DeWitt is a peaceful, historic community located north of Lansing, along the Looking Glass River. Residents of DeWitt enjoy easy access to all that the city of Lansing and Michigan State University has to offer, while at the same time living in a small community with a big heart. With highly-rated schools, beautiful parks, and a commitment to a high quality of life, DeWitt is a charming small city with many advantages.
Before settlement by European pioneers, the area that would become DeWitt was known as Wabwahaseesee, home to a community of Native Americans mainly from the Chippewa tribe. The area was covered in dense forests, intersected with waterways, and later referred to by the white settlers as “Indian Green.” In the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819, the United States government negotiated with prominent Native American chiefs, resulting in the U.S. government taking possession of most of the land in lower Michigan.
In the 1830s, early pioneers began to move from New England and other parts of Michigan into the land that would eventually become DeWitt. There, they found a frontier rich with game and fish. Captain David Scott and his family, from Ann Arbor, first investigated the area in 1833 and settled there, amidst a wilderness complete with the hardships and challenges of pioneer life.
DeWitt is named after prominent New York governor DeWitt Clinton, who served from 1817 to 1822, and again from 1825 until he died in 1828. Because mid-Michigan had quite a few settlers from New York state by the 1830s, the pioneers of that time decided to name the surrounding county Clinton. Since DeWitt was the county seat at that time, the community was given the governor’s first name.
An early timeline, up to the early 2000s, traces some of the major developments of DeWitt that forged the thriving city it has become today.
1830s
In 1833, Captain David Scott and his family first settled in what would become the community of DeWitt. Relocating from Ann Arbor, they built a home along the Looking Glass River.
In 1836, the State Legislature formally created DeWitt Township on March 23.
In 1839, DeWitt has designated the Clinton county seat.
1840s
In 1842, Captain David Scott built the first hotel in the area, which was used for various public meetings. It was well known throughout the region for many years.
In 1843, the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad Company completed a line of track from Detroit to Pontiac. They expanded the line to extend west through Shiawassee and Clinton Counties with the last stop being located in the Village of St. Johns, but the railway line bypassed DeWitt.
In 1844, the first grist mill was built by Jesse and Milo Turner.
1850s
During the 1850s, the prosperous, bustling DeWitt began to lose prominent residents and businesses as the railway made it more convenient for people to travel from Lansing to St. Johns. What followed was a long period of economic stagnation. Prosperous farms were one of the only things that helped sustain the economy of the area during this time, until the early 1900s, when a new economic boom would begin.
In 1857, the county seat was moved from DeWitt to St. Johns, where it remains today.
In 1858, the well-known Chief Okemos died five miles northeast of DeWitt, by the Looking Glass River. Okemos was a respected Saginaw Chippewa Chief and served his people both in battle and in diplomacy.
1870s
In 1872, the Emmanuel German Methodist Episcopal Church was built to accommodate the growing number of German families emigrating to the area in the late 1800s.
1880s
Woodman Hall was built in the 1880s as a meeting place for the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Neighbors. It is currently Keck’s Appliance store.
1900-1910
In 1901, the grist mill built by Jesse and Milo Turner was destroyed by fire.
In 1902, the Lansing and Suburban Electric Railway began to run through DeWitt on its route between Lansing and St. Johns. This reinvigorated a sleepy economy. Many retired farmers began to relocate to DeWitt, as well as young families, who could use the railway as a way to commute to jobs in Lansing. The population of DeWitt doubled during this time.
1911-1920
Well-to-do farmers continued to retire to DeWitt, building lovely homes and settling in this peaceful community.
1920s
Depending on sources, either in 1927 or 1929, DeWitt was incorporated into a village.
1930s
In 1930, a devastating fire blazed through the downtown business district, destroying eight historic and business buildings, including the well-known Clinton House hotel.
Despite the fire and the Great Depression, DeWitt remained strong. Woodruff Brothers Bank survived and Rosevale Packing Company continued to employ many people.
In 1931, the two-story brick Old Methodist Episcopal Church was built. It would later be placed on the list of Michigan Historic Sites in 1985 and is currently home of the Looking Glass Brewery.
In 1934, the first books were loaned from the DeWitt Library, which at that time was housed at the rear of the post office building.
1940s
In 1948, the present DeWitt Hardware building was constructed. DeWitt Hardware has served the community for over 80 years.
In 1944, the Emmanuel German Methodist Episcopal Church burned down.
In 1944, Oscar G. Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in single-handedly fighting off attacking Nazis in World War II, saving his unit.
1960s
In 1964, the DeWitt Police Department begins providing service.
In 1965, the Village of Dewitt was incorporated into a city. By the late 1960s, the Lake Geneva area was annexed into the city of DeWitt.
In 1968, two armed bandits held up the Woodruff State Bank and escaped with $5,000 to $10,000.
1970s
In the early 1970s, Millbrook Meadows was also annexed into the city.
In 1974, The Clinton County Historical Society was founded.
1980s
In 1981, DeWitt’s Downtown Development Authority was created, to promote economic growth and increase property values.
That same year, the City completed a replacement of the Schavey Road Bridge, a project approved through the Critical Bridge Funding Program.
1990s
In 1997, the Mayoral Memorial Gazebo was erected at Memorial Park. It was established to recognize and honor those who served as DeWitt’s Mayors.
2000-2010
In 2005, DeWitt was ranked at the 75th best place to live in the United States by CNN Money.
In 2008, DeWitt Celebrated 175 Years!
In 2009, the All Kids Playground was constructed in April and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on August 18th.
2011-2020
In 2012, Senator and presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited Downtown DeWitt and made a special stop at the iconic Sweetielicious Pies.
In the 2012 London Summer Olympics, gymnast Jordyn Wieber, a native of the DeWitt area, was part of the gold medal-winning women’s gymnastics team.
DeWitt Today
Throughout its history, DeWitt has remained an appealing place to call home. Many DeWitt residents work in Lansing and East Lansing but have chosen to live in a smaller community that offers a great quality of life. With top-rated schools, scenic parks, and a quaint downtown shopping district, it is no wonder that this small city continues to thrive.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Okemos
dewitttownship.gov/243/Community-History
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWitt,_Michigan
dewitttownship.org/243/Community-History
dewittlibrary.org/booksresearch/dewitthistorycolumns.htm
dewittlibrary.org/booksresearch/dewitthistory/150thDeWittSouvenirBook.pdf