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Grand Rapids, Michigan

"Furniture City"
Once the furniture manufacturing capital of America, Grand Rapids reinvented itself as a craft beer mecca, medical hub, and the hometown of President Gerald Ford.
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Founded 1826 | Population 200,808 | Peak 200,808 (2024) | County Kent County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Grand Rapids, Michigan

1
1826 Settlement at the Rapids: Louis Campau established a trading post at the rapids of the Grand River, founding what became Grand Rapids.
2
1876 Furniture Capital: Grand Rapids became the furniture manufacturing capital of America, with dozens of factories producing fine wood furniture.
3
1913 Great Flood: The Grand River flooded catastrophically, inundating downtown and causing massive damage.
4
1945 Gerald Ford's Hometown: Gerald Ford represented Grand Rapids in Congress from 1949 to 1973 before becoming the 38th President. His presidential museum is downtown.
5
2009 Beer City USA: Grand Rapids began its rise as a craft beer destination, eventually being voted 'Beer City USA' with over 80 breweries in the metro.
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Latest News in Grand Rapids

Feb 20, 2026
President Trump Faces Backlash After Giving Status Update On The Tariff Dividend Checks
President Donald Trump delivered an unexpected moment of…
Apr 28, 2016
Anti Trade Message Trump Targets Reagan Democrats
Washington, D.C. – In the thick of the 2016 presidential race, Donald Trump zeroed in on a key group of voters with his shar…
Apr 28, 2016
Michigan Could Eliminate Gun Free Zones Churches and Schools
LANSING, Michigan – In late April 2016, Michigan lawmakers pushed forward a controversial bill that could have stripped away gun…
Apr 13, 2016
More Syrian Refugees Come America New Graph Shows Where Refugees Are
Washington, D.C. | April 13, 2016 The U.S. saw a noticeable uptick in Syrian refugees arriving on its shores in recent months, sti…
Apr 9, 2016
Students Trump Movement Takes Root Across Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Back in April 2016, as the presidential race heated up, a surprising wave of support for Donald Trump swept t…
Apr 3, 2016
Man Tries Attack 13 Year Old Michigan Girl Pays Painful Price
LANSING, Michigan (April 3, 2016) – A would-be attacker got more than he bargained for when he targeted a 13-year-old girl in a …

Complete Historical Timeline

1826 Government
Louis Campau establishes trading post
1850 Government
City incorporated
1876 Industry
Becomes furniture capital of America
1913 Disaster
Grand River flood devastates downtown
1949 Politics
Gerald Ford elected to Congress
1981 Culture
Gerald Ford Presidential Museum opens
2004 Culture
ArtPrize international art competition begins
2009 Culture
Voted Beer City USA

Did You Know?

1
Grand Rapids has over 80 craft breweries in the metro area, earning it the title 'Beer City USA' in multiple national polls.
2
Gerald Ford's presidential museum sits on the banks of the Grand River downtown — he and Betty Ford are both buried on the grounds.
3
The city's ArtPrize festival is the world's largest open art competition, with a $500,000 grand prize.

Famous People from Grand Rapids, Michigan

TL
Taylor Lautner
Actor, Voice Actor · Born Feb 11, 1992 · Age 34
FM
Floyd Mayweather
Boxer, Professional Wrestler · Born Feb 24, 1977 · Age 49
AK
Anthony Kiedis
Singer, Songwriter · Born Nov 1, 1962 · Age 63
CK
Christina Koch
Astronaut, Engineer · Born Jan 29, 1979 · Age 47
RC
Roger Bruce Chaffee
Astronaut, Military Officer · Born Feb 15, 1935 · Died Jan 27, 1967 (age 31)

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