History of Greater Lowell Area

The City of Lowell, with an estimated 1999 population of 4,000 within its City limits, is centrally located in Western Michigan on State Highway M-21. Lowell is 18 miles east of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the state and 50 miles west of Lansing, the State capital. A combination of limited access highways Interstate 96 and I-96 and U.S. 131 connect Lowell City and the greater Grand Rapids area. Kent county International Airport is located ten miles west of the City of Lowell.

Settled by French fur trader, Daniel Marsac in 1831, Lowell is the third oldest settlement in Kent County. With the arrival of the railroad in 1857, Lowell grew rapidly from a population of 214 in 1850 to 3037 in 1880. Ten trains a day traveled through Lowell in 1885 bringing new settlers as well as transporting agricultural and manufactured goods from the area. The Downtown Lowell Historic District represents Lowell's early growth with its two- and three-story Italianate buildings. These structures form an early retail-shopping district that began with Daniel Marsac's trading post.

In 1931, during the depth of the Great depression, Lowell held a weeklong centennial celebration to which hundreds of people came. The next year, in an effort to bring back the crowds, the Lowell Showboat was begun. This annual event used the Flat River and a Mississippi style riverboat as a backdrop for musical and comedy performances.

Today Lowell is seeing resurgence in its retail segment both in the Historic District and on its western boundary. A growing population with an interest in history and a return to more local shopping is having a positive impact.

Throughout our history Lowell businesses of all types have flourished in the Greater Lowell Area. Financial services, car dealerships, retailers and restaurants provide our community with essential service needs. A weekly newspaper, shoppers guide and public access on cable TV provides communications to the community. You will find a wide range of services available by contractors, printers, photographers, mechanics, hairdressers, etc. Professional Services in the community include doctors, dentists, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors, lawyers, veterinarians, tax preparers and CPAs. Lowell is home to several industries that combine to provide excellent job opportunities and a strong economy.

The Lowell Area Schools are considered to be one of the best school districts in West Michigan. It is a progressive district that focuses on achievement, parent and family involvement, and the individual needs of students from birth through graduation. Lowell Area Schools serve one of the largest school districts by area in the State of Michigan. One hundred twenty-six square miles are included within its boundaries. The school district maintains four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one alternative high school. The district just recently expanded the high school to include a freshman center.

If you belong to a club, organization, or church, chances are you will find a chapter or your faith here. Lowell is blessed with an abundance of clubs and churches, but perhaps our biggest fraternity is the community.

The city offers many recreational facilities and cultural opportunities, as well as those provided by the adjacent community of Grand Rapids. The Grand and Flat Rivers, along with abundant lakes, provide excellent fishing, boating and canoeing. Large areas of public land such as the Lowell State Game Area offer quality hunting and hiking. The North Country Trail System passes right through downtown Lowell. City and county parks provide picnic areas, athletic fields, playgrounds, and a swimming beach. Other sources of recreation include bowling alleys, a roller rink, golf courses, tennis courts and a movie theater. Our area offers a groomed snowmobile trail, cross-country skiing and two downhill ski areas located just fifteen minutes away. The City is home to a local branch of the YMCA; our 1.2 million-dollar Englehardt Public Library, a branch of the Kent County Library system; and, most recently, the National Headquarters for the North Country Trails Association.

Lowell offers a variety of annual festivities that attract visitors from all over the state. The Lowell Community Expo is held the fourth Saturday of March at the Lowell High School to showcase area businesses, organizations, churches and municipalities. Our famous Lowell Showboat now hosts Lowell Showboat Sizzlin' Summer Concerts held every Thursday evening beginning in June and running through August. The Annual Riverwalk Festival, Brian Mead memorial cruise-in, and Health & Fitness Fair is held the second weekend in July. The festival features arts and crafts, entertainment, fireworks, parade, children's activities, antique tractors and a duck race. The Harvest Celebration and Scarecrow Hoedown, held the second weekend in October, features scarecrow building, arts & crafts and a chili cook-off.

The Kent County Youth 4-H Fair has been held at the Lowell Fairgrounds for over 50 years. This event draws thousands of visitors and exhibitors each August. In September, 30,000 visitors flock to the Fallasburg Fall Festival hosted by the Lowell Area Arts Council. Juried arts and crafts are displayed and sold while visitors enjoy wonderful food and music. Christmas through Lowell, the third weekend of November, starts the holiday season with open houses and Main Street retailers selling their wares. Lowell Christmas Festivities, the first Saturday in December feature a morning parade, the Flat River Freeze Ice Sculpture Challenge, visits and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and activities at local retail stores. Other events include, bike rides, theatrical performances, dinner theater, bluegrass festivals, Indian Pow Wow and many other functions.