History of Grand Rapids

The City of Grand Rapids is the second largest city in the state of Michigan. It encompasses an area of approximately 45 square miles. Grand Rapids is located in west central Michigan, roughly 30 miles east of Lake Michigan. The Grand River, a major state waterway, runs through the city's center. The city's population is 188,040 according to the 2010 census. Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County. The county has a population count of over 500,000, covering 856 square miles. Our metropolitan area has a population of over 1,000,000.

Over 2,000 years ago, the Hopewell Indians occupied the Grand River Valley. They were known for their large burial mounds. About 300 years ago, the Ottawa Indians moved into the area and lived in several villages along the river. When the British and French arrived, the Ottawa traded fur pelts for European metal and textile goods.

One French trader named Louis Campau established a trading post here in 1826. He was not the first permanent white settler. A Baptist minister named Isaac McCoy was first. He arrived in 1825. Campau became the most important settler in 1831.  He did this when he bought what is now the entire downtown business district of Grand Rapids. He bought it from the federal government for $90.

By 1838 the settlement had incorporated as a village. It encompassed an area of approximately three-quarters of a mile. The first formal census occurred in 1845. This announced a population of 1,510 and recorded an area of four square miles. In 1850, the burgeoning community became a city with a population of 2,686. By 1857, the City of Grand Rapids' boundary totaled 10.5 square miles.

Grand Rapids became known worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture. This came after an international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Today, Grand Rapids is still a world leader in the production of office furniture.

Grand Rapids has a history of leadership. In 1881, the country's first hydro-electric plant came to life on the City's west side. Grand Rapids became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its drinking water in 1945. Grand Rapids lays claims to the first scheduled air service. We are also responsible for the first publicly-funded art installation.

With the new century, the people of Grand Rapids numbered 82,565. In 1916 the citizens of Grand Rapids voted to adopt a home rule charter. This abolished the old aldermanic systems. A commission-manager form of government took its place. This was one of the first in the country. That 1916 Charter, although amended several times, is still in effect.