Neighborhood Guide: History of Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids has a history that goes as far back as 2000 years and is made up of contributions from many communities and cultures. The city is the second largest in the state of Michigan with a population of more than 200,000 with the metropolitan area having over 1,000,000.

Native American Roots

More than 2,000 years ago the Hopewell natives inhabited the Grand River Valley. This community was known for its great earthen burial mounds, some of which are still preserved to this

day. Circa 1700 AD, people of the Three Fires (the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi) founded several villages around the Grand River.

The Early Settlers

French trader Louis Campau established a trading post in the Grand Rapids area in 1826. However, the first white settler was Baptist Minister Isaac McCoy who arrived in 1825. Campau, on the other hand, became the most important settler in 1831 when he bought what is now the entire downtown business district of Grand Rapids from the federal government for $90. By 1838, the settlement had evolved into a village.

The Rise of Furniture City

In the late 19th century, Grand Rapids became known globally as a leader in the production of high-quality furniture. This

occurred because the city became a major lumbering center by processing logs that floated down the Grand River, the supply of timber allowed the city to begin its venture into the fine wood furniture industry. At one point in time, Grand Rapids was home to 44 furniture companies and recognized worldwide as America’s Furniture City. Today the manufacturing business has shifted focus from residential furniture to office furniture.

The Emergence of Beer City

Englishman John Pannell built a small brewery in what would eventually be downtown Grand Rapids in 1836. The local brewing business excelled until prohibition which greatly

impacted the industry and led to the last remaining brewery closing in 1951. The dry spell came to an end in 1977 when a duo of college classmates opened Canal Street Brewing later renamed Founders Brewing Company. As of now, Founders is the largest of 75 local craft breweries and the city of Grand Rapids is now recognized as Beer City USA.

Health Care Industry

Unknown to most, in 1945 Grand Rapids became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its drinking water. This was acknowledged as one of the 20th century's greatest public

health accomplishments. Local innovators then went on to pave the way for advancements in rehabilitative care, joint implants, generic drugs, and more before establishing the fastest-growing life-sciences cluster, the Medical Mile.