| GOWEN A LUMBER TOWN |
| On July 29, 1871 the Ionia Sentinel reported that a post-office will probably soon be established at the point heretofore known as Caywoods, five miles northwest of Greenville. It will be named Gowen a distinction bestowed upon Col. Gowen of the firm Fuller & Gowen who own the water power at this point. The railroad station at that point will also be called Gowen. In 1871 the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad was completed through the township of Montcalm and James Gowen having purchased the mill-property from the Flat River Boom Company, plotted the village which bears his name. The first train that passed over after its completion brought brick for the large hotel of this village. It was the first brick hotel in the county and with its furniture cost fifteen thousand dollars. The village now has three general stores and a drug store, a gristmill, saw-mill, planning-mill, and two shingle-mills. The saw-mill has a capacity of |
| forty thousand feet per day, fifteen thousand lath, and fifty thousand shingles. The power is ten feet head, two sixty six-inch Lapel's turbine-wheels, and is one of the best and most substantial powers in Central Michigan. The reservoir covers over six hundred acres. [From History of Ionia & Montcalm Counties.] The photograph at the top of this page was taken around 1872-73. It is a north view towards the village of Gowen. The mixed train with engine No.3 is standing on the bridge over the Flat River. Note the brick hotel in the top center. Pine street runs in front. The dam is to the left of the railroad bridge. There are many logs lying about and lumber of all sizes. Gowen was certainly a lumber town back then. This photo was from a folded post card. |
| August 2, 1871 the Greenville Independent reported that the building of the D.L.&L.M. extension had been delayed a few days at Gowen by the building of a bridge across the Flat River at that point. The bridge will probably be ready for the track today or tomorrow when track laying will be resumed. The photograph above is the Howe truss at Gowen shortly after completion. There is still no ballast under the approach to the bridge. The work train appears to have some ties still loaded towards the rear of the train. Photo, Gordon Lydeksen collection. |
| 1875 map of Gowen. This is from a 1875 map of Montcalm county at the Clarke Library printed on cloth. |
| Photo of the hotel I took in 1997. The Detroit, Lansing & Lake Michigan Railroad passed on the right side of this photo. |
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