Madison Area in Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home
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President Gerald R. Ford
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021
1. Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home Marker Side
Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home
Gerald R. Ford, the thirty-eighth president of the U.S., lived here from age 8 to 17 (1921-1930). Of all his boyhood homes, Ford remembered this one most vividly. In his autobiography, Ford recalled that he and his friends used the garage behind the house as a social club. We learned to play penny-ante poker . . . it was a great hideaway because my parents wouldnt climb the ladder to get to the second floor--or so I thought. Ford served Grand Rapids in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1949-1973.
President Gerald R. Ford
In 1973 President Richard M. Nixon nominated Congressman Gerald R. Ford vice president. He was confirmed by a vote of the House and Senate. Upon Nixons resignation in 1974 because of Watergate, Ford ascended to the presidency. At his inauguration Ford said, My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. Ford ran for reelection in 1976, and was narrowly defeated by Jimmy Carter.
Erected 1995 by Bureau of Michigan History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S648.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics
this page online
Location. 42° 57.034′ N, 85° 39.252′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in the Madison Area. It is on Union Avenue Southeast 0.1 miles north of Thomas Street Southeast, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 649 Union Ave, Grand Rapids MI 49503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Andrew's Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); May House (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Castle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Voigt House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bishop Frederic Baraga (approx. 0.8 miles away); Catholic Central High School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Saint Andrew School Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Cantonment Anderson (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places
President Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Boyhood Home was added to the NRHP on February
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021
2. President Gerald R. Ford Marker Side
— Submitted July 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2025
3. Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home / President Gerald R. Ford Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021
4. Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home / President Gerald R. Ford Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2025
5. Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home / President Gerald R. Ford Marker
The marker is visible on the left of the photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,086 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 5. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
