History

The City of Newaygo is the oldest community in Newaygo County. The Penoyer and Brooks families were among the first settlers to Newaygo. They founded Newaygo’s first saw mill known as the “Big Red Mill”. The rail service came through Newaygo in 1873, connecting with metropolitan Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Detroit. The City Museum is filled with pieces of Newaygo’s history. In 1883 a massive fire destroyed Newaygo, leaving only two buildings standing. The architectual influence existing today is of the late victorian style. The proximity of the Muskegon River was the driving force of Newaygo’s early economy, with mills, lumbering, and recreation developing near by. The city today is a place for families to enjoy our heritage.