Winn, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winn, Michigan
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Looking east along W. Blanchard Road
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Location within Isabella County
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 Winn, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Winn, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Isabella |
| Township | Fremont |
| Settled | 1867 |
| Platted | 1876 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.57 sq mi (1.48 km2) |
| • Land | 0.57 sq mi (1.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 869 ft (265 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 166 |
| • Density | 289.7/sq mi (111.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 989 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1616636, 2806338 |
Winn is a small community in Isabella County, Michigan, in the United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's also a "census-designated place" (CDP), meaning the U.S. Census Bureau counts it as a specific area for population statistics.
In 2020, about 166 people lived in Winn. The community is part of Fremont Township. Even without its own government, Winn has its own post office with the ZIP Code 48896.
Contents
History of Winn
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The area around Winn was first settled in the 1860s. In 1863, Fremont Township was officially formed. As more people moved in, there was a need for a post office.
A person named Mr. Winn settled here and opened the first post office on December 19, 1867. Franklin Williams became the first postmaster and agreed to name the new community "Winn."
Early Growth and Changes
In 1875, William Dush from Ohio moved to the area. He wanted to use the local lumber (wood) resources. He officially planned out the community of Winn, and it was registered with the state on October 26, 1876.
On early maps from 1879, the community was sometimes called "Dushville" and sometimes "Winn." William Dush was a businessman who built a sawmill powered by steam. The area around Winn also became known for its farms.
The community grew, and the post office name was changed to Dushville on January 26, 1882. William Dush himself became the postmaster. Around this time, the lumber business started to slow down. About 200 people lived in Dushville.
The community began to change from focusing on lumber to having different businesses. It had general stores, a blacksmith shop, a place for travelers to stay, a church, and a Good Templars lodge (a social group). By 1885, about 250 people lived there.
Later, several fires damaged the community. They destroyed Dush's store and his sawmill. He rebuilt the sawmill but then moved away. He died in a sawmill explosion in 1888.
Renaming and Later Years
For a while, people called the community both Winn and Dushville. After Dush passed away, the community asked for the post office name to be changed back to Winn. This officially happened on January 14, 1898.
In 1910, Winn had its largest population ever, with 310 residents. It also had many businesses and farms around it. In 1946, the Morey Brothers moved to Winn and brought the lumber industry back to the area. By 1951, their mill was very successful. It was known as the biggest sawmill in Central Michigan for how much wood it produced. Their lumber was used for floors and furniture and was sent all over the country.
Recent Times
In 1976, Winn celebrated 100 years since it was officially planned. Many important people, like Governor William Milliken and Senator Robert P. Griffin, congratulated the community on its long history.
For the 2020 census, Winn was officially listed as a new census-designated place. It continues to be an unincorporated community, meaning it doesn't have its own local government.
Geography of Winn
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Winn is located in the middle of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It is in a rural part of Isabella County. The community is about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the city of Mount Pleasant.
Winn sits at an elevation of 869 feet (265 meters) above sea level. The main roads in Winn are Winn Road and Blanchard Road. There are no big highways directly in Winn. U.S. Route 127 is about 11 miles (18 km) to the east.
Other nearby communities include Shepherd to the east and Edmore to the southwest. Cedar Creek, a small river that flows into the Chippewa River, runs through the northern part of Winn.
Local Services
The Winn post office mainly handles post office box services. It is located at 2855 West Blanchard Road. Most of the community uses the Mount Pleasant 48858 ZIP Code for mail delivery.
The Fremont Township Fire Department is in Winn, at 8375 South Winn Road. The Winn Community Center is also here, which houses the Fremont Township offices. The Chippewa River District Library has a branch in Winn called the Fremont Township Community Library. It opened in 1981 and moved to its current spot at 7959 South Winn Road in 2017.
Population Data
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 166 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Education in Winn
Winn got its first school in 1881 when the county's school areas were reorganized. District 7 became the largest school district in Fremont Township. A two-story schoolhouse was built for the community.
Students from nearby areas came to Winn for higher education. Most schools back then only taught up to eighth grade. District 7 eventually taught students up to the eleventh grade by 1925. However, the school became too small for the growing population. Since there wasn't enough money or agreement to build a new school, the district closed. It then joined with the Shepherd Public School System.
Today, Winn is still served by the Shepherd Public School District. This district is located to the east in the village of Shepherd. Winn Elementary School is located right within the community. Some areas around Winn might be served by Montabella Community Schools or Mt. Pleasant City School District.
Notable People
- Henry Wiles, a motorcycle racer, was born in Winn.
