Otsego and Plainwell

by Ryan Wieber and Sandy Stamm

Book Overview

In 1831, Samuel Foster and his family built a log house near the rapids of the Kalamazoo River at what is now downtown Otsego. Soon others interested in utilizing the power afforded by the river set up sawmills and grain mills for newly arriving settlers, and the beginnings of a town quickly took shape. In the 1900s, Otsego became synonymous with the paper industry, and for a while, seven paper mills were in operation at the same time. Plainwell, originally called Plainfield and the Junction, situated itself at the crossroads of the old plank roads that led to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Allegan. Here too, the paper industry played an important part in the growth of Plainwell. Since the downtown area is completely surrounded by the Kalamazoo River and a millrace, it is now referred to as the Island City." Plainwell's historic heritage is evident today through its quaint downtown architecture and beautifully restored neighborhood homes. Otsego and Plainwell have grown up close to each other and share their stories, families, and traditions."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738541168
• ISBN13: 9780738541167
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful

This is a wonderful pictoral journey through one of Michigans little towns. It depicts the people, the industry, the country and the things that shaped their lives. I personally would have like to see more but this was not enough reason to give it only 4 stars. However, it is a reason to have another book.

Otsego and Plainwell

What a lovley view of the midwestern small town.. the old pictures are very enjoyable. The history, too, that they impart fits so many times and places.. a book to keep out and share with friends and children. Perhaps, especially, children... since it is like a different world from what they know, but there is still a hint here and there of what still is in the what was...