Lawrence

History

Founded in 1835 as "Mason" (in honor of then-popular first Territorial Governor Stevens T. Mason) by speculator/developer John Allen of Ann Arbor. Allen purchased 40 acres at the location of today's Brush Creek and Paw Paw River. He constructed a sawmill there in 1836, and by 1843, it was a small village of 10 homes. Each of the residents' families engaged in various trades: carpentry, farming, livestock trading, and two blacksmiths. During these first 7 years, John Allen renamed the new village "Brush Creek", then sold all his interests to Paw Paw resident John R. Baker. Allen left Michigan, taking his profits to California to try other real estate deals. Mr Baker did not care for the new Brush Creek name, stating, "not to call my bright little village by the ugly name of Brush Creek." He rechristened it Lawrence, following the name of Lawrence Township, which had been previously established in 1835. The Lawrence Township name was derived from James Lawrence, a hero from the War of 1812. The population increased from approximately 70 residents in 1840 to 339 in 1860, and to 555 by 1870. In March 1869, the Village of Lawrence was incorporated under an act of the Legislature, with approval by election of village officers in May 1869, at which 139 men voted.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Redwood Elementary
  Elementary · Hartford · 567 students · 16.7:1 ratio
• Paw Paw Middle School
  Middle · PAW PAW · 475 students · 17:1 ratio
• Paw Paw Early Elementary School
  Elementary · PAW PAW · 472 students · 16.3:1 ratio
• Paw Paw Later Elementary
  Elementary · PAW PAW · 462 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• Decatur Jr Sr High School
  High · DECATUR · 405 students · 21.3:1 ratio
• Hartford High School
  High · HARTFORD · 404 students · 21.3:1 ratio
• Davis Elementary School
  Elementary · DECATUR · 380 students · 15.2:1 ratio
• South Walnut Elementary School
  Elementary · BANGOR · 335 students · 12:1 ratio