Newaygo, Michigan

Newaygo is a rural city in Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,976 at the 2010 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.90 square miles (10.10 km²), of which 3.74 square miles (9.69 km²) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km²) is water. including the Muskegon River, which runs through the town and is often used for canoe trips, tubing, and fishing. The county is considered part of West Michigan. Newaygo is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Geographic features

The Muskegon River flows through the north side of the town.

Major highways

M-37

M-82

History

Newaygo's recorded history goes back to French Voyageurs and Coureur des bois, that is, explorers and trappers (who may or may not have been licensed), who came up the Muskegon River. It was ostensibly named after Chief Nuwagon, a signatory of the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819. But see, Newaygo County, Michigan. John Brooks came to harvest lumber in 1836, and was the town's first postmaster in 1847. Lumber, proximity to the river and Muskegon made it a center for floating logs during the lumber boom. Other historical features of Newaygo include Al Capone (and many other famous mobsters) gambling in the basements of Newaygo's central hotel and in a Hess Lake Inn. More recently, Newaygo has been the home of the state champion marching band of 2010 and 2012.