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| I Want To Be A Student That Knows More Interesting Facts About Michigan! |
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| Lansing - Our Capital |
As most of us know, Lansing is the capital city of Michigan which is located
mostly in Ingham County. Lansing is one of the only U.S. state capitals that is
not also a county seat!
The space that is now Lansing was originally spotted by an explorer named
Hugh Howard in 1790 while canoeing the Grand River. This land however was
not surveyed until 1825. At that time it was dense forest with no roads. The
only occupants were Native Americans who survived by living off the land along
the river.
In 1835, two brothers from Lansing, New York plotted the area just south of
downtown Lansing. They named this area Biddle Town. Most of this land was
in a floodplain and underwater for much of the year. Despite this, the brothers
returned to New York to sell the plots to unsuspecting people wanting to test
their fortunes in new land. The group of settlers arrived in Michigan, only to
find their plots submerged under water! Regardless, many in the group
decided to stay and they established what is now Lansing. They named the
town “Lansing Township” after their village in New York.
In 1847, when the settlement had less than 20 residents, the state
constitution mandated that the current state capital in Detroit relocate to a
more centralized, protected location. The Legislature decided that Detroit’s
closeness to the border of Canada was vulnerable to invasions by British
forces. In 1812, Detroit had been captured by the British and the United States
had to recapture the city in 1813. There was also concern that Detroit being
the largest city, would hold too much influence over state politics.
mostly in Ingham County. Lansing is one of the only U.S. state capitals that is
not also a county seat!
The space that is now Lansing was originally spotted by an explorer named
Hugh Howard in 1790 while canoeing the Grand River. This land however was
not surveyed until 1825. At that time it was dense forest with no roads. The
only occupants were Native Americans who survived by living off the land along
the river.
In 1835, two brothers from Lansing, New York plotted the area just south of
downtown Lansing. They named this area Biddle Town. Most of this land was
in a floodplain and underwater for much of the year. Despite this, the brothers
returned to New York to sell the plots to unsuspecting people wanting to test
their fortunes in new land. The group of settlers arrived in Michigan, only to
find their plots submerged under water! Regardless, many in the group
decided to stay and they established what is now Lansing. They named the
town “Lansing Township” after their village in New York.
In 1847, when the settlement had less than 20 residents, the state
constitution mandated that the current state capital in Detroit relocate to a
more centralized, protected location. The Legislature decided that Detroit’s
closeness to the border of Canada was vulnerable to invasions by British
forces. In 1812, Detroit had been captured by the British and the United States
had to recapture the city in 1813. There was also concern that Detroit being
the largest city, would hold too much influence over state politics.
win the capital. Because the Michigan House of Representatives were unable
to agree on a suitable location for the new capital, they settled on Lansing
Township out of frustration. Lansing Township was renamed Lansing after
John Lansing, a New York patriot and one of the official delegates to the
Constitutional Convention. Two months later, Governor William L. Greenly
signed into law the act of the legislature, officially making Lansing Township
the state capital.
Over the years, the small village expanded quickly. The Michigan
Agricultural College (established in 1855) and the Michigan Female College
opened. The Agricultural College is the first land grant college and the oldest
agricultural teaching center in the nation. These two institutions combined
eventually and became Michigan State University.
In 1859, the city was incorporated and had nearly 3,000 residents. In the
next twenty years, the city added a rail system, plank road and the state
Capital building in 1878.
Throughout the remainder of the century, Lansing developed its industry.
The city’s transition to manufacturing came with the beginning of the Olds
Motor Vehicle Company by R.E. Olds in 1897. Lansing emerged as a major
industrial center for manufacturing vehicles.
Today, the city’s economy is diverse, containing government service, health
care, manufacturing, insurance, banking and education. Lansing now has a
population of over 500,000.
to agree on a suitable location for the new capital, they settled on Lansing
Township out of frustration. Lansing Township was renamed Lansing after
John Lansing, a New York patriot and one of the official delegates to the
Constitutional Convention. Two months later, Governor William L. Greenly
signed into law the act of the legislature, officially making Lansing Township
the state capital.
Over the years, the small village expanded quickly. The Michigan
Agricultural College (established in 1855) and the Michigan Female College
opened. The Agricultural College is the first land grant college and the oldest
agricultural teaching center in the nation. These two institutions combined
eventually and became Michigan State University.
In 1859, the city was incorporated and had nearly 3,000 residents. In the
next twenty years, the city added a rail system, plank road and the state
Capital building in 1878.
Throughout the remainder of the century, Lansing developed its industry.
The city’s transition to manufacturing came with the beginning of the Olds
Motor Vehicle Company by R.E. Olds in 1897. Lansing emerged as a major
industrial center for manufacturing vehicles.
Today, the city’s economy is diverse, containing government service, health
care, manufacturing, insurance, banking and education. Lansing now has a
population of over 500,000.
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