Three Oaks is a village in Three Oaks Township, Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,370 at the 2020 census.

The village of Three Oaks is located in the southwest corner of Michigan, just 5 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan and within 2 miles of the Indiana state line along US 12.

History

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 in the early 20th century.

Three Oaks' hometown pride is evident during its Flag Day Celebration in June. The celebration and Flag Day Parade is claimed to be the largest in the country.

"Apple Cider Century" is a bicycle ride of 15, 25, 37, 50, 62, 75 or 100 miles around Three Oaks. It was started by the Three Oaks Spokes Bicycle Club in 1974. More than 6,000 riders take part annually. It is held on the last Sunday of September.

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 Dewey Cannon, which remains on display in the park of the same name, bears the engraved monogram of Queen Isabella II of Spain.

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". On November 4, 2008, a new slate of village councilors were voted into office. The village faced bankruptcy in early December 2008 due to fiscal mismanagement and the State of Michigan took over financial management of the village with the appointment of a financial manager. On April 29, 2009, the EFM laid off every officer except the chief of police. The laid off officers were brought back around two weeks later. The village was given a recommendation to disband its Downtown Development Authority, after an audit showed receipt of excess funds that should have gone to the school district.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,622 people, 678 households, and 422 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 797 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 93.2% White, 1.1% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4% of the population.

There were 678 households, of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the village was 39.3 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Notable people

  • Al Benson, radio DJ
  • Henry Chamberlain, member of the Michigan House of Representatives
  • Kim Clark, stage director and political candidate
  • Frederic G. Donner, former chairman and CEO of General Motors
  • Robert Hellenga, novelist and short story writer
  • Ron Jelinek, member of the Michigan Legislature
  • Carlos T. Mock, physician, activist, and journalist
  • Elton Rynearson, athlete and coach
  • Joe Savoldi, professional wrestler, football player, and spy
  • Edward Kirk Warren, industrialist and inventor
  • Donald S. Whitehead, two-time lieutenant governor of Idaho

References

  • Official website of the village of Three Oaks
  • Official website of Three Oaks Township