Three Oaks, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Three Oaks is a village in Berrien County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 1,829 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Three Oaks Township
.
and New Buffalo
. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all land.
Three Oaks is located along US 12
.
of 2000, there were 1,829 people, 741 households, and 486 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,861.4 per square mile (720.6/km²). There were 800 housing units at an average density of 814.2 per square mile (315.2/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.34% White, 0.93% African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.66% from other races
, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.86% of the population.
There were 741 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the village the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $34,120, and the median income for a family was $41,146. Males had a median income of $31,923 versus $20,875 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $16,361. About 8.5% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
. Three Oaks Poet Laureates are asked to write a Flag Day Poem and a winter poem. Readings occur throughout the year at various locations.
, just 5 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan
and within 2 miles of the Indiana
border. The village was first settled by Henry Chamberlain in 1850 and became a village in 1867. The village was originally called Chamberlain's Siding but was changed to Three Oaks. These oak trees were a guidepoint for train engineers. None of the original three oak trees remain today; the last was cut down nearly 100 years ago.
Three Oaks' hometown pride is evident during its Flag Day
Celebration in June. The celebration and Flag Day Parade is the largest in the country.
Three Oaks celebrated the centennial of receiving the Dewey Cannon at the village's Flag Day
Festival (June 9–11, 2000). A historical marker at Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks relates: "This cannon, captured in the Spanish-American War
by Admiral Dewey, was presented to Three Oaks when its citizens raised fourteen hundred dollars for a memorial to the men of the battleship Maine
. This was the largest contribution, per capita, of any community in the nation. 'Three Oaks Against the World', a local paper proudly boasted. This park was dedicated October 17, 1899, by President William McKinley
, and others. Presentation of the cannon took place on June 28, 1900. Guest of honor was Helen Miller Gould, called the Spanish-American War's 'Florence Nightingale
'. Thousands of people were in attendance on each occasion."
The Christmas movie Prancer
, released in 1989, was filmed on location largely in the village of Three Oaks (other locations in nearby LaPorte, Indiana
, were also used). A sequel, Prancer Returns, was made in 2001 (filming location Uxbridge, Ontario
), in which a boy comes to Three Oaks to learn about the "Prancer incident".
Three Oaks is also home to the Warren Featherbone Factory, which was built over a century ago to strip turkey feathers of their quills to use in women's garments of the era, such as corset
s, which used "stiffeners". This replacement for the "whalebone" material was welcomed by the garment industry of the late 19th century. The factory still stands today and is the site of an antique market.
The town faced bankruptcy in the fall of 2008 due to fiscal mismanagement and the State of Michigan took over financial management of the village. One year later, the town regained local control of its finances.
The state of Michigan appointed Emergency Financial Manager Pam Amato in December 2008 to take over village operations and guide the newly elected Council through development of a five-year deficit elimination plan. The state approved that plan in August. Amato's term was completed in 2009. In February 2010, the Village of Three Oaks hired Patrick Yoder to serve as the first Village Manager.
Berrien County, Michigan
Berrien County is a county located in the extreme southwest of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 156,813. The county seat is St. Joseph....
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 1,829 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Three Oaks Township
Three Oaks Township, Michigan
Three Oaks Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the border with the state of Indiana. The population was 2,949 at the 2000 census.The Village of Three Oaks is the only incorporated community within the township....
.
Geography
Three Oaks is located in the southwest corner of Michigan, between NilesNiles, Michigan
Niles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
and New Buffalo
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all land.
Three Oaks is located along US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Michigan
US Highway 12 is a US Highway that runs from Aberdeen, Washington to Detroit, Michigan. In the US state of Michigan it runs for . Previous to the creation of Interstate Highways in Michigan, US 12 ran along Michigan Avenue between Kalamazoo and Detroit, a highway corridor now served by I-94...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,829 people, 741 households, and 486 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,861.4 per square mile (720.6/km²). There were 800 housing units at an average density of 814.2 per square mile (315.2/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.34% White, 0.93% African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.66% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.86% of the population.
There were 741 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the village the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $34,120, and the median income for a family was $41,146. Males had a median income of $31,923 versus $20,875 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $16,361. About 8.5% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
- River Valley High SchoolRiver Valley High School (Three Oaks, Michigan)River Valley High School is the high school for the River Valley School District located in Three Oaks, Michigan....
- Three Oaks Elementary
Culture
Three Oaks is one of the few villages in the country with the official position of Village Poet Laureate. Amy Mitchell held the first honor in 2003, gracing special events in Three Oaks with her original poetry. Richard Tuttle served as Poet Laureate in 2007 and the reigning poet laureate for both 2008 and 2009 is Elise PaschenElise Paschen
Elise Paschen, a poet of Osage descent, is the co-founder and co-editor of Poetry in Motion, a program which places poetry posters in subways and buses across the country. The daughter of renowned prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief, and Chicago builder Henry D. Paschen, she was born and raised in...
. Three Oaks Poet Laureates are asked to write a Flag Day Poem and a winter poem. Readings occur throughout the year at various locations.
- Acorn Theater in Three Oaks hosts live performances of both new performers and those that are more nationally known.
- Vickers Theatre was recently restored and now shows independent films.
- Music In the Park is a free concert series held at 7 pm every Saturday during the summer (with the exception of Flag Day when it's held at 6:30pm) in Dewey Cannon Park, downtown Three Oaks.
- Radio Harbor Country is a low-power FM community radio station (WRHC-LP, 106.7FM) located in Three Oaks that broadcasts a wide variety of local programming and a blend of music of various genres.
History
The village of Three Oaks is located in the southwest corner of MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, just 5 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
and within 2 miles of the Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
border. The village was first settled by Henry Chamberlain in 1850 and became a village in 1867. The village was originally called Chamberlain's Siding but was changed to Three Oaks. These oak trees were a guidepoint for train engineers. None of the original three oak trees remain today; the last was cut down nearly 100 years ago.
Three Oaks' hometown pride is evident during its Flag Day
Flag Day
A flag day is a flag-related holiday—either a day designated for flying a certain flag , or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag....
Celebration in June. The celebration and Flag Day Parade is the largest in the country.
Three Oaks celebrated the centennial of receiving the Dewey Cannon at the village's Flag Day
Flag Day
A flag day is a flag-related holiday—either a day designated for flying a certain flag , or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag....
Festival (June 9–11, 2000). A historical marker at Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks relates: "This cannon, captured in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
by Admiral Dewey, was presented to Three Oaks when its citizens raised fourteen hundred dollars for a memorial to the men of the battleship Maine
USS Maine (ACR-1)
USS Maine was the United States Navy's second commissioned pre-dreadnought battleship, although she was originally classified as an armored cruiser. She is best known for her catastrophic loss in Havana harbor. Maine had been sent to Havana, Cuba to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban revolt...
. This was the largest contribution, per capita, of any community in the nation. 'Three Oaks Against the World', a local paper proudly boasted. This park was dedicated October 17, 1899, by President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
, and others. Presentation of the cannon took place on June 28, 1900. Guest of honor was Helen Miller Gould, called the Spanish-American War's 'Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...
'. Thousands of people were in attendance on each occasion."
The Christmas movie Prancer
Prancer (film)
Prancer is a 1989 family film starring Sam Elliott and Cloris Leachman. It was directed by John D. Hancock. It is set in Three Oaks, Michigan, where town exteriors were filmed...
, released in 1989, was filmed on location largely in the village of Three Oaks (other locations in nearby LaPorte, Indiana
LaPorte, Indiana
La Porte is a city in La Porte County, Indiana, United States, of which it is the county seat. Its population was 22,053 at the 2010 census. It is one of the two principal cities of the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the...
, were also used). A sequel, Prancer Returns, was made in 2001 (filming location Uxbridge, Ontario
Uxbridge, Ontario
Uxbridge is a township in south-central Ontario, Canada, in the Regional Municipality of Durham, in the Greater Toronto Area.The main centre in the township is the namesake community of Uxbridge...
), in which a boy comes to Three Oaks to learn about the "Prancer incident".
Three Oaks is also home to the Warren Featherbone Factory, which was built over a century ago to strip turkey feathers of their quills to use in women's garments of the era, such as corset
Corset
A corset is a garment worn to hold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or medical purposes...
s, which used "stiffeners". This replacement for the "whalebone" material was welcomed by the garment industry of the late 19th century. The factory still stands today and is the site of an antique market.
The town faced bankruptcy in the fall of 2008 due to fiscal mismanagement and the State of Michigan took over financial management of the village. One year later, the town regained local control of its finances.
The state of Michigan appointed Emergency Financial Manager Pam Amato in December 2008 to take over village operations and guide the newly elected Council through development of a five-year deficit elimination plan. The state approved that plan in August. Amato's term was completed in 2009. In February 2010, the Village of Three Oaks hired Patrick Yoder to serve as the first Village Manager.
Events
- Apple Cider CenturyApple Cider CenturyApple Cider Century is a bicycle ride of 15, 25, 37, 50, 62, 75 or 100 miles around Three Oaks, Michigan, in the USA. It was started by the Three Oaks Spokes Bicycle Club in 1974. More than 5,000 riders take part annually. It is held on the last Sunday of every September....
is an annual one-day, 25, 50, 62, 75 or 100 mile bicycle tour of the orchards, forests and wine country in and around Three Oaks, Michigan. Sponsored by the Three Oaks Spokes Bicycle Club and usually held on the last day of September since 1974, it has become the Midwest's largest one-day bicycle century rideCentury rideA century ride is a bicycle ride of 100 miles or more within 12 hours, usually as a cycling club-sponsored event. Many cycling clubs sponsor an annual century ride as both a social event for cyclists and as a fund-raiser for the club’s other activities...
.
External links
- Village of Three Oaks
- Village of Three Oaks, Berrien CountyBerrien County, MichiganBerrien County is a county located in the extreme southwest of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 156,813. The county seat is St. Joseph....
Community Development Department, August 2008. Includes history. - Apple Cider Century
- Three Oaks Business Association
- Harbor Country - Three Oaks Info
- River Valley High School - Three Oaks, MI
- Three Oaks Elementary
- Driers Meat Market
- Radio Harbor Country 106.7FM
- Acorn Theater
- Vickers Theatre
- Music In the Park