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• 1825 - Grand Rapids, Michigan founded
  
  wikipedia.org
  
• 1854 - Grand Rapids
  Grand Rapids city, capital of Kent co., Michigan, is finely situated on the rapids of Grand River, 40 miles from its mouth, and 60 miles W. N. W. from Lansing. It is handsomely laid out on the left bank of the river, and has a pleasant and healthy situation, commanding a fine view of the river, and of the Indian mounds on the opposite shore. It is one of the most important and flourishing inland towns of the state, and a place of much activity in trade and manufactures. Large steamboats run daily from this place to Grand Haven, at the mouth of the river, where they connect with the lake steamers; and a smaller boat ascends from the head of the rapids to Lyons, which is about 50 miles distant by water. Salt and gypsum of good quality are found here ; limestone and pine lumber, and other materials for building, are abundant in the vicinity. Nearly 20 manufactories were in operation here in 1861. The river at this place is about 300 yards wide, and falls 18 feet in the course of a mile,... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1876 - September 19 - 1st carpet sweeper patented (Melville Bissell of Grand Rapids, Mich)
  
  historyorb.com
  
  Read more about Melville Reuben BISSELL
• 1880 - July 23 - 1st commercial hydroelectric power planet begins, Grand Rapids, Mich
  
  historyorb.com
  
• 1895 - Grand Rapids
  Grand Rapids, a city of Michigan, capital of Kent co., at the head of steamboat navigation on Grand River," the junction of 6 railroads,—the Chicago & West Michigan, the Grand Rapids & Indiana, the Detroit, Grand Haven" Milwaukee, the Grand Rapids, Lansing & Detroit, the Grand River Valley, and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern It is 60 miles W.N.W. of Lansing. The site is one of much natural beauty. The river here falls 18 feet in a mile; and on either side of the river is a canal, by means of which numerous mills receive their motive-power. The sawing and planing of pine and hard-wood lumber, and the manufacture of furniture, cooperage, and wooden ware, are leading industries. Farm-implements, iron goods, wire, leather, flour, machinery, beer, chemicals, white bricks, pawing: bricks, cement, stucco-plaster, and land-plaster are also extensively manufactured, there being near the town important gypsum-quarries. The town is generally well built, and numerous fine public and private... Read MORE...
  
  
•   1896 - An Aeronaut Killed
  Grand Rapids, Mich., June 29. - Hiram Cole, twenty-six years old, a professional aeronaut, living in Big Rapids, Mich., fell thirty feet from his balloon while making an ascension at a surburban recort [sic] last evening and died shortly afterward.
  Courier Journal
  Louisville, Kentucky
  June 30, 1896
  
•   1905 - TRAIN CRASHES INTO STREET CAR
  Four Probably Fatally Injured, Two Others Hurt, at Grand Rapids, Mich.
  
  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 1. — Six persons were injured, four probably fatally, tonight, when a Grand Rapids & Indiana northbound passenger train crashed into a street car at West Leonard street. The street car was tossed fifty feet. The injured:
  
  Miss Nellie Folkarksim, arm and leg broken and injured internally, may die; Miss Mary Osling, cut about head and body; John Quist, arm broken, injured about head, may die; Motorman W. C. Gardiner, may die; Nicholas De Young, injured about head; John Lindstrom, hurt about head. All the injured were residents of Grand Rapids.
  Duluth News-Tribune
  Duluth, Minnesota
  February 2, 1905
  
•   1910 - BIG CYCLONE RUINS CROPS
  Michigan Section Storm Swept, and Creek Overflows, Flooding Houses.
  
  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 25. - A storm of cyclone proportions raged today north of Grand Rapids and crops, standing, timber and many buildings were ruined. The terrific wind was accompanied by a heavy rain.
  
  Asylum Creek at Traverse City overflowed, flooding a number of residences.
  Morning Oregonian
  Portland, Oregon
  August 26, 1910
  
•   1912 - TORNADO
  Grand Rapids, Mich, July 13. - Grand Rapids was hit early today by a cyclone that injured forty or more persons and did thousands of dollars worth of damage. The storm entered the city from the southwest about four o'clock. The first place struck was the city market and the Grand Rapids Central league base ball park adjoining.
  
  The market was crowded with farmers and their teams as trading had just begun. As the storm struck, the roof of the ball park grand stand was lifted and hurled to pieced, being scattered all over the market.
  
  A panic followed. Horses were killed and a great many persons hurt, some so badly they had to be sent to the hospital. The police reserves and fire department were called.
  
  Sweeps Across City. The storm then swept across town striking the best residence district.
  
  The base ball park and the city market received the brunt of the storm and at the market large injuries occurred.
  
  It as just before the 4 o'clock opening bell rang that the tornado... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1916
  Grand Rapids, a city of Michigan, capital of Kent co., at the head of steamboat navigation on the Grand River, at the junction of the Grand Rapids and Indiana, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and other railroads. It is 60 miles WNW. of Lansing. The site is one of much natural beauty. The river here falls 18 feet in a mile. The sawing and planing of pine and hard-wood lumber and the manufacture of furniture, cooperage, and wooden-ware are leading industries, the manufacture of furniture alone employing upward of 16,000 hands. Farm-implements, wagons, iron goods, wire, leather, flour, machinery, beer, chemicals, white bricks, paving-bricks, cement, and calcined plaster are also extensively manufactured, there being near the town important gypsum-quarries. The town has numerous fine public and private edifices, various charitable and benevolent institutions, and contains the Michigan Soldiers' Home, the State Masonic Home, a United States court-house, public library (of 20,000... Read MORE...
  
  
•   1945 - January 25 - Grand Rapids, Michigan becomes 1st US city to fluoridate its water
  
  historyorb.com
  
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• 2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Grand Rapids:
  Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: This is a stunning botanical garden with beautiful sculptures dotted throughout. It's a serene place to explore and enjoy nature's beauty.
  
  ArtPrize: If you happen to visit during September or October, don't miss ArtPrize, an international art competition that takes over the entire city. Art installations are displayed in public spaces, galleries, and museums.
  
  Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Learn about the life and legacy of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford. The museum houses exhibits and artifacts related to his presidency and his time in Grand Rapids.
  
  Downtown Market: A foodie's paradise! The Downtown Market features various vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, gourmet chocolates, and more. It's also a great place to grab a meal or a coffee.
  
  Heritage Hill Historic District: Take a stroll through this charming historic district, which boasts beautiful Victorian-era homes and tree-lined... Read MORE...