a post-office will probably soon be established at
the point heretofore known as Caywoods, five
miles northwest of Greenville. It will be named
Gowen a distinction bestowed upon Col. Gowen
of the firm Fuller & Gowen who own the water
power at this point. The railroad station at that
point will also be called Gowen.
In 1871 the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan
Railroad was completed through the township of
Montcalm and James Gowen having purchased
the mill-property from the Flat River Boom
Company, plotted the village which bears his
name. The first train that passed over after its
completion brought brick for the large hotel of this
village. It was the first brick hotel in the county
and with its furniture cost fifteen thousand dollars.
The village now has three general stores and a
drug store, a gristmill, saw-mill, planning-mill, and
two shingle-mills. The saw-mill has a capacity of
lath, and fifty thousand shingles. The power is
ten feet head, two sixty six-inch Lapel's
turbine-wheels, and is one of the best and
most substantial powers in Central Michigan.
The reservoir covers over six hundred acres.
[From History of Ionia & Montcalm Counties.]
The photograph at the top of this page was
taken around 1872-73. It is a north view
towards the village of Gowen. The mixed train
with engine No.3 is standing on the bridge over
the Flat River. Note the brick hotel in the top
center. Pine street runs in front. The dam is to
the left of the railroad bridge. There are many
logs lying about and lumber of all sizes. Gowen
was certainly a lumber town back then. This
photo was from a folded post card.
delayed a few days at Gowen by the building of a bridge across the Flat River at that point. The bridge will
probably be ready for the track today or tomorrow when track laying will be resumed.
The photograph above is the Howe truss at Gowen shortly after completion. There is still no ballast under the
approach to the bridge. The work train appears to have some ties still loaded towards the rear of the train.
Photo, Gordon Lydeksen collection.
Photo, Gordon Lydeksen collection.
of Montcalm county at the Clarke Library
printed on cloth.
Michigan Railroad passed on the right side of this photo.
 |