Lawton

Located in scenic Van Buren County, Lawton is a small community with much to offer. Conveniently located near Interstate 94 and in close proximity to a number of lakes and scenic areas, it is a popular spot for vacationers from Detroit and Chicago.

The first settlers in Van Buren County arrived in 1829 from Virginia, Dolphin and Nancy Morris. Settlers began to slowly arrive over the next few years, and eventually a mill, stores, and restaurants were built. In 1834, Daniel O. Dodge built one of the first taverns in the area, which made the area one of the more popular destinations for settlers. The area is still extremely popular for pristine wilderness and fertile farmlands.

Lawton Community Schools serve the area, with an elementary, middle, and high school in the town to serve grades K-12. Lawton High School is a nationally acclaimed school, recently being named a 2014 Bronze Medal High School by U.S. News and World Report, placing it in the top 24.2% of all schools nationwide. Transportation in the area is abundant, with Interstates 94 and 196 easily accessible, and Amtrak’s Pere Marquette train offering daily service to Chicago from Bangor.

Natural beauty is plentiful in the area, and it draws thousands of visitors to the area every year, particularly in the summer. Dunes Parkway, an 84 acre preserve of sand dunes, is located in Covert Township, and is a popular destination for people of all ages. The Kal-Haven Trail, which follows the path of old railroad tracks, is popular for hiking and biking in the summer, and snowmobiling in the winter. Numerous small lakes in the area are considered ideal fishing and boating destinations.