Fowler

History

Originally called "Dallas", Fowler was created when Robert Highman, Chief Engineer of the Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee Railroad, and E.A Wales acquired a tract of land along the railroad right-of-way in 1857. The Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee railroad completed the rail line though the area in July and August 1857. Dallas was later changed to Isabella and subsequently Fowler. A few years after the founding of Dallas, the town had little economic growth and was subsequently moved to a tract of land 1/10 of a mile west of the original tract, owned by John N. Fowler and in 1869 the name was changed to "Fowler". The village was originally settled in a swampy area and the move was driven by the lack of economic growth. In 1885, the town was incorporated as a village in Clinton County, reportedly during a high growth lumber boom. In 1905, massive flooding in the area washed out a culvert three and a half miles west of town. A Grand Trunk work train was sent to repair the culvert but plunged into the creek, killing five men. Fowler remains a small rural community, serving the needs of the local farming community and as a satellite community to Lansing.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which is land and (2.22%) is water. The village is located within Dallas Township on M-21 about west of St. Johns and about east of Grand Rapids. It is about north of I-96 via county roads. The village is served by the 48835 ZIP Code.

Race & ethnicity