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You may hear the Story of Newaygo County Whispered in the Pines! |
Newaygo County History
Newaygo County became an official county of the State of Michigan in 1851. Newaygo got its beginnings because of the lumbering industry. When, in 1836 the Native Americans had given up title to the land and the territory was open to white settlers, a group of investors from Chicago came up to take property by squatters rights. These investors were looking for lands and timber both of which they found aplenty in what has since become Newaygo county. The lumber industry grew rapidly and continued until the early 1940's when the supply of timber was depleted.
Since then Newaygo county has grown into a sportsman's paradise with it's 234 natural lakes and ponds, 356 miles of rivers and streams and 349,132 acres of forest land making it a prime area for fishing, hunting and camping.
When it comes to the name of Newaygo and it's origins there are disagreements and a few stories, but one thing that everyone seems to acknowledge is the name is of Native American origin.
"No Way Go" -- one story tells of the area being the last stop on the trail for Native American tribes. When they reached this point they told early settlers in broken english, "No Way Go", or go no further.
"New Way to Go" --another story tells of the local natives when they first arrived in the area seeing it's beautiful rivers and valleys saying this was their "New Way to Go" for their trails.
There is even a story that tells of local natives being sold dishpans by a traveling peddlar as decorations to be worn around the squaws necks. The squaws grew tired of these gadgets and put them away. When Winter came and many braves and squaws were sliding down the bluff on boards it is told of an elderly squaw pulling out a dishpan and sliding down the bluff faster than the young braves. Soon all the indians were racing downhill on dishpans shouting the broken english phrase which became the indian phrase "Newaygo".
In 1840, when the boundaries of the county were first defined, there was a trend for naming places after prominent Native Americans. One such native was Nah-way-go. Nah-way-go was a young Ottawa brave who lived along the Saginaw River. He had many feuds and exploits with Native Americans from other tribes, but was always described a brave, a model of strength and grace. His death finally occurred in an encounter with a relative of one of his early victims. This was probably between 1830 and 1840 so the stories of his exploits were likely still fresh in the minds of the people naming the community.
Return to the Newaygo County Tourist Council opening page