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 1857.

The Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee railroad completed the rail line though the area in July and August 1857.

A few years after the founding of Dallas, the town had little economic growth and was subsequently moved to a tract of land 1/10 of a mile west of the original tract, owned by John N. Fowler[5] and in 1869 the name was changed to "Fowler".

The village was originally settled in a swampy area and the move was driven by the lack of economic growth.

In 1885, the town was incorporated as a village in Clinton County, reportedly during a high growth lumber boom.

[citation needed] In 1905, massive flooding in the area washed out a culvert three and a half miles west of town.

A Grand Trunk work train was sent to repair the culvert but plunged into the creek, killing five men.

24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.