Destination Dowagiac 2026

favorite symbol of Dowagiac’s landscape. Dogwoods are abundant throughout the city, especially in spring, and Dowagiac holds the distinction of being the first Dogwood Tree City USA, recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation. THE COMPASS STAR Behind the dogwood sits an orange, four-pointed compass star, symbolizing the many directions from which people, industries, and cultures have come to shape Dowagiac. Each point honors a cornerstone of the city’s economic and industrial history: • The Michigan Central Railroad • The Colby Mill • The Round Oak Stove Company • The Heddon Lures Company The orange color carries layered meaning. It reflects fire, acknowledging both Dowagiac’s legacy as “Furnace City” and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, known as the “Keepers of the Fire.” The color also mirrors the vibrant orange associated with Encircling the central imagery is a blue ring, representing Dowagiac’s vital waterways, and the broader influence of the Great Lakes. The surrounding green field symbolizes the area’s agricultural heritage. Together, the primary colors—orange, blue, and green—also represent Dowagiac’s three city wards, and the circle in the middle of the flag represents the location of Dowagiac at the intersection of four townships. A FLAG YOU CAN TAKE HOME Residents and visitors can find a wide variety of merchandise featuring the flag design at Deck The Halls, located on Front Street in downtown Dowagiac. Items include t-shirts, coasters, golf balls, Christmas ornaments, and more Dowagiac Union Schools. WATER, LAND, AND UNITY

A SYMBOL FOR THE FUTURE Since its unveiling, Dowagiac’s flag has been embraced as more than a decorative element. For residents, it serves as a reminder that Dowagiac’s story is not defined by a single era, industry, or neighborhood—but by the collective contributions of its people. As the flag flies, it carries with it the past, present, and future of a city proud of where it has been and confident in where it is going.

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