Lowell

Known as Michigan’s first businesswoman, Marguerite-Magdelaine LaFramboise took over her husband’s fur trade after his murder in 1806, creating a thriving outpost that eventually grew into the small but vibrant city of Lowell in Kent County. Located about 20 miles east of Grand Rapids, the city boasts a bustling historic district supported by the Lowell Area Historical Museum. Luanne Kaeb, the museum’s program and education director and a lifelong Lowell resident, says, “Lowell’s motto is ‘The Next Place to Be,’ which shows that we’re growing and changing, but I love knowing and sharing the history here because it’s just so rich.”

From the 1932 showboat that still hosts summer concerts along the river to the brightly colored murals and interpretive signs found around the city, Lowell’s history shines. Downtown, which straddles the Flat River, features eclectic shops, boutiques and restaurants housed in original 1830s brick buildings that pop with bright pastels. Locals throng to the riverfront to walk the tree-lined path along the shore, fish by Flat River dam and join in events like the museum’s annual Summerfest, artists’ markets, holiday celebrations and more.

Riverfront scenery is another big attraction here. Kaeb says, “People love taking pictures on the pedestrian bridge over the Grand River and at the Fallasburg covered bridge at Fallasburg Park on the Flat River.” The wooden pedestrian bridge offers incredible city views, while Fallasburg Park provides a rural setting with picnic shelters, playgrounds, athletic fields, disc golf, hiking and historical markers. The park is also home to the Fallasburg Festival for the Arts, which draws 25,000 visitors annually.

Lowell residents enjoy tranquil city blocks lined with trees that are often walkable to schools and local amenities. Homes include historic 19th-century Victorians, Tudors and restored farmhouses offering up to 3,000 square feet and five bedrooms for under $300,000; smaller, early 20th-century bungalows and cottages with 1,500 square feet or less and two or three bedrooms in the low- to mid-$200,000s; or contemporary homes featuring two-car garages and three or four bedrooms with around 2,000 square feet from the high-$200,000s to mid-$300,000s. To the north, the rural countryside features pockets of new homes mixed with vintage farmhouses and cottages. A recently built five-bedroom Craftsman-style home with 3,000 square feet set on 2.5 acres costs around $600,000, while a 1905 Colonial farmhouse with modern upgrades, three bedrooms and just under 2,000 square feet may cost $220,000. Further north at Murray Lake, homes range from $250,000 for a mid-century rambler with two bedrooms and 1,400 square feet to $1 million or more for a custom lakefront estate with four bedrooms and nearly 4,000 square feet.

While many commute to Grand Rapids and enjoy the small but convenient Lowell City Airport for travel, Kaeb likes to keep it local. She says, “I do all my shopping here. With so many little shops here and a Meijer, I have everything I need.” Kaeb also loves trying Lowell’s many restaurants. Locals enjoy coffee and treats at Sweet Seasons Bakery and Café, join up at Main Street BBQ for authentic Texas barbecue or gather at Big Boiler Brewery for burgers and beers.

The city’s active community also enjoys the North Country National Scenic Trail which cuts through Lowell, and parks like Creekside Park which provides athletic fields, a community garden and the wooden Creekside Kingdom playground. Stoney Lakeside Park on the Grand River offers a large lake for swimming, fishing and boating along with a modern playground, volleyball, horseshoes and a dog park. Or, residents head to Arrowhead Golf Course, a popular public course with 18 holes that wind through wooded hills.

Students in Lowell attend Lowell Area Schools like Cherry Creek Elementary in the city or Murray Lake Elementary to the north, both of which receive A-minus ratings from Niche. Lowell Middle School features strong music and athletic programs with an A-minus from Niche. Lowell High School helps teens succeed with 27 athletic programs, 30 extracurricular clubs and an academic program recognized as one of Kent County’s best, earning a B-plus from Niche.

Rich in history and local resources, Lowell provides an ideal riverfront haven, lakeside retreat, or country escape backed by small-town charm.

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

Tyler Bolduc

Video By

Matt Pangman