Otsego Michigan
The City Of Otsego, MI
Otsego is a city located in Allegan County, Michigan. The population is 3,976, and the town is part of Otsego Township, but it has its own administrative structure. Otsego is located three miles west of Plainwell and US 131 on M-89. The Kalamazoo River flows through Ostego (east to west), about nine miles southeast of Allegan.
The city’s total area is 2.1 square miles, of which 2.0 square miles is land, and 0.1 square miles is water.
History Of Otsego Michigan
Otsego, MI was founded in 1831, and its first settlers, Giles Scott and Hull Sherwood named it Pine Creek. In 1832, a post office was established under the name Allegan, which was changed to Otsego in 1835 when Allegan County was formed, spearheaded by Otsego resident Dr. Samuel Foster. In 1833, a school was established in the new town, and in the 1860s, a hotel, the Tompkins House, was built.
Otsego made significant progress in the 1880s. In 1885, a home-delivery milk route was established; and in 1886, a volunteer fire department was established, which is still active today but no longer uses horse-drawn water wagons. In 1888, the city’s Republican Club was founded.
In 1890, the city’s popular baseball park was sold to local Catholics as a church site. The Russell Buggy Company, which made popular ironclad carriages, also came to town. The Bardeen Mansion was built in 1894 and remained a popular tourist attraction until it was demolished in 1962–63. In 1894, the city was also swept by a smallpox epidemic.
Arts & Entertainment In Otsego
Many natural lakes/rivers, recreational parks, golf courses, two ski resorts, and various community events or festivals can be found in the Otsego area. It’s a fantastic shopping destination with a variety of antique and specialty shops as well as restaurants. Popular attractions include:
- Kalamazoo Nature Center
- US 131 Motorsports Park
- Bittersweet Ski Resort
- Allegan County Historical Society/Museum
- Old Mill Brewpub & Grill
- Timber Ridge Ski Area
Otsego, MI Demographics
- Population: 3,976
- Average Age: 39.6
- Population Under The Age Of 18: 20.8%
- Population Over The Age Of 65: 21.7%
- Persons Per Household
- Median Home Value: $119,500
- Median Household Income: $45,000
- Average Work Commute: 19.7 min
Education In Otsego
At all levels, the Otsego Public Schools System has an excellent educational reputation and provides a wide range of extracurricular activities. The school system is large enough to offer subjects ranging from theater to advanced computer applications as a class “B” school. However, classes are still small enough for all students to receive individual attention. For classes, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 23:1. Three local parochial schools also provide elementary and secondary education.
The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency, located 15 minutes west of Otsego, offers various business and industrial skills training programs. The Michigan Business and Industrial Training Program is also a part of the Intermediate School District (MBIT). This service will create a customized training program for any new or expanding Allegan County company. Referral/selection, company orientation, quality-of-work/life, pre-employment skills, and in-plant training are among the services provided.
Otsego’s Public Services
Otsego’s administrative, police, fire, public works, water, wastewater treatment, assessing, and inspection departments are all run by the city. Further city information is available at Ostego city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month, the City Commission meets at City Hall, 117 E. Orleans Street.