Lansing, Michigan

From Encyclopediak

Lansing, Mich., a prosperous city of Ingham Co., and capital of the state, 85 m. n.w. of Detroit and 64 m. s.e. of Grand Rapids, at the confluence of the Grand and Cedar rivers and on the Pere Marquette, the Michigan Central, the Lake Shore Michigan Southern, the Chicago Grand Trunk and other railroads. A number of interurban electric lines also connect the city with Detroit, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and many other towns and cities of this populous portion of the state. A number of bridges span the rivers at this point. Lansing is situated in a fertile agricultural region and occupies an elevated site on a plateau rising above the level of the rivers. Lansing has an area of nine square miles, with wide and beautifully shaded streets and handsome residences. Capitol Park in the center of the city covers about ten acres. Moore's Park and Riverdrive are attractive resorts. The most noteworthy building is the state capitol, erected in 1873-78, at a cost of 1,500,000. This building also contains the state library. Other important buildings are the city hall, Government Building, Union Depot, Elks Home, Masonic Temple, hotels, theaters, banks and Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. buildings. There are about 30 churches. The educational institutions include the Central High School, several public libraries, a number of business colleges and public and parochial schools. The Michigan State Agricultural College coeducational is located in East Lansing. This is the oldest agricultural college in the United States and was opened in 1857. In connection with the college there is an agricultural experiment station. Lansing is the seat of the Michigan School for the Blind and the Michigan State Industrial School for boys. There is a city hospital. Lansing is extensively engaged in the manufacture of automobiles and gas engines, and has large manufactories of motors, pumping engines, sash, doors, hand trucks, wheelbarrows, brass goods, ornamental lampposts, power-spraying machines, agricultural implements, steel castings, cut glass, engines and boilers, brick and tile, screws, beet sugar, knit goods, flour, stoves, trunks, canned goods, elevators, artificial stone, barrels, steam thrashers, show cases and other products. The first settlement was made in 1837. The site of the place was covered with forests when the seat of government for the state was located here in 1847. A city charter was granted in 1859 and a recharter given in 1893. Population in 1920, U. S. census, 57,327.