Grand Rapids History

There were less than 1,000 Indians living in West Michigan when Louis Campau arrived in 1826 to establish a trading post. Grand Rapids lies at right angles to Chicago and Detroit. It never became a main line until air travel came to town. It became comfortably accessible by highway only with the arrival of freeways in the ‘50’s and 60’s.

The world knows Grand Rapids as the furniture city, but that came to rest more on quality than quantity. The late Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg contributed to the formation of the United Nations. Grand Rapids earned the tribute of being named an All American City in 1949 and again in 1960.

During the great depression of the 30’s George Welch came on the scene first as city manager and later as mayor of Grand Rapids. Welch instituted a script payment to men doing work for the city which helped a number of destitute families and also get some needed work done for the city. Welch’s plans were so good he was invited to address the mayors of several major cities around the country. Welch was also responsible for installing the water line into Grand Rapids from Lake Michigan.

The first local radio program was in 1924 and the first television station was in 1949. 1945 saw Grand Rapids begin fluoridated water.

Gerald R. Ford became the Republican congressman in 1948 till 1973. Ford became the House Minority Leader in 1965. When Spirio Agnew resigned the vice-presidency, Ford was appointed to that post. Gerald Ford became President of the United States when Richard M. Nixon also resigned.

The 1960’s brought urban renewal to downtown Grand Rapids to bring the city up to date. From a smaller airport near Madison and 32nd St a new airport was built and is now known as the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Woodland Mall was built in 1965 to begin the mall system ringing the city in the suburbs.

Grand Rapids has always been know as the city of churches. There are lots of local sports around the area including the West Michigan Whitecaps and Berlin Raceway. There are also a number of attractions available including the Van Andel Public Museum, the Van Andel Arena, Children’s Museum, the Public Library in downtown Grand Rapids, Frederick Meijer Gardens, and soon the new zoo to be built near the Frederick Meijer Gardens. Each year about one half-million people come downtown to participate in the Festival of the Arts.

The Meijer stores are headquartered in the Grand Rapids area and Rivertown Crossings Mall is the newest mall in the area.

Many communities surround Grand Rapids, including Cedar Springs, Rockford, Sparta, Coopersville, Plainfield Township, Ada, Lowell, East Grand Rapids, Cascade Township, Alto, Caledonia, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, Jenison, Hudsonville, Allendale.