An author's castle and a presidential candidate's hometown

For a small city, Owosso has produced some outsized names. The most colorful is James Oliver Curwood (1878–1927). He grew up here and wrote 33 popular adventure novels, many set in the Canadian North. The City of Owosso says his books were among North America’s most popular in the 1920s and many became movies. Construction on his French-chateau-style riverside writing studio began in 1922 and finished in 1923. He wrote several later works in its tower. The Library of Michigan also recognizes his role in the state’s early conservation movement. Curwood Castle is a museum today, and Owosso holds the Curwood Festival in his honor on the first full weekend in June.

Owosso’s other famous son was Thomas E. Dewey (1902–1971). He was born here, the son of the local newspaper publisher. He went east and made his name as a crime-busting New York prosecutor. He served three terms as governor of New York. He was also the Republican nominee for president twice. He ran in 1944 against Franklin Roosevelt and in 1948 against Harry Truman. The 1948 race produced one of history’s most famous headlines. A Chicago paper printed “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN” before the votes were in. Then Dewey lost. When he came home to Owosso during that campaign, a reported 27,000 people lined the streets to see him.

The little chateau still stands on the riverbank at 224 Curwood Castle Drive, tower and all. Museum hours and holiday closures change, so use the city’s current listing when you plan a visit.