 Originally called "Dallas", Fowler was created when Robert Highman, Chief Engineer of the Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee Railroad, and E.A Wales acquired a tract of land along the railroad right-of-way in 1847.The town subsequently moved to a tract of land 1/10 of a mile east of the original tract, owned by John N. Fowler and in 1869 the name was changed to "Fowler".In 1885, the town incorporated as a village in Clinton County, reportedly during a high growth lumber boom.