The City of Otsego, Michigan is surrounded by Otsego Township, in the southeastern portion of Allegan County.
Michigan has an Otsego County, but it is more than two hundred miles to the north. The city of Otsego is in Southwest Michigan, near Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo River flows through the northern part of the city.
US-131 runs north-south just east of the city, while M-89 (Allegan Street) runs through the city, intersecting with US-131. Cities and villages within twenty miles of Otsego include Plainwell, Martin, Allegan, Parchment, Hopkins, Richland, Gobles, Kalamazoo, Bloomingdale, and Wayland.
Otsego's peak population was 4,142 in 1960, and its current population is just under four thousand.
The city's riverfront has been home to most of the city's industries, while the nearby downtown district is the focal point of the Otsego. Residential districts radiate outward from the commercial district. This is a pattern of development that stemmed from the early days of the city, when residences were built close to the downtown area, railroad lines, and local sources of employment, with the river providing electricity, shipping, and operating water.
Much of Otsego's residential area is south of the river, and mostly single-family residential, while its high and medium density residential projects are on the outskirts of the city, particularly the southeast.
Otsego's commercial property is centered on the M-89 corridor, and is primarily retail and service-oriented. Although the central business district of the city is not a destination point, it offers services and products to local residents and travelers.
Industrial lands within the city are concentrated along the northern shores of the river, although there are a couple of industrial sites in the southeastern portion of the city.
The city's K-12 population is served by Otsego Public Schools, which operates seven campuses, one (Alamo Elementary School) in Alamo Township, the others in Otsego: Dix Street Elementary School, Washington Street Elementary School, Otsego Middle School, Otsego High School, West Campus High School, and Learn 'N Grow Early Education Center. There are also three parochial schools within the city: St. Margaret's Catholic School, Peace Evangelical Lutheran School, and the First Baptist Church Academy.
There are four public parks in Otsego, some with ballfields and playground equipment, while others are more passive or nature-based.
The first European-American settlers on the land that became Otsego were probably the Samuel Foster family, who came in 1831. Other early settlers included Giles Scott, Hull Sherwood, and Horace H. Comstock, who came in 1832. Originally, the settlement was known as Pine Creek.
In 1832, a post office was established as Allegan but, with the organization of Allegan County in 1835, led by Samuel Foster, an Otsego resident, the post office name was changed to Otsego on March 16, 1835, and the newly designated county seat for Allegan County was assigned the name Allegan, with Samuel Foster as postmaster, while Horace H. Comstock was appointed postmaster for Otsego, named for Lake Otsego and Otsego County in New York.
In 1836, Mr. Comstock built a dam, a mill-race, and a sawmill. He employed O.J. Wilder to plat the townsite that same year, and Otsego was incorporated as a village in 1865, and as a city in 1918.
Otsego's first school opened in 1833, and a hotel (Tompkins House) was built in the 1860s. In 1866, a volunteer fire department was organized, using horse-drawn water wagons. The Otsego Fire Department is still in operation, serving the city and township of Otsego.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the City of Otsego, Michigan. Appropriate resources include websites for the municipal government and any other governmental body within the city, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities.
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Recommended Resources
Situated along M-89 in southeast Allegan County, the city was established in 1831. The official municipal website features a city calendar, an introduction to the city council and commissions, meeting agendas and minutes, and contacts for city departments, services, and programs. Also included are city maps, its master plan, ordinances, property information, tax data, various reports, demographics, and an overview of its economic development strategies. An online contact form is included.
https://www.cityofotsego.org/
Otsego Area Historical Society
OAHS is a non-profit organization formed to preserve and promote the history of Otsego, Michigan, and the surrounding area, including the operation of a museum that is housed in the historic Water Works building at the North Farmer Street Bridge. A profile and history of the organization, project reports, program schedules, and its membership levels and fees are posted, and a membership form can be downloaded from the site. Period photo negatives and books may be purchased from its online store.
http://www.otsegohistory.org/
Otsego District Public Library
Situated on Dix Street in Otsego, Michigan, the public library is open every day but Sunday. The library address, hours, instructions for using its drive-through pickup window, and after-hours pickup lockers are given, along with information about accessing the library catalog, digital downloads, and accounts, obtaining a library card, and its programs for children. A calendar of programs and events sponsored by the library is posted, and its resources are outlined on the library site.
https://otsegolibrary.org/
Otsego Plainwell Area Chamber of Commerce
Headquartered in Otsego, Michigan, the Chamber assists member businesses through collaboration between the Otsego and Plainwell communities, as well as referrals, visibility, promotion, education, and prestige along with sponsoring a variety of events throughout the year. The benefits of membership are outlined, and an application may be downloaded in PDF format. Other resources include a member directory, a community calendar, a visitor's guide, sponsorships, and job postings.
https://www.otsegoplainwellnow.org/
The K-12 public school district operates three elementary schools, a middle school, two high schools, an early childhood elementary program, and a virtual school program, each of which is featured here, along with a district calendar, school calendars, departmental contacts, faculty and staff contacts, job opportunities, and curriculum and instructional data. Its athletics and fine arts programs are featured, and tickets may be purchased online. Staff references and forms are also available.
https://www.otsegops.org/
Surrounding the city of Otsego, the civil township is in southeast Allegan County, in the southwestern segment of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The official township website posts updates and official notices, and takes payments on water, sewer, and township taxes. The office location and contacts are posted, along with board meeting times, agendas, and minutes, as well as a township calendar, departmental contacts, trash collection information, and the township master plan.
http://www.otsegotownship.org/
