Historic Walking Tour The factory that now bears the Ameriwood Furniture name was the original Round Oak Stove Company manufacturing facility. The complex, with the oldest building being over 90 years old, give good service today, a tribute to the workmanship of its time. Philo D. Beckwith invented an underdraft stove, which made this an industrial community. The Michigan Central Railroad officials heard of the stove and asked that one be made for the Dowagiac depot. To make a long and colorful story short, that humble beginning became the hub of employment that employed 1,500 men. Today Southwestern Michigan College has quite a collection of Round Oak's mementos. Many of these stoves can be seen on display throughout the downtown business district as well. One block to the West of the Depot is our business district. In 1987 the "streetscape" of the downtown district was revamped to allow for more free-flowing foot traffic and easier access to parking. The resulting wave of restorations of the downtown storefronts makes history come alive on this small town street. Beckwith Park sits on the corner lot that was once occupied by the original Beckwith Memorial Theatre. Regarded as one of the finest theatres between New York and Chicago, it hosted such well-known names as William S. Hart, Roland Reed, Robert Mantell and Otis Skinner. This massive structure once housed a bank, city hall and Round Oak Company offices. The park is home to the Stone Lion sculpture, keeping watch over the Haggin Wimberly Gazebo that hosts the summer concert series and is the community gathering spot during the Candlelight Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting.