How Davisville became Croswell
The Black River settlement that became Croswell was first called Davisville, then renamed in 1877 for Charles Croswell — the man who happened to be Michigan's governor at the time.
Croswell’s adopted comprehensive plan traces the community to the Black River Settlement. Settlers arrived in the 1840s, and a sawmill begun in 1845 helped the community grow. The place later became Davisville, honoring Randall E. Davis, who completed the mill and served as the first postmaster.
In 1877, the community became Croswell in honor of Charles M. Croswell. The state lists him as Michigan’s 17th governor, serving from 1877 through 1880. The timing is the memorable part: the community adopted the name in the same year Croswell took office.
The railroad arrived in 1879, two years after the name change. Croswell incorporated as a village in 1881 and shifted from lumber toward agriculture as the surrounding land was cleared. The name remains a compact reminder of one moment in Michigan’s political and local history.
Sources
Last reviewed against the listed sources: July 12, 2026.