Dowagiac, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Dowagiac is a city in Cass County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the South Bend
–Mishawaka
, IN
-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Dowagiac is situated at the corner of four townships: Wayne Township
to the northeast, LaGrange Township to the southeast, Pokagon Township
to the southwest, and Silver Creek Township
to the northwest.
The city name comes from the Potawatomi
word meaning "fishing water".
, the city has a total area of 4 square miles (10.4 km²), of which, 4 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.74%) is water.
Dowagiac Woods
Nature Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Dowagiac Woods
, a 235 acre (0.9510121 km²) woods located in Cass, is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan's exceptional natural habitats and extraordinary and endangered plants and animals.
The Dowagiac River
flows from the stream which rises as the "Dowagiac Drain" in central Decatur Township in southern Van Buren County, Michigan. It is joined first by the "Red Run" and then by the "Lake of the Woods Drain" near the southern edge of Hamilton Township, it becomes the "Dowagiac River" before entering into Wayne Township in Cass County. North of the city of Dowagiac, the river passes through the "Dowagiac Swamp". Just west of Dowagiac, the river is joined by its principal tributary, the "Dowagiac Creek".
of 2000, there were 6,147 people, 2,421 households, and 1,542 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,530.8 per square mile (590.4/km²). There were 2,631 housing units at an average density of 655.2 per square mile (252.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.95% White, 15.63% African American, 2.02% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 1.59% from other races
, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 2,421 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples
living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,926, and the median income for a family was $33,443. Males had a median income of $28,534 versus $22,282 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,659. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
and M-62
. M-51 connects with Niles
17 miles (27.4 km) to the southwest and with I-94
21 miles (33.8 km) to the northeast. M-62 connects with Cassopolis
eight miles (13 km) to the southeast and with M-140
nine miles (14 km) to the west.
trains with daily service to Chicago
& Detroit. The historic depot is located at 100 Railroad Street in the downtown area. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any "personal items" such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons.
Dowagiac is home to one of the few remaining drive-in theater
s in the area, 5-Mile Drive-In Theater, located at the intersection of M-51
and M-152
. It is named after its location of "Five Mile Corners", located five miles (8 km) north of Dowagiac on M-51. Lutz's Drive-In Restaurant is located next to the theater, and is quite popular in the summer months.
Dowagiac is located in close proximity to the area known as Sister Lakes, in nearby Keeler Township
, providing a very popular summer vacation home for many Chicago-area residents who have cabins and homes on the various lakes. A favorite restaurant near Sister Lakes is Driftwood Summer Shop, an ice cream parlor and arcade on Round Lake. Another on Round Lake is Captain Jack's Redwood Inn, which also includes a small resort hotel. Big Crooked Lake has the Lakeview Inn, a neighborhood watering hole for over 30 years. Twin Lakes in Wayne Township
is another local recreation area. They are two small lakes northeast of Dowagiac. Other attractions in the area include the Ramona Roller Rink and Lakes Bowl.
Downtown Dowagiac has several popular restaurants and bars, including Zeke's Food and Spirits, where there is an assortment of 250+ brands of beer. Zeke's is home to the World Tour of Beers beer club. Also located downtown are the Round Oak Restaurant, Philo's Pub, The Wounded Minnow Saloon (named as an homage to the Heddon
heritage), Wood Fire Italian Trattoria (featuring live jazz and blues three nights per week), and Saylor's Pizza, which bills itself as "Home of the $5 Pizza". Located across from "The Home of The $5 Pizza" is Mr. K's Wearhouse, "Home of the $5 Custom T-shirt", which offers custom embroidered, and screenprinted apparel. Also at home in Dowagiac is Caruso's Candy & Soda Shoppe, family owned and operated since 1922, with a fully operating old fashioned soda fountain
, homemade candy, and lunch. It is located in the center of downtown Dowagiac at 130 S. Front St.
and also Woodfire Italian Tratoria, a fine dinning restaurant located downtown dowagiac, known for over 70% of its menu being cooked in a wood fire oven running off of 100% fruit wood from local farms
s left in Michigan. When Michigan did have Armor units (194? — Oct 2006), the Armor Battalion was headquartered in Dowagiac. The Armory Battalion started off temporarily in a warehouse located near what is now Ameriwood while the Armory itself was being planned and built. Finished in the fall of 1957, the Armory now stands near the airport, on the corner of West Prairie Ronde Street and Middle Crossing Road. Notable features of the Armory include the M60A1 tank
located at the corner, and the 246 Association Memorial for soldiers who served with Headquarters 246th Armor that have died.
Headquarters 1/246th Armor served at the Dowagiac Armory from the 1940s until it was disbanded in 1999. Members of the 1/246th Armor were involved in the 1967 Detroit riot and helped support the 1996 Summer Olympics
in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1999, the 1/246th Armor was converted to the 1/126th Armor (taking on the lineage and honors of the famed 126th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Wyoming, Michigan
, and the soldiers in the Dowagiac Armory now belonged to D Company/1-126th Armor. Following the actions of September 11, 2001, soldiers of D Company/1-126th Armor were mobilized stateside under Operation Noble Eagle
for U.S. Air Port and Air National Guard
Airbase security enforcement, and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to Texas
and California
. They were also attached with B/1-126 which deployed to Iraq
in 2004 and to an Embedded Training Team which deployed to Afghanistan
in 2005, as part of the war on terrorism
.
In 2006, the 1/126th Armor converted to the 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment also headquartered in Wyoming, Michigan. The unit at the Dowagiac Armory were now changed to C Troop/1-126 Cavalry Squadron. C Troop is the Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop in the Cavalry Squadron. C Troop is composed mainly of the Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) 11B and 11C (Infantryman and Indirect Fire Infantryman) while the majority of the squadron is composed of MOS 19D (Cavalry Scout
). Soldiers of the 1/126 Cav were mobilized to Fort Hood in January 2008, deployed to Iraq and Kuwait
in April 2008, and returned home in December 2008.
Cass County, Michigan
Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,104. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the South Bend
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
–Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka is a city on the St. Joseph River and a Twin city of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. The population was 48,252 as of the 2010 Census...
, IN
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area
South Bend-Mishawaka metropolitan area
The South Bend–Mishawaka Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties – one in northern Indiana and one in southwest Michigan, anchored by the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka in Indiana...
.
Dowagiac is situated at the corner of four townships: Wayne Township
Wayne Township, Michigan
Wayne Township is a civil township of Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,861 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
to the northeast, LaGrange Township to the southeast, Pokagon Township
Pokagon Township, Michigan
Pokagon Township is a civil township of Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,199 at the 2000 census. The township includes the unincorporated communities of Pokagon and Sumnerville, adjacent to each other on M-51....
to the southwest, and Silver Creek Township
Silver Creek Township, Michigan
Silver Creek Township is a civil township of Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,491 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
to the northwest.
The city name comes from the Potawatomi
Potawatomi language
Potawatomi is a Central Algonquian language and is spoken around the Great Lakes in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in Kansas in the United States, and in southern Ontario in Canada, 1300 Potawatomi people, all elderly...
word meaning "fishing water".
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4 square miles (10.4 km²), of which, 4 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.74%) is water.
Dowagiac Woods
Dowagiac Woods
Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Dowagiac Woods, is a woods located in Cass County, Michigan. It is maintained and preserved by the Michigan Nature Association which is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan's exceptional natural habitats and...
Nature Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Dowagiac Woods
Dowagiac Woods
Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Dowagiac Woods, is a woods located in Cass County, Michigan. It is maintained and preserved by the Michigan Nature Association which is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan's exceptional natural habitats and...
, a 235 acre (0.9510121 km²) woods located in Cass, is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan's exceptional natural habitats and extraordinary and endangered plants and animals.
The Dowagiac River
Dowagiac River
The Dowagiac River is a stream in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan.The stream rises as the "Dowagiac Drain" a few miles east of Decatur in central Decatur Township in southern Van Buren County, Michigan...
flows from the stream which rises as the "Dowagiac Drain" in central Decatur Township in southern Van Buren County, Michigan. It is joined first by the "Red Run" and then by the "Lake of the Woods Drain" near the southern edge of Hamilton Township, it becomes the "Dowagiac River" before entering into Wayne Township in Cass County. North of the city of Dowagiac, the river passes through the "Dowagiac Swamp". Just west of Dowagiac, the river is joined by its principal tributary, the "Dowagiac Creek".
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,147 people, 2,421 households, and 1,542 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,530.8 per square mile (590.4/km²). There were 2,631 housing units at an average density of 655.2 per square mile (252.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.95% White, 15.63% African American, 2.02% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 1.59% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 2,421 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,926, and the median income for a family was $33,443. Males had a median income of $28,534 versus $22,282 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,659. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Air
Dowagiac Municipal Airport has a 4700 feet (1,432.6 m) long paved runway for private pilots & a turf runway as well.Highways
The city is at the junction of M-51M-51 (Michigan highway)
M-51, is a north–south state trunkline highway in the southwestern portion of the US state of Michigan. The northern terminus is on I-94 west of Paw Paw, where it continues north for less than a mile to W Red Arrow Highway as Van Buren CR 671, and the southern terminus is at the Indiana state...
and M-62
M-62 (Michigan highway)
M-62 is an arc-shaped state trunkline highway in the southwestern part of the US state of Michigan. The route runs from the Indiana state line north and west to M-140 in Eau Claire. In between, it serves the western Cass County communities of Dowagiac and Cassopolis. The highway was formed in the...
. M-51 connects with Niles
Niles, Michigan
Niles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
17 miles (27.4 km) to the southwest and with I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
21 miles (33.8 km) to the northeast. M-62 connects with Cassopolis
Cassopolis, Michigan
Cassopolis is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 14,275. It is the county seat of Cass County. The village and county are named after statesman Lewis Cass, a New Hampshire native and a prominent U.S...
eight miles (13 km) to the southeast and with M-140
M-140 (Michigan highway)
M-140 is a short state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. the route is entirely within Berrien and Van Buren counties. Although it runs near M-40, it was not designated as a spur from M-40. M-140 originally only existed north of Watervliet, as a designation to replace a rerouted U.S...
nine miles (14 km) to the west.
Bus
One of the oldest dial-a-ride services in Michigan, Dowagiac DART began service in June 1975 with a three bus fleet. The service is provided to the community of Dowagiac with service extended out to Southwest Michigan College. The service is provided by the city administration and is operated from a multi-modal terminal located on an Amtrak line. In its former life, the building was originally a Michigan Central, and later a Penn Central, train station. The building has been preserved and is carefully maintained by the City of Dowagiac.Rail
Dowagiac is served by AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
trains with daily service to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
& Detroit. The historic depot is located at 100 Railroad Street in the downtown area. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any "personal items" such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons.
Attractions and dining
Drive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
s in the area, 5-Mile Drive-In Theater, located at the intersection of M-51
M-51 (Michigan highway)
M-51, is a north–south state trunkline highway in the southwestern portion of the US state of Michigan. The northern terminus is on I-94 west of Paw Paw, where it continues north for less than a mile to W Red Arrow Highway as Van Buren CR 671, and the southern terminus is at the Indiana state...
and M-152
M-152 (Michigan highway)
M-152 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan in Cass and Van Buren counties. The highway runs through the Sister Lakes area providing access to the lake cabins and adjoining farmlands...
. It is named after its location of "Five Mile Corners", located five miles (8 km) north of Dowagiac on M-51. Lutz's Drive-In Restaurant is located next to the theater, and is quite popular in the summer months.
Dowagiac is located in close proximity to the area known as Sister Lakes, in nearby Keeler Township
Keeler Township, Michigan
Keeler Township is a civil township of Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 2,601.Keeler Township is largely agricultural, though it has a large influx of summer visitors who own cottages or stay at summer resorts in the Sister Lakes area in the...
, providing a very popular summer vacation home for many Chicago-area residents who have cabins and homes on the various lakes. A favorite restaurant near Sister Lakes is Driftwood Summer Shop, an ice cream parlor and arcade on Round Lake. Another on Round Lake is Captain Jack's Redwood Inn, which also includes a small resort hotel. Big Crooked Lake has the Lakeview Inn, a neighborhood watering hole for over 30 years. Twin Lakes in Wayne Township
Wayne Township, Michigan
Wayne Township is a civil township of Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,861 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
is another local recreation area. They are two small lakes northeast of Dowagiac. Other attractions in the area include the Ramona Roller Rink and Lakes Bowl.
Downtown Dowagiac has several popular restaurants and bars, including Zeke's Food and Spirits, where there is an assortment of 250+ brands of beer. Zeke's is home to the World Tour of Beers beer club. Also located downtown are the Round Oak Restaurant, Philo's Pub, The Wounded Minnow Saloon (named as an homage to the Heddon
Heddon
Heddon is a brand of artificial fishing lures created by James Heddon, who is credited with the invention of the first artificial fishing lures made of wood in the late 1890s....
heritage), Wood Fire Italian Trattoria (featuring live jazz and blues three nights per week), and Saylor's Pizza, which bills itself as "Home of the $5 Pizza". Located across from "The Home of The $5 Pizza" is Mr. K's Wearhouse, "Home of the $5 Custom T-shirt", which offers custom embroidered, and screenprinted apparel. Also at home in Dowagiac is Caruso's Candy & Soda Shoppe, family owned and operated since 1922, with a fully operating old fashioned soda fountain
Soda fountain
A soda fountain is a device that dispenses carbonated drinks. They can be found in restaurants, concession stands and other locations such as convenience stores...
, homemade candy, and lunch. It is located in the center of downtown Dowagiac at 130 S. Front St.
and also Woodfire Italian Tratoria, a fine dinning restaurant located downtown dowagiac, known for over 70% of its menu being cooked in a wood fire oven running off of 100% fruit wood from local farms
National Guard
Dowagiac is also Michigan's "Home of Armor," even though there are no more Armor unitArmoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
s left in Michigan. When Michigan did have Armor units (194? — Oct 2006), the Armor Battalion was headquartered in Dowagiac. The Armory Battalion started off temporarily in a warehouse located near what is now Ameriwood while the Armory itself was being planned and built. Finished in the fall of 1957, the Armory now stands near the airport, on the corner of West Prairie Ronde Street and Middle Crossing Road. Notable features of the Armory include the M60A1 tank
M60 Patton
The 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank, M60, also known unofficially as the M60 Patton, is a first-generation main battle tank introduced in December 1960. It was widely used by the U.S. and its Cold War allies, especially those in NATO, and remains in service throughout the world today...
located at the corner, and the 246 Association Memorial for soldiers who served with Headquarters 246th Armor that have died.
Headquarters 1/246th Armor served at the Dowagiac Armory from the 1940s until it was disbanded in 1999. Members of the 1/246th Armor were involved in the 1967 Detroit riot and helped support the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1999, the 1/246th Armor was converted to the 1/126th Armor (taking on the lineage and honors of the famed 126th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
, and the soldiers in the Dowagiac Armory now belonged to D Company/1-126th Armor. Following the actions of September 11, 2001, soldiers of D Company/1-126th Armor were mobilized stateside under Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle is the name given to military operations related to homelandsecurity and support to federal, state, and local agencies...
for U.S. Air Port and Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
Airbase security enforcement, and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. They were also attached with B/1-126 which deployed to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in 2004 and to an Embedded Training Team which deployed to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in 2005, as part of the war on terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
.
In 2006, the 1/126th Armor converted to the 1st Squadron 126th Cavalry Regiment also headquartered in Wyoming, Michigan. The unit at the Dowagiac Armory were now changed to C Troop/1-126 Cavalry Squadron. C Troop is the Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop in the Cavalry Squadron. C Troop is composed mainly of the Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) 11B and 11C (Infantryman and Indirect Fire Infantryman) while the majority of the squadron is composed of MOS 19D (Cavalry Scout
Cavalry Scout
The Cavalry Scout is a job title and a reconnaissance specialist in the United States Army. Cavalry Scouts work to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and on combat circumstances and environmental conditions. The role originated with the United States...
). Soldiers of the 1/126 Cav were mobilized to Fort Hood in January 2008, deployed to Iraq and Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in April 2008, and returned home in December 2008.
Elementary-schools
- Kincheloe ElementaryKincheloe elementaryKincheloe Elementary School ...Kincheloe Elementary School is a Kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school building located Northeast of Dowagiac, Michigan...
- Sister Lakes Elementary
- Justice Gage Elementary
- Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Notable residents
- Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Irish author)Michael Collins is an Irish novelist and also an international ultra-distance runner. He is a current member of the Irish National Team for the 100k distance and holds the Irish national masters record over the 100k distance...
Irish novelist and international ultra-distance runner - Billi Gordon - Model, Actor, Author, Television & Film Writer, & Doctor of Functional Human Brain Research
- James Heddon - Inventor of the artificial fishing lure
- Judith IveyJudith IveyJudith Lee Ivey is an American actress and director.-Personal life:Ivey was born in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Dorothy Lee , a teacher, and Nathan Aldean Ivey, a college instructor and dean. She spent 1965-1968 in Dowagiac, Michigan, where she attended Union High School through tenth grade...
- Tony Award Winning Actress - Webb Miller (journalist)Webb Miller (journalist)Webb Miller was an American journalist and war correspondent. He covered the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, the Spanish Civil War , the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Phoney War, and the Russo-Finnish War of 1939...
- Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist and author - Chris TaylorChris Taylor (wrestler)Chris Taylor was an American freestyle wrestler who competed at 1972 Munich Olympics. At 412 pounds he was the heaviest Olympian ever until the appearance of judoka Ricardo Blas, Jr. in 2008...
- Olympic Medalist - Kenneth PorterKenneth Porter (aviator)Lieutenant Kenneth Lee Porter was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-World War I service:Porter was an engineering graduate from Michigan University who joined the U.S. Army Air Service in August 1917. He reported to the 147th Aero Squadron in February 1918...
- World War I pilot/Ace. Credited with 5 enemy aircraft destroyed - Emery ValentineEmery ValentineEmery Valentine was an Alaskan politician and the sixth mayor of Juneau, Alaska, from 1908 to 1912 and from 1917 to 1919. He was also a miner, goldsmith, jeweller, assayer, gunsmith, watchmaker, architect, firefighter, and businessman.-Early life:Valentine was born in Dowagiac, Michigan...
- Alaskan statesman and businessman
External links
- City of Dowagiac
- Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union
- Dowagiac Daily News (newspaper)
- Dowagiac District Library
- Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival
- Dowagiac Union Schools
- Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce
- Dowagiac Informer News
- Sister Lakes Michigan Website
- Sister Lakes Business Association
- Southwestern Michigan College