Three Oaks
On the eastern side of Harbor Country, about six miles to the east of the shore of Lake Michigan, is the small village of Three Oaks. Three Oaks is a haven for the arts, with regular live performances at the famous Acorn Theater, as well as independent and foreign films showing regularly in Three Oaks' vintage Vickers Theater. Three Oaks further celebrates the arts with art festivals on the streets occurring every month on a regular basis.
A lovely town center with a bistro, cafe and other restaurants, along with shopping, galleries and bicycle trails round out this beautiful village at the eastern edge of Harbor Country. In fact, Three Oaks is so lovely, it was used as the background and location shoot for the popular Christmas movie “Prancer” released in 1989.
Let Us Show You All That Three Oaks Has To Offer
If you are looking for a lovely, quaint village, rich with history and devoted to culture and the arts, then Three Oaks is definitely the place you have been looking for. Three Oaks has something art related going on year-round as well as Apple Cider Century, one of the largest biking events in the country, held every year on the last day of September with over 7,000 riders! If this sounds like a place for you, then let us show you around Three Oaks and help you find the perfect home for you and your family.
The Rich History Of Three Oaks
The small village of Three Oaks has a long and storied history for a small village of its size. Originally founded by Henry Chamberlain in 1850, the village was originally named Chamberlain's Siding but was eventually named Three Oaks after a group of three massive oak trees that were clustered near one of its rail crossings. Three Oaks became a village in 1850 and was an important link for the brick and timber industry transporting their bricks and timber to Chicago and the other cities along the Great Lakes. Unfortunately none of the original Oak trees still stand today, with the last one being cut down almost 100 years ago.
Another major historical and larger-than-life figure in Three Oaks history was Edward Warren, a local store owner, who founded the Warren Featherbone Factory after a buying trip to a Chicago feather duster factory. As the story goes, one day he had noticed one of his store clerks using the large quill from a turkey feather to fix the whalebone stay of a lady's corset commonly worn during the period. Afterwards, when he went on his buying trip to the feather duster factory he noticed huge amounts of turkey feathers being burned as waste, because their quills were too stiff to be used as feather dusters. The concept of using feather quills to replace the hard, stiff whalebone in those corsets of yesterday was born and named 'featherbone'. It quickly exploded into a world-wide business, which made Warren a very, very wealthy man.
Even more larger-than-life were Warren's factory and the village of Three Oaks when they raised over $1,400 in contributions for a war memorial for the men of the battleship 'Maine'. This was more than any other village in the country. When President William McKinley visited the village to attend the dedication of the Dewey Cannon Monument at Dewey Cannon Park, Warren and the local newspaper proudly boasted to him, “Three Oaks Against the World!” in pride of their accomplishment. The campaign that Warren waged in Three Oaks, raised more money for the war effort per-capita than any other city in the country, and was yet another success for an already successful and amazing man.
The Warren Featherbone Company moved from Three Oaks in 1950, but the Warren Featherbone factory still stands and is now the home to an antique market and working artists studios.
Three Oaks At A Glance
Three Oaks is a quiet, peaceful village with about 1,830 full-time residents, who are mostly of Irish and German descent. It is a very safe place, with a below-average crime rate, numerous beautiful parks, above-average law enforcement presence, an excellent school system and nearby healthcare, which all make Three Oaks a very attractive place for families with young children. The unemployment rate is also well below national average, and the average educational attainment and income are significantly above national average. This artistic heaven could be just the little village you are looking for, for your family to call home!
Three Oaks offers a comfortable climate, with an average summer temperature in the mid-70's. Winter temperatures average in the mid-20's, with up to 18 inches of snowfall per month in December and January. This provides a beautiful winter backdrop to one of the most scenic areas in Michigan and perfect conditions for winter sports.
Area Information
Median Home Price - $216,690
Schools - One elementary school and one high school serve the Three Oaks area.
Hospitals - There are three hospitals serving the Three Oaks area.
Emergency Services - There are local police, fire and ambulance services throughout the Three Oaks area.
Find A Great Real Estate Deal in Three Oaks Now
There are some great real estate deals in the Three Oaks area right now, with a nice inventory of single-family homes available. Prices range from the low 200's to the millions for homes. Lake Living Realty will be glad to help you in your search for just the right home, in one of the most stunningly beautiful areas of Michigan. Call us today for an appointment to find your new home!
