The City of Grand Rapids, as the second largest city in the state of
Michigan, encompasses an area of approximately 45 square miles. It is
located in Western Michigan, roughly 30 miles east of Lake Michigan.
The Grand River, the longest river in Michigan at 260 miles, runs through the
city's center. The city's population is 197,800, per the 2000 census.
Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County which boasts a
population count of over 500,000, covering 856 square miles. Our
metropolitan area has a population of over 1,500,000.
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 led the
nation in 1945 when it became the first city in the United States to add fluoride
to its drinking water. Grand Rapids lays claims to the first scheduled air
service, and the first publicly-funded art installation, Alexander Calder's
Le Grande Vitesse sculpture in Rosa Parks Circle, downtown.
Grand Rapids is home to Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park,
one of the midwest's largest and most prestigious Gardens. Former
President, Jimmy Carter called it " A National Treasure" when he visited.
It is situated on 125 acres, has a 5 story conservatory, a 30+ acre outdoor
sculpture park, a Children's Garden, a Farm Garden, a Woodland
Shade Garden, a Natural HabitatTrail & Boardwalk, 2 sculpture
exhibit rooms for special exhibits, and an outdoor concert area.
John Ball Zoo is located in the city of Grand Rapids and has over 1100
animals from Michigan's only Komodo Dragon to the Sting Ray Lagoon,
the only one of its kind. A family friendly zoo with a chimpanzee exhibit, a
Children's Zoo where petting is allowed, the Living Shores Aquarium, and
in June 2008, the new Tanzanian Lion Exhibit opened.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is located at Ah-Nab-Awen
Park on the banks of the Grand River downtown. Celebrating Grand Rapids'
most famous son, the Museum contains President Ford's history as President
of the United States, Presidential gifts, a replica of the Oval Office, his burial
site, and various temporary exhibits.
The Children's Museum in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids has
wonderful happenings and great exhibits. It is F-U-N, no matter what age kid
you are, 3 or 83. A new Art Museum, which is the first Gold LEED certified
public museum to open in this country has over 70% of its illumination by
natural light, which is just one of the green ideas incorporated into this
structure.
The Meyer May House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was built
in Grand Rapids in 1908. His last Prairie Style house and its furnishings
have been meticulously restored by the Steelcase Company.
They use it for company functions and open it to the public as a Museum
on specific days. It is located in the Heritage Hill District of Grand Rapids,
one of the largest urban heritage districts in the nation with over
1,300 hundred houses in over 60 architectural styles.
Grand Rapids has over 2,000 acres of land dedicated to parks and
recreation for the public's use and enjoyment. They include public outdoor art,
scultures, historical monuments, and our beautiful natural resources. The list
of 78 parks can be accessed at the City of Grand Rapids website. They range
from the truly large - Millenium Park on the Grand River to the small & intimate
- the Fish Ladder Sculpture Park on the Grand River downtown. There is a
park near you wherever you live - check it out, you might be surprised at what
you find.
Grand Rapids has a diverse economy with many types of industry
and businesses. Grand Rapids is home to the Medical Mile, the nickname
given to Michigan Avenue, which began major construction a few years ago
and has grown into one of the premier medical research areas in the United
States.
Michigan State University's School of Human Medicine is located in
downtown Grand Rapids. The college opened in the fall of 2010.
Spectrum Health, The Van Andel Institute, and The Devos-Cook Research
Center are all located in this area.
Grand Rapids has many shopping destinations, from the huge
Rivertown Crossings Mall to the small shops & boutiques in Eastown, there
is something for everyone's taste. Several local cities are also
great destinations for a day trip of shopping and beach trips: Historic Lowell,
Rockford Squires Street Square, Village of Ada, Holland, Grand Haven, and
Saugatuck-Douglas.
Places to stay while you are in Grand Rapids range from the Amway
Grand Plaza downtown, the only AAA Four Diamond rated hotel in Grand
Rapids. One of the few JW Marriott luxury hotels in the world opened here in
Grand Rapids. Many national chains have numerous locations in the Grand
Rapids area and the local bed & breakfast inns are another option for
your stay in Grand Rapids.
Over 2,000 years ago, the Hopewell Indians, known for their large
burial mounds, occupied the Grand River Valley. The Ottawa Indian tribe
occupied this area as their summer fishing camp starting about 300 years
ago. Grand Rapids current city history started about 1826 when a French
trader named Louis Campau established a trading post here.
After an international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, Grand Rapids
became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture.
There is a wonderful exhibit of our furniture history at the Grand Rapids Public
Museum. Today, Grand Rapids is considered a world leader in the production
of office furniture, with Herman Miller and Steelcase, both located here in Wes
t Michigan.
Grand Rapids Photos on Flickr
Westbrook Realty • 5673 Far Hill Dr. SE • Grand Rapids, MI 49546 • 616-292-7263
Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Equal Opportunity Employer.
Westbrook Realty does business in the state of Michigan.
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