Wacousta is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a parcel of land that is not governed by a local general-purpose municipal corporation. (At p. 178.) They may be governed or serviced by an encompassing unit (such as a county) or another branch of the state (such as th ...

and

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counte ...

(CDP) in

Clinton County Clinton County may refer to: *Counties named for George Clinton, first and third Governor of New York, and later the fourth Vice President of the United States: **Clinton County, New York ** Clinton County, Ohio *Counties named for DeWitt Clinton, ...

in the U.S. state of

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

. The CDP is located within Watertown Charter Township, Michigan, Watertown Charter Township. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, it had a population of 1,532.

History

The community of Wacousta was listed as a newly-organized

for the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, meaning it now has officially defined boundaries and population statistics for the first time. Township date of Organization: March 20, 1837 Recognized as a Charter Township: December 8, 1966 In the heart of Michigan, along the winding Looking Glass River, a pioneering spirit took root. In 1837, a group of visionaries, drawn to the river's potential for water power, formed the Waterloo Joint Stock Company. Their ambitious goal was to establish a thriving community centered around a sawmill and gristmill. The company purchased a substantial tract of land and began construction. A sawmill, gristmill, dwellings, and even a store soon materialized. However, the ambitious scale of their project outpaced the local population's needs, leading to financial difficulties. The property eventually changed hands several times, ultimately landing in the hands of Nathaniel I. Daniells. Daniells, a New York native with a history of entrepreneurial ventures, saw potential in Wacousta. He purchased half of the property and leased the other half, becoming a pivotal figure in the town's development. His arrival marked a turning point, as he brought his determination and business acumen to the fledgling community. Despite facing legal challenges and community resistance, Daniells persevered. He repaired the sawmill, established a gristmill, and played a key role in the town's growth. His efforts helped to attract other settlers and businesses, contributing to Wacousta's transformation into a thriving community. Over the years, Wacousta continued to evolve. New industries emerged, including blacksmith shops and medical practices. The town also became a hub for local agriculture and commerce. Through the dedication and resilience of its early pioneers, Wacousta established itself as a cornerstone of the region's history.

Geography

The Wacousta CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (0.89%) is water. The Looking Glass River flows from east to west across the CDP.

Demographics

References

{{authority control Unincorporated communities in Clinton County, Michigan Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area Unincorporated communities in Michigan Census-designated places in Clinton County, Michigan Census-designated places in Michigan