Some Historical
Facts
Who
founded G.R.?
Commonly
accepted to be French fur trader Louis Campeau in 1826, but Baptist missionary
Isaac McCoy visited in the Fall of 1825. Campeau stayed though and McCoy
didn’t.
Who
settled G.R.?
The first were New Englanders in the 1830s. Dutch and German
immigrants followed soon after. Eastern and Southern Europeans came at
the end of the 19th century.
What
tribes inhabited the area?
The Ottawa lived nearby prior to settlement, the Chippewa were
just north and the Pottowattomie were just south. They made up a group
called The People of the Three Fires. The tribe known as the Mound
Builders inhabited this area 2,000 years ago.
When
did the earliest African Americans arrive?
They arrived in the 1830s after walking from Detroit as part
of a work gang that built canals around the city.
When
did the first Latinos arrive?
In the 1920s to work on the railroads. Today they are the fastest
growing group in the city. Today the latest census indicates most people
coming from a mixed heritage-no longer does one ethnicity dominate over
the others. (ex. Part Dutch/part Italian, part Irish/part German etc.)
What
is the primary industry?
Residential furniture dominated in the 19th century
and today the office and commercial furniture industry is large, but mostly
today G.R. is characterized as having a diverse business community which
is what makes it a desirable and successful business area.
Grand
Rapids Historical Society
60 Library Plaza NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-3640
website
developed by
www.digitalsea.com
616 454 6002