About Fennville...

Fennville was named after E. A. Fenn, who moved here from New York City in 1853. Fenn eventually opened a sawmill, and it was from this that the settlement was originally called Fenn's Mill. The name was subsequently changed to Fennville in the late 1800's.

On February 20, 1889, Fennville was incorporated as a village. The first Village President was Frank S. Raymond, who was in the hardware business with L.S. Dickinson and also was partners with J. E. Hutchinson in both a store and the bank. The Federal Census listed the population of Fennville in 1890 as 360. On February 7, 1961, Fennville became a City. T.E. Van Dussen became the first Mayor of the City. The current population, according to the 2,000 Census, is 1459.

Today Fennville is governed by the City Commission, who appoint the Mayor of the City. The City Commission consists of seven elected officials who hold four year terms. The Commission meets on the first and third Monday of the month to set policy and make decisions for the operation of the City.

The City's largest employers are Birds Eye Foods and the Fennville Public Schools. Our Chamber of Commerce holds the Goose Festival annually in October, a delightful event with many parades, vendors, and entertainers. Several excellent eateries are found in our City, including Su Casa, the Blue Goose, and the Tastee Treet. There are also unique and comfortable bed and breakfast establishments here in Fennville which is located a few minutes from the shore of Lake Michigan. Our area offers fine golf courses, horseback riding, and hunting or game/bird watching at the nearby Todd Farm game preserve or the Allegan Forest. Hiking and cycling are also common pastimes for the area.