Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 26-33340[2] | | |
GNIS ID | 0627084[3] | |
Website | grandhaven.org |
Grand Haven is a city within the
History
The
The city dates its European-American founding to French colonial settlers. A
After the War of 1812, this area became more settled by Americans. A trading post was established here about 1821 by the
In the mid-to-late 19th century, Grand Haven developed as a logging, lumber mill, and shipping town, as well as a shipbuilding center.[8]
The city was served by the Grand Trunk Railway, which ran along the waterfront near the river. Its depot and offices have been adapted for use as a historical museum. The Story and Clark Piano Company built pianos in the city from 1900 to 1984. The smokestack at the piano factory collapsed during the Southern Great Lakes Derecho of 1998. In August 2006, Eagle-Ottawa Leather Co., which developed from the 1838 Sheldon Tannery, announced it would close its local operations that year.
Given the importance of shipping and water trade to the city, the Grand Haven Lighthouses were built in 1839 on the south pier, to mark the most navigable channel into the river. The current lighthouses, painted red, were built in 1875 (outer light) and 1905 (inner). They are connected by a lighted catwalk, which runs along the pier to the shore.[9]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.36 square miles (19.06 km2), of which 5.77 square miles (14.94 km2) is land and 1.59 square miles (4.12 km2) is water.[11]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Grand_haven_lighthouse.jpg/220px-Grand_haven_lighthouse.jpg)
Climate
According to the
Climate data for Grand Haven, Michigan, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 2008–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 63 (17) |
63 (17) |
82 (28) |
80 (27) |
95 (35) |
98 (37) |
96 (36) |
93 (34) |
92 (33) |
83 (28) |
73 (23) |
65 (18) |
98 (37) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 31.7 (−0.2) |
33.2 (0.7) |
42.4 (5.8) |
54.7 (12.6) |
67.1 (19.5) |
76.4 (24.7) |
80.0 (26.7) |
78.9 (26.1) |
72.9 (22.7) |
60.0 (15.6) |
46.7 (8.2) |
36.5 (2.5) |
56.7 (13.7) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 25.5 (−3.6) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
34.0 (1.1) |
45.3 (7.4) |
57.0 (13.9) |
66.7 (19.3) |
71.0 (21.7) |
69.4 (20.8) |
62.7 (17.1) |
51.3 (10.7) |
39.8 (4.3) |
30.9 (−0.6) |
48.3 (9.1) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19.3 (−7.1) |
19.5 (−6.9) |
25.5 (−3.6) |
35.8 (2.1) |
46.9 (8.3) |
56.9 (13.8) |
61.9 (16.6) |
59.8 (15.4) |
52.5 (11.4) |
42.5 (5.8) |
32.8 (0.4) |
25.2 (−3.8) |
39.9 (4.4) |
Record low °F (°C) | −9 (−23) |
−13 (−25) |
−9 (−23) |
15 (−9) |
27 (−3) |
40 (4) |
44 (7) |
41 (5) |
38 (3) |
26 (−3) |
16 (−9) |
6 (−14) |
−13 (−25) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.84 (72) |
2.00 (51) |
2.27 (58) |
3.71 (94) |
3.81 (97) |
3.54 (90) |
3.62 (92) |
3.13 (80) |
3.45 (88) |
3.75 (95) |
3.08 (78) |
2.44 (62) |
37.64 (957) |
Source 1: NOAA[13] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: National Weather Service[12] |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 3,147 | — | |
1880 | 4,862 | 54.5% | |
1890 | 5,028 | 3.4% | |
1900 | 4,743 | −5.7% | |
1910 | 5,856 | 23.5% | |
1920 | 7,205 | 23.0% | |
1930 | 8,345 | 15.8% | |
1940 | 8,799 | 5.4% | |
1950 | 9,536 | 8.4% | |
1960 | 11,066 | 16.0% | |
1970 | 11,844 | 7.0% | |
1980 | 11,763 | −0.7% | |
1990 | 11,951 | 1.6% | |
2000 | 11,168 | −6.6% | |
2010 | 10,412 | −6.8% | |
2020 | 11,011 | 5.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[14] |
Grand Haven is part of the
2010 census
As of the
There were 4,769 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.9% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.82.
The median age in the city was 42.9 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 4,979 households, out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
Business and tourism
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Grand_Haven_State_Park.jpg/220px-Grand_Haven_State_Park.jpg)
The Grand Haven port community is an active beach resort with boating, fishing, sailing, biking, skating etc. along with connecting campgrounds and recreational areas. The city has over 100 miles (160 km) of bike trails, a state beach, boardwalk, two lighthouses, a pier, wharf, large charter fishing fleet and a Great Lakes port, where it imports limestone, slag, cement and coal while exporting sand. Grand Haven is a destination point for residents of inland cities of West Michigan, as well as many from the other side of the state. Grand Rapidians regularly visit to take advantage of the close proximity to the Lake Michigan beaches, State campgrounds, restaurants, bars, attractions with many even owning cottages in the area as their home away from home.
Grand Haven State Park contains beaches which, in summer, water temperatures reach the low 70s°F (2013 had 19 days in the 70s),[16] bringing tens of thousands of visitors as a boon to the local economy.
The state park also includes a campground on Lake Michigan, near the pier and lighthouses. In addition, the city features a ski park (Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl) and a skate park. The waterfront locations bring tourists from all over the state and region for activities which include, boating, sailing, jet skiing, tubing, and wind surfing.
Grand Haven is home to the
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Parade_of_ships.jpg/220px-Parade_of_ships.jpg)
The
The City of Grand Haven has many parks. These include a large section of beach on Lake Michigan, a ski hill, and multiple boat launches. Duncan Woods (officially Duncan Memorial Park) is one of the largest sections of unspoiled virgin forest in the entire lower peninsula of Michigan. In these woods, visitors get to see what Michigan looked like before the deforestation of the lumber era.[18][19]
Technology
Grand Haven has been one of many technology leaders in West Michigan and throughout the country, having been featured in the national media, including on ABC, in PCWorld, ComputerWorld and Forbes magazine.[20][21][22][23] The city was the first municipality in the country to feature a citywide wireless internet service.[24] The wireless service is designed to work throughout the city and up to 15 miles (24 km) offshore for boaters. In 2004, the city started offering wireless internet service for residents, businesses and visitors for payment on varying cost-time scales.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Grand_Haven_Pier_11.28.2019.jpg/218px-Grand_Haven_Pier_11.28.2019.jpg)
Education
Grand Haven public schools:
- Grand Haven High School
- Central High School
- White Pines Intermediate School
- Lakeshore Middle School
- Voyagers School
- Rosy Mound Elementary
- Robinson Elementary
- Peach Plains Elementary
- Mary A. White Elementary
- Lake Hills Elementary
- Griffin Elementary
- Ferry Elementary
Private schools:
- Grand Haven Christian School
- St. John's Lutheran School
Transportation
Highways
US 31 runs through the city along a boulevard and utilizes a drawbridge over the Grand River at the northern city limit.
- I-96.
Media
The area is served by the daily newspaper Grand Haven Tribune, headquartered in Grand Haven. The Tribune has a circulation of 8,813.[25]
The city has several radio stations, including WGHN (AM), WGHN-FM, WMPA, Oldies 94.9, and WAWL.
Notable people
- Howard Bailey, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Neal Ball, first player in Major League Baseball to execute an unassisted triple play (accomplished in 1909)
- BØRNS, indie-pop singer-songwriter, EP "Candy"
- Dan Bylsma, former NHL player, Stanley Cup winner (coaching), former head coach of Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, former assistant coach of Detroit Red Wings
- Thomas W. Ferry, U.S. Senator who served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate
- Presbyterian minister, missionary, and community leader who founded several settlements in Ottawa County.
- Mike Teeter, former NFL special teams player
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Grand Haven, Michigan
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 349.
- ^ "Rix Robinson Park". City of Grand Haven. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
- ^ "Grand Haven History". Michigan History. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
- ^ "1933: Baby Face Nelson Robs First Bank in Grand Haven, Michigan". Michigan Day by Day. August 18, 2018.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- ^ a b "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Grand Rapids". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Grand Haven WWTP, MI". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- ^ "SurfGrandHaven.com -Grand Haven Weather - Grand Haven Surf Cam - Grand Haven Info - Grand Haven Services - Grand Haven Businesses - Water Temperature". surfgrandhaven.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-25.
- ^ "COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1997". ProQuest Congressional. October 21, 2018.
- ^ Dwyer, Dustin. "From wilderness to wasteland: How the destruction of Michigan's forests shaped our state". www.michiganradio.org. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "Duncan Woods". City of Grand Haven. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "Grand Haven, Here We Come - ABC News". Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Kotkin, Joel. "Small Cities Are Becoming New Engine Of Economic Growth". Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Brewin, Rob (2004-07-30). "Michigan city turns on citywide Wi-Fi - Computerworld". Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "Michigan City Goes Wireless". PCWorld. 2004-08-11. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "High Tech Marketing Firms - High Tech PPC and SEO Firms - Chicago Web Design". walkersands.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-02.
- ^ "Grand Haven Tribune". Mondo Times.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)