Although administered separately, the city of Owosso, Michigan is mostly surrounded by Owosso Township, although a portion of it extends east to border Caledonia Township, in north-central Shiawassee County.
The census-designated place and unincorporated community of Middletown borders Owosso in the southeast, between Owosso and Corunna.
M-21 (Main Street) and M-52 (Shiawassee Street) intersect in the center of the city, while M-71 (Corunna Avenue) enters the city in the southeast and terminates at M-21.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Owosso include Corunna, Vernon, Ovid, Oakley, Morrice, Bancroft, Durand, Perry, Lennon, Laingsburg, Chesaning, Elsie, New Lothrop, Gaines, Byron, St. Johns, and Swartz Creek.
The peak population of Owosso was 17,179 in 1970. Since then, the city has declined each census year to a current population below 15,000.
Owosso is the headquarters of the Great Lakes Central Railroad, which provides freight service throughout the Lower Peninsula, as well as chartered passenger rail service and tours through a cooperative agreement with Lake Central Rail Tours. At various times in its history, Owosso has had railroad stations for various railroad companies, including the Ann Arbor Railroad, the New York Central Railroad, the Michigan Central Railway, and the Grand Trunk Western Railroad.
The Owosso Police Department dates back to the early 1900s, and is currently housed in the Department of Public Safety Building on Water Street, and funded mostly through the city's general fund. The Owosso Fire Department began as four companies formed by volunteers in 1876. These companies were disbanded in 1890 when the city assumed control, forming a volunteer fire department, which evolved into a full-time department in 1907. Funded through the general fund, the department operates fire and EMS services.
The public PK-12 education provider for the city is Owosso Public Schools, which operates Bentley Bright Beginnings, Emerson Elementary School, Bryant Elementary School, Central Elementary School, Owosso Middle School, Owosso High School, and Lincoln Alternative High School.
Other schools operating within the city include Spring Vale Christian School (PK-12), St. Paul Catholic School (K-8), Salem Lutheran School (PK-8), and Sycamore Tree Christian Preschool.
Baker College is a non-profit private college that relocated its main campus from Flint to the southern part of Owosso in 2020.
Although Owosso is the largest city in Shiawassee County, the county seat is a few miles to the southeast, in Corunna. At the time that the county was surveyed, the land was inhabited by a Chippewa tribe headed by Chief Wassa, and it was from him that the city's name was derived.
The first European-American land acquisition in the area that was to become Owosso was made by Benjamin O. and Alfred L. Williams on August 2, 1833, although Elias Comstock, Lewis Findley, and Findley's son-in-law, Kilburn Bedell, were the first to settle in the township in 1835. The first building constructed within the area of the city itself was a double log house built near the Shiawassee River by John D. Overton and David Van Wormer, who was employed by Mr. Comstock. In 1837, a millrace, sawmill, and dam were built, along with a log trading post at what is now the intersection of Main and Water Streets.
Originally, the fledgling community was known as Big Rapids but, when a post office was established on November 4, 1838, it was named Owasso. Daniel Ball was the first postmaster.
Steamboats and flat-bottom boat transports were operating in the river prior to 1839, the railroad was built to the area in 1857, and the city was incorporated in 1859. Its population was approximately one thousand at that time.
Although the current spelling was in common use by 1844, the name of the city and post office was not officially changed to Owosso until the summer of 1875.
By the early 1870s. Owosso was a major railroad town, which contributed to the city's economy directly, as well as supported the growth of several other industries. Although automobiles were not manufactured in Owosso, local companies were involved in the manufacture of car bodies and trim, batteries, electric motors, and other automobile components.
Although the city still supports several industries, it has experienced a sharp decline since the 1970s, which is reflected in a gradual population decline each census year since 1970.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the City of Owosso, Michigan. Online resources for the municipal government, any other governmental bodies within the city, as well as local businesses, industries, educational institutions, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities, are appropriate for this category.
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Recommended Resources
The Evening Argus and the Press-American merged in 1916 to form the Owosso Argus-Press, although its roots go back to 1854. The independent, family-owned newspaper is published daily, except for holidays. Subscription rates, and information about advertising, classified ads, and event promotions are set forth, along with online forms, obituaries, opinion columns, local sports stories, weather, community items, religion, announcements, and legal notices are included.
https://www.argus-press.com/
Mostly surrounded by Owosso Township on its west, Owosso is the largest city in Shiawassee County, Michigan. The official municipal website features news and announcements from the city, garbage and brush pickup times and policies, job openings, and an overview of the city's departments and services. Also featured is a community calendar, city council meeting notices, agendas, and minutes, as well as access to various forms, applications, reports, brochures, and other documents.
https://www.ci.owosso.mi.us/
In business since 1946, Clark Engineering offers a variety of manufacturing options, including CNC wire forming, CNC machining, cold heading, presses and stamping, Poka-Yokes and automation, multi-slide, and four slide machining, assembly, production, welding, and others. Its office, machining, and steel plant locations are provided, along with phone and fax numbers, hours, and contacts. Its capabilities, engineering, quality control, and products are highlighted, and videos are provided.
https://www.clarkengineering.net/
Sponsored by Owosso Main Street, the local arm of a community revitalization program begun by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Owosso Main Street board is the same as that of the Owosso Downtown Development Authority. Available business and development resources, sponsorships, and programs of the organizations are set forth, with a guide to local attractions, day trips, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, as well as community events, and contact data.
https://downtownowosso.org/
The Commission operates Curwood Castle, a writing and conservation studio museum, as well as Comstock Pioneer Cabin, Woodard Paymaster Building, Amos Gould House, Ivan Conger Archive Room, and Historical Archives, each of which are featured here, along with a list of commission members, and it's core strategies. Office locations, hours, and contacts are set forth, and a contact form is included, with a calendar of events, and information about visiting its properties.
http://owossohistory.org/
The main SDL library facility is in Owosso, Michigan, while a branch library is in Durand. Directions and the address for both are presented, with the hours of operation, contacts, and other details. Board members are acknowledged, a calendar of events, policy data, and employment opportunities are displayed, and the library’s on-site and online services and resources are discussed, including cardholder access to their accounts, the library catalog, and downloadable resources.
http://www.sdl.lib.mi.us/
Featuring multiple television and a large projector that streams sports games all day long, as well as an in-restaurant arcade, a full bar, and a diverse menu, the Owosso, Michigan bar also offers catering services in and around Owosso, or in its private room. Its location, hours of operation, food and drink menus, and an overview of its catering services are provided. Customer testimonials are published on the site, and its address, a map, contacts, and an online order form are provided.
https://sidelineowosso.com/
The Owosso, Michigan auto dealership was founded as an Oldsmobile Cadillac dealership in 1981, and currently carries Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC vehicles at its three-store campus, along with pre-owned vehicles on its used car lot. Its locations and hours of operation are featured, and an online inventory search may be made on available new and pre-owned vehicles, while monthly specials are highlighted. Finance options are discussed, and its service center is featured.
https://www.youngautosales.com/
