Web Design in Lawton, MI

Lawton, Michigan

Lawton is in Van Buren County.

About Lawton, Michigan

Lawton is a village in southeastern Van Buren County, Michigan, with 1,850 residents at the 2020 census. It began in 1848 as a railroad stop called Paw Paw Station and became a center of Southwest Michigan's grape industry after local experiments with grape growing around 1860.

History of Lawton

• When the railroad reached the site in 1848, Nathan Lawton donated several acres of land for the construction of a depot, which was originally named Paw Paw Station.
• The town was named for Mr. Lawton in 1851, when a post office was being established. Nathan Lawton never lived there, but two of his sons, George and Charles, moved to the town and made it their home.

Landmarks and Places in Lawton

• The William Strong Arboretum and Nature Trail, on wooded school district property.
• The Welch grape juice factory, part of Lawton since 1919.

The Lawton Economy

• Grapes are the defining local industry. What began with experiments around 1860 grew into one of Southwest Michigan's largest industries, with several wineries in the area.
• A Welch grape juice factory located in Lawton has been part of the village since 1919.

Community Life in Lawton

• Lawton Community Schools serves the village plus parts of Antwerp, Decatur, Paw Paw and Porter townships in Van Buren County, and part of Prairie Ronde Township in Kalamazoo County.
• A new high school opened in fall 1973 built on the open classroom concept, considered cutting edge at the time. The concept was abandoned little by little through added dividers and temporary walls, and was ended entirely by the renovation completed in January 2005.
• In 2006 the William Strong Arboretum and Nature Trail was established on a wooded piece of school property. Michigan State University partnered with the district on the trail with the aim of increasing environmental literacy, and it is named after a science teacher and environmental club advisor.

Local reference: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, www.lawtonmi.org