwood Festival[26] is a four-day celebration of the life of the world-renowned Owosso author, James Oliver Curwood. The festival begins on the first Thursday of every June.

Curwood Festival has become a huge festival that draws people from around the United States and Canada. It includes a street fair, parades, contests including raft races, carnival rides, concerts, a medieval reenactment encampment and more.[27]

The Mitchell Amphitheater

The Mitchell Amphitheater is located in the valley behind Owosso Middle School and along the river, across from Curwood Castle. It is home to concerts and other events throughout every summer.[28]

The Shiawassee Center for the Performing Arts

The Shiawassee Center for the Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art, LEED Silver certified, theater and stage venue, incorporating the Lebowsky Center and the adjacent Studio Theater. Built in 1927 by the former "mayor of westown", Joseph Lebowsky (also spelt "Lebowski" at times), this vaudeville theater was home to Owosso cinema since shortly after opening until the mid-80s. After a short spell as a church it was taken over by The Owosso Community Players and used as a live performance theater with the presentation of year round theatrical events. The theater caught fire in February 2007 and the eastern wall buckled and fell. After the fire, the Owosso Community Players began an extensive fundraising campaign to rebuild the Lebowsky Center, and performed in space next door, the Studio Theater, donated by Chemical Bank.[29] The rebuild process began on March 27, 2013 and continued through the grand reopening of the rebuilt theater on May 9, 2014.

The Shiawassee Center for the Performing Arts hosts nearly a dozen live performances produced by the Owosso Community Players each year in the two venues, along with numerous other acts and shows. The Lebowsky Center seats 500 patrons, and the Studio Theater seats 130.

Shiawassee District Library

The Shiawassee District Library branch in Owosso was built on a Carnegie library grant. The library was granted $20,000 on April 2, 1913.[30] The library offers a variety of formats, materials, and services to provide for the informational and educational needs of its community members and to encourage the appreciation of reading.[31]

History

Alfred L. and Benjamin O. Williams were early settlers to the town. They drew Elias Comstock, who built the first permanent home in the settlement. Owosso was incorporated as a city in 1859 at which time it had 1000 people. It had never had a period as a village.[32] The town's first mayor was Amos Gould, a judge originally from New York. In 1876, it organized its fire department.[33]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Owosso, Michigan". City Data. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "Locations." Indian Trails. Retrieved on January 12, 2012. "Owosso (Main Office) 109 East Comstock Street Owosso, MI 48867"
  8. ↑ "."
  9. ↑ "Baker College of Owosso". Owosso.baker.edu. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  10. ↑ "The Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan". Autodieselinstitute.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  11. ↑ "Owosso Public Schools". Owosso K12. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  12. ↑ "St. Paul School". Spsowosso.org. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  13. ↑ Aaron Lighthill (2013-10-31). "Home". Salemowosso.org. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  14. ↑ http://www.owossosdaschool.org/
  15. ↑ "Home". Springvale.us. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  16. ↑ http://www.owossoindependent.com
  17. ↑ "MDOT - Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency". Michigan.gov. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  18. ↑ "The Official Richard Burmer Site". Richardburmer.com. 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  19. ↑ Miss Michigan
  20. ↑ "Book Excerpts | The Kevorkian Verdict | FRONTLINE". PBS. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  21. ↑ "Shiawassee Arts Council". Shiawasseearts.org. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  22. ↑ "Reflections of the Dome - July 2003". Irishlegends.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  23. ↑ http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/cities/Michigan/Owosso.html
  24. ↑ "Building Families And Communities Through The Promotion Of Short Track Racing". Owosso Speedway. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  25. ↑ "Railroad News Brief: January, 2003". Michiganrailroads.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  26. ↑ "Home". Curwood Festival. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  27. ↑ The Argus-Press (2005-04-01). "New Lothrop stops Corunna in baseball opener - The Argus-Press: Local Sports". The Argus-Press. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  28. ↑ "Lisa Freeman Author Speaker Lifelong Abuse Survivor Breaks Cycle of Abuse". Atime2heal.org. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  29. ↑ Nathan Brutell (June 16, 2009)"Lebowsky Decision Inches Closer" Argus Press
  30. ↑ List of Carnegie libraries in Michigan
  31. ↑ "Shiawassee District Library".
  32. ↑ "Shiawassee History".
  33. ↑ HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE AND CLINTON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN; 1880.
  34. ↑ Michigan Manual-Michigan Official Directory and Legislative Manual published by the State of Michigan 1939-1940. http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1640_9105-145857--,00.html
  35. ↑ "u-s-history.com"
  36. ↑ "Thomas E. Dewey". C250.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  37. ↑ "Governor Thomas E. Dewey - Internet Accuracy Project". Accuracyproject.org. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  38. ↑ "Alvin M. Bentley". Shiawasseehistory.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  39. ↑ "BENTLEY, Alvin Morell - Biographical Information". Bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
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  45. ↑ http://www.sdl.lib.mi.us/Frieseke.htm
  46. ↑ http://www.3d-dali.com/Artist-Biographies/Frederick_Carl_Frieseke.html
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  54. ↑ http://viterbi.usc.edu/academics/awards/nae.htm
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  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 http://www1.zyvex.com/nanoventures/2003BiosTomalia.html
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  58. ↑ http://www.lib.msu.edu/vincent/writers/fall04/index.htm
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  66. ↑ http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=13605
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  68. ↑ http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/notables.html
  69. ↑ http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9620_11154_41535-143079--,00.html
  70. ↑ http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/taylor.html
  71. ↑ http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Bill_Graham_1884
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External links

Coordinates: 42°59′52″N 84°10′36″W / 42.99778°N 84.17667°W