Downtown in Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2024
1. Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel Marker
Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel began a lifelong friendship and business partnership while still in high school. Their major business venture, Amway Corporation, grew into a global company that helped millions of people own their own businesses.
Van Andel and DeVos combined a rare passion for entrepreneurship with a commitment to sharing success with their hometown. The two sought to bring promise and opportunity to Grand Rapids, beginning with the restoration of the former Pantlind Hotel (now the Amway Grand) in 1981. Several arts, cultural, educational and medical buildings now bear the DeVos and Van Andel names, reflecting the time and money the two businessmen, together with their wives and families, invested in the community.
The JW Marriott Hotel, dedicated September 19, 2007, is the last venture that Van Andel and DeVos embarked on together.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 2007.
Location. 42° 57.979′ N, 85° 40.406′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection
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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: Island #1 (here, next to this marker); The Salvation Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Log Jam of 1883 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rosa Louise Parks (about 400 feet away); Campau's Trading Post (about 400 feet away); Steel Water (about 400 feet away); Arthur H. Vandenberg (about 400 feet away); Love, 1966-1999 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2024
2. Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
