Michigan Facts and information
Michigan (MI) was admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837State Capital: Lansing
Michigan is situated in the Midwest region
States sharing a border with Michigan:
Ohio Indiana Wisconsin
Wisconsin , Indiana , Ohio
Size in square miles:
58,110
Major Lakes & Rivers in / through or touching Michigan:
Lake Huron
Lake Michigan
Lake Superior
Lake Erie
Houghton Lake
Higgins Lake
Saginaw Bay
Lake St. Clair
Straits of Mackinac
Whitefish Bay
Thunder Bay
Major sports teams/venues/accomplishments:
Major League Baseball Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park
Championships:
World Series Champions 1984
American League Pennant 2006
National Football League Detroit Lions play at Ford Field
National Hockey League Red Wings play at Joe Louis Arena
Stanley Cup Championships
1935-35, 1936-37, 1942-43, 1949-50, 1951-52, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02
Main industry/ jobs:
Manufacturing
Information Technology
Engineering
Biotechnology
Cherries
Blueberries
Apples
Grapes
Peaches
Education
Tourism
Healthcare:
Health Plus
Henry Ford Health System
Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Michigan
Manufacturing Facilities:
General Motors
Ford
Daimler-Chrysler
Kellogg’s
Post Cereals
Compuware
IBM
Pfizer
Next Energy
Herman Miller
La-Z-Boy
Steelcase
Major Natural Disasters:
1974 – Some of the almost 150 different tornadoes that ravaged the Midwest tore through Michigan. Known as the Super Outbreak, 13 different tornadoes ripped through and did damage over 900 square miles in the region.
1965 – The Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak this year included 78 tornadoes in four different states, causing damage and killing several people along the way.
1953 – The Beecher Tornado, as it is still called in the area, killed several people and damage hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property. The storm system that created this same tornado ripped through other parts of the Midwest and is known as one of the deadliest tornado systems in history.
Michigan Area codes:
231 248 947 269 313 517 586 616 734 810 906 989
Famous People Born in Michigan:
Robin Williams, comedian and actor
Andy Richter, actor
Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Tim Allen, comedian
Henry Ford, automotive industrialist
Gerald R. Ford, United States President
Francis Ford Coppola, director
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, basketball player
Casey Kasem, radio personality
Charles Lindbergh, aviator
Madonna, singer
Ted Nugent, singer and activist
Della Reese, actress
Diana Ross, singer
Steven Seagal, actor
Tom Selleck, actor
Stevie Wonder, singer
Population
Population:1960 – 7,823,194
1970 – 8,875,083
1980 – 9,262,078
1990 – 9,295,297
2000 – 9,938,444
2005 – 10,095,643
Major cities & populations 2004:
1. Detroit – 886,671
2. Grand Rapids – 193,780
3. Warren – 135,311
4. Sterling Heights – 128,034
5. Flint – 118,551
6. Lansing – 115,518
7. Ann Arbor – 113,271
8. Livonia – 97,977
9. Dearborn – 94,090
10. Battle Creek – 53,751
11. Traverse City – 141,011
12. Bay City – 36,817
13. Holland – 91,795
14. Kalamazoo – 77,145
15. Midland – 41,685
Politics
Congress / House of Representatives:Congressman Bart Stupak (Democrat)
Congressman Peter Hoekstra (Republican)
Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers (Republican)
Congressman Dave Camp (Republican)
Congressman Dale Kildee (Democrat)
Congressman Fred Upton (Republican)
Congressman Tim Walberg (Republican)
Congressman Mike Rogers (Republican)
Congressman Joseph Knollenberg (Republican)
Congresswoman Candice Miller (Republican)
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (Republican)
Congressman Sander M. Levin (Democrat)
Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (Democrat)
Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (Democrat)
Congressman John D. Dingell (Democrat)
Governor:
Jennifer Granholm (Democrat)
Senators:
Carl Levin (Democrat)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat)
House Prices, Wages, Taxes
State Sales Tax:6%
Income Tax:
3.90%, slight variations based on actual income
Median Home Values:
1940: $29,800
1950: $45,400
1960: $59,100
1970: $67,200
1980: $77,200
1990: $77,400
2000: $115,600
Examples of homes in local papers:
Lake Side Home 100ft Lake frontage 4 bedrooms large living room oil heat glass porch $10,000 Saint Joseph Michigan 1944
Plot for sale 40 acres Ironwood township $300 1957
Examples of foods and good in local papers:
Chevrolet Various Vehicles (Roadsters, Touring Cars, Utility Coups, Sedans)From $490 to $795 1924 Michigan
Buick Cars with luxurious cars from $1200 to $2000 based in Michigan
Denim jeans 13 1/2 ounzes $2.49 Michigan 1957
Sylvania 21 inch black and white TV $148.95 Michigan 1955
Number of People employed in the state:
5,686,180 people employed in Michigan
Mean annual yearly income:
2005: $45,793
2000: $40,131
1990: $37,238
1980: $34,773
1970: $34,759
Michigan Tourism
Tourism / Places of Interest / Parks:Mackinac Bridge
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Mackinac Island
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
Color Tours
Algonac State Park
Aloha State Park
Baraga State Park
Bewabic State Park
Brimley State Park
Burt Lake State Park
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park
Cheboygan State Park
Clear Lake State Park
Coldwater Lake State Park
Craig Lake State Park
Duck Lake State Park
Fayette Historic State Park
Fisherman's Island State Park
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
Grand Haven State Park
Grand Mere State Park
Harrisville State Park
Hart-Montague Trail State Park
Hartwick Pines State Park
Hayes State Park
Historic Mill Creek State Park
Hoeft State Park (P.H. Hoeft)
Hoffmaster State Park (P.J. Hoffmaster)
Holland State Park
Indian Lake State Park
Interlochen State Park
Kal-Haven Trail State Park
Lake Gogebic State Park
Lakelands Trail State Park
Lakeport State Park
Leelanau State Park
Ludington State Park
Mackinac Island State Park and Fort Mackinac Historic Park
Maybury State Park
McLain State Park (F.J. McLain)
Mears State Park
Meridian-Baseline State Park
Mitchell State Park
Muskallonge Lake State Park
Muskegon State Park
Negwegon State Park
Newaygo State Park
North Higgins Lake State Park
Onaway State Park
Orchard Beach State Park
Otsego Lake State Park
Palms Book State Park
Petoskey State Park
Porcupine Mountains State Park
Port Crescent State Park
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Seven Lakes State Park
Silver Lake State Park
Sleeper State Park
Sleepy Hollow State Park
South Higgins Lake State Park
Sterling State Park
Straits State Park
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tawas Point State Park
Thompson's Harbor State Park
Traverse City State Park
Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor
Twin Lakes State Park
Van Buren State Park
Van Buren Trail State Park
Van Riper State Park
Warren Dunes State Park
Warren Woods State Park
Wells State Park
White Pine Trail State Park Wilderness State Park
Wilson State Park
Young State Park
Old News Stories Involving Michigan
This Day in History Stories:April 20, 1909 - Detroit becomes the first city to build a concrete highway. As the city was quickly become the country’s automobile capital, everybody wanted better roads to drive along. As a result, the Wayne County Road Commission completed the first section of concrete highway between Six Mile Road and Seven Mile Road along Woodward Avenue.
January 13, 1913-Work Day Pay Doubled
Henry Ford doubled the work day pay to $5.00. This step helped strengthen the work force and also helped ensure that more people could purchase Ford automobiles.
January 15, 1919-First All-Woman Jury Scheduled to Determine Intoxication Case
For the first time ever in Michigan an all-woman jury was appointed. This decision was made after an all-male jury could not determine the verdict of a man charged with intoxication.
This trial took place around the time when the Prohibition Era-the outlawing of the sale of alcohol-started. The state of Michigan ratified the passing of the 18th Amendment of the Constitution just approximately weeks prior (January 2nd, 1919).
This law prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation, importation, and exportation of liquor. This new constitutional amendment along with the Volstead Act which prohibited the possession of alcohol was the fuel for cases such as the above-mentioned intoxication one.
January 1, 1926-Benton Harbor,
Matilta Domingo, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Domingo, was shot and killed on this day. The weapon (a revolver) was hidden in the home and Matilta’s ten-year old uncle was the one who accidentally pulled the trigger after he found the gun hidden in the cushions of a couch.
December 5, 1933
On this date, Michigan Ratified the 20th Amendment. This is the change of the U.S. Constitutions that specified the ending date of a presidential term as January 20th.
September 23, 1934-Detroit Lions Plays First NFL Game
On this date, the Detroit Lions plays its first NFL game. This team was formerly called the Spartans and was located in Ohio before it had moved to Michigan (Detroit).
November 5, 1935-St. Joseph,
Ray Adler of St. Joseph, Michigan Scored a perfect game-a score of 300. He was part of a major league bowling team.
October 8, 1935-Benton Harbor,
This is the date of the finger painting show that fascinated hundreds of people. Numerous adults and children came to the Benton Harbor High School to witness this finger painting presentation and lesson. People from all walks of life have benefited from this experience.
--Chicago to Grand Rapids train car derailed while passing through the St. Joseph’s water plant area the night before. Several of the 249 passengers on board were headed for the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Michigan area.
The cause of the derailment was most likely due to the snowstorm that took place during this time. Fortunately no one was injured, but the train was delayed for about three hours. People were kept warm on the train because the steam heating system was left on.
--In Lansing, Michigan Rep. Harry J. Phillips (Michigan mental probe) was fired by Don R. Pears on this day. This discharge took place after Phillips was called in by Coldwater State Home and Training School. He was charged on counts of patient abuse/brutality.
August 2, 1965-New Buffalo,
This accident actually occurred the night before this date, but was reported in the paper on this date (August 2, 1965). A car hit the camper van, which was headed down the slippery (no pun intended) Water Street Three of the passengers were seriously injured and two of the passengers were morally injured.
February 2, 1936 - Ty Cobb is one of the first players chosen to be inducted into the new Baseball Hall of Fame. He played much of his career with the Detroit Tigers and is considered by many to be one of the greatest figures to ever play the game. Nicknamed “The Georgia Peach,” Ty Cobb set many records that still stand today during his 24 years as a player.
September 1, 1971-Benton Harbor,
Two new graduates of Benton Harbor High School and Western Michigan University were hired on as YWCA staff. Sandra Holmes has become special service director and Pearlene White has become outreach director. They were both assigned to work at the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area branch.
August 9th, 1974-Carter Takes Nixon’s Place
President Jimmy Carter from Grand Rapids, Michigan becomes the 38th president of the United States on this date. He replaced Richard Nixon after he was determined as being involved in the Watergate Scandal. During his first year in office Carter pardoned Nixon.
December 23, 1978-Drinking Age Raised
ON this date Michigan became one of the states that had raised its drinking age to 21. The main reason why is because this state was concerned about high school students drinking and driving.
August 11, 1983-Wakefield,
The Wakefield Chamber of Commerce has approved the creation of a new welcome sign for Wakefield. Profits from an event called the Old Timer’s Tournament were designated to fund this project.
1987
During this year the state of Michigan is 150 years old. This state was originally admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837 (26th of the current 50 states).
January 1, 2003-First Female Governor
Jennifer Mulhern Granholm was chosen as Michigan’s 47th state governor. She was re-elected again on November 7, 2006. She succeeded Republican John Engler.
