Osseo, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Osseo, Michigan
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Looking south along Bird Lake Road
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 Osseo, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Osseo, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Hillsdale |
| Township | Jefferson |
| Settled | 1840 |
| Elevation | 1,109 ft (338 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49266
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| Area code(s) | 517 |
| GNIS feature ID | 634143 |
Osseo (pronounced ah-SEE-oh) is a small, unincorporated community in Hillsdale County, Michigan. It's located along a road called M-34 within Jefferson Township.
Being an "unincorporated community" means Osseo doesn't have its own official government or exact borders like a city or town. However, it does have its own post office with the 49266 ZIP Code.
Contents
Exploring Osseo's Location
Osseo is found in the southeastern part of Michigan, right in the middle of Hillsdale County. It's about 30 miles (48 km) east of the city of Coldwater.
This community sits about 1,109 feet (338 meters) above sea level. Osseo is centered near M-34, also known as Hudson Road. This road meets M-99 (Pioneer Road) nearby.
Nearby Places and Natural Features
Several other small communities are close to Osseo. These include Steamburg to the west, Shadyside and Fountain Park to the south, and Locust Corners to the east. The city of Hillsdale is about 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest along M-99.
Osseo is surrounded by beautiful lakes, like Deer Lake and Twin Lake. These lakes are connected by the east branch of the St. Joseph River. Just south of the community is the Lost Nations State Game Area, a large natural space covering 2,471 acres (10.00 sq km).
The North Country Trail, a long hiking path, goes right through Osseo. This part of the trail is called the Baw Beese Trail. It stretches 8.6 miles (13.8 km) northwest to Hillsdale.
Community Buildings and Services
The Jefferson Township Hall, where local meetings happen, is located in Osseo at 2837 Bird Lake Road. The Osseo post office is at 5500 Beecher Road. The 49266 ZIP Code for Osseo covers most of Jefferson Township and parts of nearby townships.
Students in Osseo attend schools in the Hillsdale Community Schools district, located in the city of Hillsdale.
Osseo's Past: A Look Back
The area where Osseo is now was first settled around 1840. The name "Osseo" comes from a Native American word meaning "fiery plumes." This name likely refers to the yearly burning of marshes and woods by Native Americans to prepare the land for spring.
The County Seat Story
When Osseo was first formed, settlers from nearby Jonesville had a special plan. They wanted to keep the "county seat" (the main government town for the county) from moving to Hillsdale. Jonesville had been the first county seat, but Hillsdale was growing and wanted the title.
So, in 1840, Osseo was officially named the new county seat. However, Osseo never actually had any government offices or served as the real county seat. It was more of a trick by Jonesville residents to prevent Hillsdale from getting the role. This friendly competition between towns is sometimes called a "county seat war."
Osseo residents even started planning to build government buildings, hoping to keep their status. But it soon became clear that Osseo wouldn't be the permanent county seat. In the end, Osseo residents supported Hillsdale, which officially became the county seat in 1843.
Growth and Development
When Osseo was founded, it was part of Florida Township. A post office named Florida opened there in 1839. The township was later renamed Jefferson in 1849. The community of Osseo can be seen on maps from 1857.
The Florida post office moved and was renamed Osseo on December 14, 1861, and it's been open ever since. In 1864, Osseo got a train station along the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway.
Osseo became important for lumber, with several sawmills using the area's wood. By 1865, about 250 people lived there. By 1879, Osseo was at its busiest, with around 350 residents. It had about 60 homes, two churches, stores, blacksmith shops, factories, a hotel, and a school. Besides lumber, the community also grew thanks to brick and tile factories, which used the local clay soil.
Modern Roads and Trails
In 1919, M-34 became one of Michigan's first state highways, passing through Osseo. This road gave direct access to the city of Adrian, about 30 miles (48 km) to the east. In 1940, M-99 was established just west of Osseo, connecting it to Hillsdale and Jonesville, and even to the state of Ohio to the south.
The train tracks through Osseo were eventually removed. The land where the railway used to be is now a green space. Parts of this old railway path are now used for the Baw Beese Trail, which is part of the North Country Trail.
