Grand Rapids, Michigan


Grand Rapids is located in the southwestern part and is the second largest city in the U.S. State of Michigan. The Furniture City. Grand Rapids is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies. Grand Rapids was in 2010 named the most sustainable midsize city in the USA. The city was the hometown of Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States.



To See And To Do In Grand Rapids


  • Grand Rapids Public Museum
  • Grands Rapids Art Museum
  • Gerald R. Ford Museum
  • Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
  • Van Andel Museum Center
  • Golf
  • Biking
  • Ada Covered Bridge
  • Heritage Hill Historic District
  • Cappon House & Settlers House Museums
  • Dutch Village


History Of Grand Rapids - Timeline


The Grand Rapids area was settled by Europeans in 1825. In 1826, a fur trader named Louis Campau settled in the region and established a trading post, a blacksmith shop. Louis Campau is the official founder of Grand Rapids. He built a cabin, a trading post, and a blacksmith shop.

In 1831 the federal survey of the Northwest Territory reached the Grand River. The same year, Louis Campau bought 72 acres of what is now the entire downtown business district of Grand Rapids. He purchased it from the federal government for $90 and named the land Grand Rapids. Fertile land, timber and mineral resources attracted settlers to the area.

The Furniture Industry started in 1838 and the settlement had incorporated itself as a village. In 1845, 1,510 people lived there and in 1850, the village of Grand Rapids became the city of Grand Rapids. In 1857, the Grand Rapids Gas Light Co. was providing gas for streetlights. In 1858 the railroad was built and the Widdicomb Furniture Company was founded.

In 1876, after an international exhibition in Philadelphia, Grand Rapids became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture. In 1880, the first hydroelectric generator was put to use in the city. In 1881, the Furniture Manufacturers Association was organized. In 1890, the Morning Press newspaper was founded.

In 1900, 87,500 people lived in the city. In 1904, a devastating spring flood in the city occurred and thousands of people left their homes. In 1911, the original Wealthy Theatre building was constructed. In 1926, regularly scheduled passenger airlines began flights from Grand Rapids.

In 1945, Grand Rapids was the first city in the USA to add fluoride to its drinking water. In 1968, the actress Gillian Anderson was born in the city. In 1981, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel reopened. In 1996, the 10,834-seat multi-purpose arena "Van Andel Arena" opened. In 2003, the multi-purpose convention center "DeVos Place Convention Center" opened.