Watervliet Township, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Watervliet Charter Township is a charter township
of Berrien County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 3,392 at the 2000 census
.
The township originally included the area of Coloma Charter Township
, which was separated in 1917. The City of Watervliet
is the only incorporated municipality in the township. The Paw Paw River
and Paw Paw Lake
are prominent features of the township.
The Watervliet area is host to many "summer homes", which has contributed considerably to the local economy as well as increased development.
Interstate 94
crosses east-west through the south of the township with two interchanges and M-140
runs north-south through the area which has also contributed greatly to the local economy.
and Watervliet.
As timber was cleared, and the early village of Waterford (later called Watervliet) was established, farming of the newly cleared land became a lucrative business in Watervliet Township. Hard working, resourceful men turned harvested land into thriving farms. Harvey Sherwood came to the Township in 1870 and became known as the “Apple King of Michigan”, with one of the largest orchards in
the State. His farm was called Lake View, because of its panoramic view of Sherwood Bay on Paw Paw
Lake.
After his marriage in 1854, Sebastian Smith settled in Watervliet Township. As an entrepreneur,
he encountered and overcame many difficulties, due to his insistent efforts. By 1878 he had established
himself as one of the first major international businessmen in the area when he succeeded in shipping
carloads of apples to London, England.
Over the years, Watervliet Township maintained its rural atmosphere, yet wisely encouraged
businesses to locate within its borders.
, the township has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²), of which, 13.6 square miles (35.2 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (5.61%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,392 people, 1,348 households, and 939 families residing in the township. The population density
was 248.7 per square mile (96.0/km²). There were 1,724 housing units at an average density of 126.4 per square mile (48.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.66% White, 1.71% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 2.27% from other races
, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.
There were 1,348 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $39,152, and the median income for a family was $45,709. Males had a median income of $35,842 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $22,134. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.
Charter township
A charter township is a form of local government in the U.S. state of Michigan. Townships in Michigan are organized governments. A charter township is a township that has been granted a charter, which allows it certain rights and responsibilities of home rule that are generally intermediary in...
of Berrien County
Berrien County, Michigan
Berrien County is a county located in the extreme southwest of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 156,813. The county seat is St. Joseph....
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 3,392 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
The township originally included the area of Coloma Charter Township
Coloma Charter Township, Michigan
Coloma Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,217 at the 2000 census. The city of Coloma lies within the township.The township is located in the north central portion of the county...
, which was separated in 1917. The City of Watervliet
Watervliet, Michigan
Watervliet is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Watervliet is also in the Charter Township of Watervliet. The population was 1,843 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
is the only incorporated municipality in the township. The Paw Paw River
Paw Paw River
The Paw Paw River is located in the U.S. state of Michigan in the southwest portion of the lower peninsula. It is formed by the confluence of the north and south branches at in Waverly Township in the northeast of Van Buren County. It flows approximately through Van Buren County and Berrien...
and Paw Paw Lake
Paw Paw Lake
Paw Paw Lake is a lake in Coloma Township and Watervliet Township in Berrien County, Michigan.-History:Paw Paw Lake was the site of a tourist area in the early 20th Century. An 1894 Chicago newspaper article was the catalyst in making the shore a resort area, and a rail line extension from nearby...
are prominent features of the township.
The Watervliet area is host to many "summer homes", which has contributed considerably to the local economy as well as increased development.
Interstate 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...
crosses east-west through the south of the township with two interchanges and 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...
runs north-south through the area which has also contributed greatly to the local economy.
Officials
| Office | Official |
|---|---|
| Supervisor | Dan Hutchins |
| Clerk | Patricia (Patt) Bambrick |
| Treasurer | Tom Scheid |
| Trustee | Vick Kinzler |
| Trustee | Joe Stepich |
| Trustee | Bob Wallace |
| Trustee | Joe Matthews |
| Deputy Clerk | Marcia VanDrasek |
| Deputy Treasurer | Linda Willer |
| Building Inspector | Thomas Baldwin |
| Mechanical Inspector | Rod Wilder |
| Electrical Inspector | Ken Simpson |
| Plumbing Inspector | Phyllis Centers |
| Director of Public Works | Robert Lohr |
| Zoning Administrator | Robert Lohr |
| Assessor | Patricia Armstrong |
| Attorney | Donald D. Dettman |
History
Watervliet Township began as a much larger block of land that included the areas now known as Watervliet Township and Coloma Township. It was a perfect location for industry, with its rolling land of timber and the flowing waters of the Paw Paw River emptying into Lake Michigan at the harbor of St. Joseph. Prior to the formation of Coloma Township in 1917, prosperous sawmills encouraged the formation of the early village of Shingle Diggings, which was followed by the birth of the cities of Colomaand Watervliet.
As timber was cleared, and the early village of Waterford (later called Watervliet) was established, farming of the newly cleared land became a lucrative business in Watervliet Township. Hard working, resourceful men turned harvested land into thriving farms. Harvey Sherwood came to the Township in 1870 and became known as the “Apple King of Michigan”, with one of the largest orchards in
the State. His farm was called Lake View, because of its panoramic view of Sherwood Bay on Paw Paw
Lake.
After his marriage in 1854, Sebastian Smith settled in Watervliet Township. As an entrepreneur,
he encountered and overcame many difficulties, due to his insistent efforts. By 1878 he had established
himself as one of the first major international businessmen in the area when he succeeded in shipping
carloads of apples to London, England.
Over the years, Watervliet Township maintained its rural atmosphere, yet wisely encouraged
businesses to locate within its borders.
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 township has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²), of which, 13.6 square miles (35.2 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (5.61%) is water.
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 3,392 people, 1,348 households, and 939 families residing in the township. 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 248.7 per square mile (96.0/km²). There were 1,724 housing units at an average density of 126.4 per square mile (48.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.66% White, 1.71% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 2.27% 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 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.
There were 1,348 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% 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, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $39,152, and the median income for a family was $45,709. Males had a median income of $35,842 versus $22,500 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 township was $22,134. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.