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Living in Mattawan, Michigan
History of Mattawan
an Buren County was formed by an act of the Legislative Council of Michigan and approved on October 29, 1829, by General Lewis Cass, Territorial Governor. The county was named after Martin Van Buren of New York who was then serving as President Jackson's Secretary of State. At that time the county was divided into seven townships, in 1854 it was reorganized into the townships as they are now known.
The first people in the region, more than 400 years ago, were the Mound Builders. Their name derives from the earthworks of various sizes that they constructed. They were a highly skilled people who produced the copper cookware, arrowheads and stone implements occasionally found in this region today. Many believe that the civilization migrated to Mexico.
The Potawatomi Indians dominated the area for many years. They had migrated to southwest Michigan from southern Wisconsin around 1740. They did not believe in land ownership but protected the land on which they camped. Their shelters were wigwams constructed of bent saplings, bark and grass matting. Chief Pokagon, their spokesperson, was a well-educated, highly articulate man. His writings are well recorded in Michigan history. Although he and his followers were exempted from the Chicago treaty of 1821 and the later treaties of 1828 and 1833, a majority of the Potawatomi Indians left Van Buren County prior to statehood in 1836.
The Village Of Mattawan traces its beginnings to a federal land grant given to Nathaniel Cheesboro, an attorney for the Michigan Central Railroad, in 1839. With the completion of the railroad, Mr.Cheesboro named the station "Mattawan" after a town on the Hudson River in New York. Lyman Lawrence filed the first town plat in 1850 and called it Mattawan, after the name given the railroad station which is an Indian word meaning "Good Pelts."
There would have been no Mattawan, Lawton or Decatur in Van Buren County if the railroad had followed the state surveyed route.
In 1839 the President set aside several thousand acres of land in his namesake county of Van Buren to pioneer settlers. Several families bought acreage and right-of-way land was purchased for the railroad. These families received mail at the Antwerp post office and sent their children to the Fitch School, both located on Red Arrow Highway. Church services were held by " Circuit Riders " in private homes.
Between 1840 and 1850 a school was established, a grocery store was built, and the first track of the New York Central Railroad was laid. The Michigan Central Railroad, in the course of construction, built a depot and railway shops. The depot housed a telegraph system and trained operators. Several hotels were constructed and a post office was established. From 1850 to 1880 the town prospered as a shipping point for northern lumber until the completion of the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad diverted the shipments.
In 1869-1970, Mattawan's so-called "peak years", there consisted a grain elevator, dealer in farm produce, two doctors, stockyards, four well-stocked general stores, grocery and clothing. Six passenger trains also served the town.
Fruit growing prospered in the area, especially grapevines brought from New York State in the late 1860's. By the 1880's Mattawan was shipping carloads of peaches and grapes to all parts of the Midwestern United States. The first juice plant, a logical extension of fruit farming, was built around 1900. The period between 1865 and 1980 was a golden age of agriculture for the area. The soils were fertile and labor was abundant. However, the early part of the 1890's saw severe droughts; later, a series of insects and diseases descended on crops. Prices fell to very low levels. Gradually, as better agricultural methods were found and mechanization increased, fruit farming prospered.
Mattawan is the oldest consolidated school district in Michigan. The first brick public school was constructed in 1890 but was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1905, while the former Junior High Building (now the Center Building) was built largely with W.P.A. funds in 1936. Since that time a new grade school, middle school and high school have been completed. A library was built in 1917 under the sponsorship of the Sunshine Club.
Several churches have served the community since its inception. A Methodist Church was built in 1865 and a Congregational Church incorporated in 1867. The first Catholic Mass was celebrated in 1963.
Many residents served at home and abroad during World War I and II. The Victor and Kenneth Hall VFW Post honors Victor Hall, a World War I Veteran, and his son Kenneth, who gave his life for his country during World War II. Other Mattawan residents served in Korea and Vietnam. A monument on Main Street honors them.
On January 18, 1960, Mattawan was incorporated as a Village and a five-member Charter Commission was elected. The Charter was approved on November 28,1960 with Horace Stone serving as the President. The first Planning Commission and first Board of Tax Review were appointed in 1961. Since 1960, the population of Mattawan has increased from 776 inhabitants to 2,461 as estimated by the Census Bureau in 1990
Mattawan High School
Mattawan High School is the name of the high school that serves the village of Mattawan, Michigan. The approximate total enrollment for Mattawan High School is 1,200+ students.
Mattawan High School has a four member counseling and support team, a six member administration staff, a sixty member teaching staff, and thirty member support staff.
History
There was a school in Mattawan as early as 1840, the oldest school district in Michigan. The first brick public school was constructed in 1890 but was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1905, while the former Junior High Building (now the Center Building) was built largely with W.P.A. funds in 1936. Since that time a new grade school, middle school and high school have been completed. [1]
Music
Mattawan High School offers several instrumental and vocal music classes, both for credit and not for credit. The Marching Band competes in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) and participates in the associated festivals annually. Since the 1980's, the Marching Band has participated quadranually in the Magic Kingdom parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. During the Concert Band season, students are placed into either the Concert or Symphonic Bands, divided by students' grade level. Freshmen and Sophomores are assigned to concert band, while Juniors and Senior are assigned to Symphonic band. Both concert bands put on three concerts annually, and attend the MSBOA festival. In 2007, the bands did not attend the MSBOA festival due to the death of a student; all other years, the bands have earned a Division I rating, the highest possible. Not for credit activities include a basketball pep-band.
Both the marching band and concert bands are instructed by Richard Anderson and Mark Greer. Former instructors include Jennifer Olfier (Nofs) and the late Bannister Merwin.
The vocal music department is instructed by David Hook. Each year, the department puts on a Drama in the fall, and a Musical in the spring, as well as several other smaller performances, often for fund-raising. The vocal music department also manages the high school's two talent shows.
Acceptance
Mattawan Consolidated School accepts students residing within the Mattawan School District, as well as non-district students residing within the boundaries of the Van Buren Intermediate School District (Bangor Township, Bloomingdale, Covert, Decatur, Gobles, Hartford, Lawrence, Lawton, Paw Paw and South Haven school districts) under the Section 105 "Schools of Choice" Program.
Academics
Grading Scale
Mattawan High School follows the standard 4.0 grading scale, in which where an "A" grade is equivalent to a 4.0. The school also offers honors points which add extra points to the student's cumulative GPA, earned from Honors and AP classes. Each student's grades are reported at the end of each semester. The individual grades for each class are averaged to form semester grades; both semester grades are again averaged to form the student's final GPA for the year.
Class Ranking System
The student class rank is computed on semester grades for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. The top ten percent of graduates are announced at the end of the seventh semester. Mattawan High School recognizes three levels of honors in its graduates: Summa Cum Laude for graduates with a 4.10 GPA and above, Magna Cum Laude for graduates with a 3.80 to 4.09 GPA and Cum Laude for graduates with a 3.5 to 3.79 GPA. All courses are considered when determining rank and grade-point average.
Of the 2005 graduates, 79% planned to enroll in post-secondary schools. Approximately 67% attend four-year institutions; the remainder begin their post-high-school education at the community college level.
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Hospitals/medical centers near Mattawan:
- LAKEVIEW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 8 miles; PAW PAW, MI)
- KALAMOZOO REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSP (about 13 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI)
- BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL (about 16 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI)
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Mattawan:
- KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK INTERNATIONAL (about 17 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; ID: AZO)
- ELKHART MUNI (about 38 miles; ELKHART, IN; ID: EKM)
- W K KELLOGG (about 38 miles; BATTLE CREEK, MI; ID: BTL)
Other public-use airports nearest to Mattawan:
- ALMENA (about 5 miles; PAW PAW, MI; ID: 2C5)
- NEWMAN'S (about 6 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; ID: 4N0)
- PRAIRIE RONDE (about 10 miles; SCHOOLCRAFT, MI; ID: P97)
Amtrak station near Mattawan:
- 16 miles: KALAMAZOO (459 N. BURDICK ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, intercity bus service.
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Mattawan:
- KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 8 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,017)
- WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 13 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; FT enrollment: 23,132)
- KELLOGG COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 42 miles; BATTLE CREEK, MI; FT enrollment: 2,824)
- HOPE COLLEGE (about 44 miles; HOLLAND, MI; FT enrollment: 2,918)
- AQUINAS COLLEGE (about 52 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; FT enrollment: 2,022)
- CALVIN COLLEGE (about 52 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; FT enrollment: 4,148)
- GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 53 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; FT enrollment: 7,590)
Public high school in Mattawan:
- MATTAWAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,111; Location: 56720 MURRAY STREET; Grades: 09 - 12)
Private high school in Mattawan:
- FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 43; Location: 56070 MURRAY ST; Grades: PK - 12)
Public elementary/middle schools in Mattawan:
- MATTAWAN MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 864; Location: 56720 MURRAY STREET; Grades: 06 - 08)
- MATTAWAN LATER ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 785; Location: 56720 MURRAY STREET; Grades: 03 - 05)
- MATTAWAN EARLY ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 752; Location: 56720 MURRAY STREET; Grades: KG - 02)
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Banks with branches in Mattawan (2007 data):
- Kalamazoo County State Bank: Mattawan Branch at 305 North Main Street, branch established on 1972-04-17. Info updated 2006-11-03: Bank assets: $73.5 mil, Deposits: $59.0 mil, headquarters in Schoolcraft, MI, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 3 total offices
Strongest AM radio stations in Mattawan:
- WKLZ (1470 AM; 10 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WQSN (1660 AM; 10 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WKZO (590 AM; 5 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WNWN (1560 AM; daytime; 4 kW; PORTAGE, MI; Owner: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC)
- WKMI (1360 AM; 5 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI)
- WOOD (1300 AM; 20 kW; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WOWO (1190 AM; 50 kW; FORT WAYNE, IN; Owner: PATHFINDER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
- WPNW (1260 AM; 10 kW; ZEELAND, MI; Owner: LANSER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
- WKPR (1420 AM; 1 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI)
- WAKV (980 AM; 1 kW; OTSEGO, MI; Owner: VINTAGE RADIO ENTERPRISES, L.L.C.)
- WMSH-FM (99 AM; 1 kW; STURGIS, MI; Owner: LAKE CITIES BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
- WHLY (1580 AM; 10 kW; SOUTH BEND, IN; Owner: TIMES COMMUNICATIONS INC.)
- WOAP (1080 AM; 50 kW; OWOSSO, MI)
Strongest FM radio stations in Mattawan:
- W247AM (97.3 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: CSN INTERNATIONAL)
- WAYK (88.3 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY)
- WFAT (96.5 FM; PORTAGE, MI; Owner: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC)
- W258AH (99.5 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
- WZUU (92.3 FM; ALLEGAN, MI; Owner: FORUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
- WMUK (102.1 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY)
- WQLR (106.5 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WBCT (93.7 FM; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WIDR (89.1 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY)
- WQXC-FM (100.9 FM; OTSEGO, MI; Owner: FORUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
- WVGR (104.1 FM; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN)
- W262AF (100.3 FM; PARCHMENT, MI; Owner: FRIENDS OF CHRISTIAN RADIO, INC.)
- WLKM-FM (95.9 FM; THREE RIVERS, MI; Owner: IMPACT RADIO, LLC)
- WOFR (89.5 FM; SCHOOLCRAFT, MI; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)
- WDOW-FM (92.1 FM; DOWAGIAC, MI; Owner: JASON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
- WKDS (89.9 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: BD OF EDUC SCHOOL DISTR OF CITY)
TV broadcast stations around Mattawan:
- WGVK (Channel 52; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY)
- WWMT (Channel 3; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FREEDOM BROADCASTING OF MICHIGAN, INC.)
- WLLA (Channel 64; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: CHRISTIAN FAITH BROADCAST, INC.)
- WOTV (Channel 41; BATTLE CREEK, MI; Owner: WOOD LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)
- WXMI (Channel 17; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: TRIBUNE TELEVISION HOLDINGS, INC.)
- WOOD-TV (Channel 8; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: WOOD LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)
- WRDY-LP (Channel 69; SOUTH BEND, IN; Owner: WEIGEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WOKZ-CA (Channel 50; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: WOOD LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)
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