Westphalia

History

Westphalia was founded in 1836 by a group of German settlers. It was named after the province of Westphalia in Germany. These settlers were German Catholics who emigrated from the Westphalian cities of Wimbach, Meerhof, and from Hesse, among others, and found the rich soil ideal for farming. Some family members stayed in Detroit, while others moved into the wilderness to clear farmland. The German-Catholic parish was established almost immediately after the settlers arrived. After buying the land at Ionia, Father Anton Kopp traveled to Detroit to visit Bishop Friedrich Reese, and returned to his assigned parish in September 1837, where he celebrated Masses in the homes of the settlers in what is now St. Mary's Parish. In 2012, the village celebrated its 175th anniversary.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which is land and (2.63%) is water.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,648
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,625
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,512
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  1,493
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  1,400
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,351
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,316
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  1,246

Largest nearby schools

• PewamoWestphalia MiddleHigh School
  High · WESTPHALIA · 468 students · 19.5:1 ratio
• Wacousta Elementary School
  Elementary · EAGLE · 431 students · 16.6:1 ratio
• Riley Elementary School
  Elementary · SAINT JOHNS · 315 students · 17.5:1 ratio
• Waldron Elementary and Middle School
  Elementary · FOWLER · 266 students · 14.8:1 ratio
• Fowler High School
  High · FOWLER · 177 students · 19.7:1 ratio