On Wealthy Street, 0.1 miles west of Lakeside Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In the 1880s the Grand Rapids Street
Railway Company began developing a
trolley park at the end of its line at
Reeds Lake. In 1886 a Grand Rapids
newspaper held a naming contest for
the park. A half-dozen judges selected
the winning name, . . . — — Map (db m240637) HM
On Fountain Street, 0.1 miles east of Prospect Avenue, on the left when traveling east.
In honor of the loyal service
of the 6th, 7th and 10th Regiments
Michigan Cavalry Volunteers
1862-1864
Battery K 13th Battery
Camp Kellogg and Camp Lee
were located within
the present boundary limits of
Bridge, Union, Lyon and . . . — — Map (db m242048) HM WM
On Maple Street near Sheldon Boulevard, on the left when traveling west.
Father Frederic Baraga established the Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the west side of the Grand River in 1833 and began Catholic education in Grand Rapids. During his seventeen months there, some thirty Odawa children and about a . . . — — Map (db m240460) HM
On Fulton Street at Sheldon Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Fulton Street.
On November 8, 1833, four years before Michigan became a state, three commissioners appointed by Territorial Governor George B. Porter designated this square as the seat of justice for Kent County. Five years later, with its population grown to . . . — — Map (db m242109) HM
On Butterworth Street, 0.1 miles west of Front Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
The first Catholic Church in the Grand River Valley, St. Mary's Indian Mission at the Grand River Rapids, was dedicated just a few yards west of this spot by missionary Father Frederic Baraga on April 20, 1834. Baraga (1797-1858) had come here in . . . — — Map (db m243435) HM
Near Bridge Street at Scribner Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
This tablet marks the site of the first Baptist mission station for the Ottawa Indians on Grand River established in 1827 conducted by Rev. Leonard Slater under the auspices of the American Baptist Missionary Union — — Map (db m240644) HM
Near Bridge Street at Scribner Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
On this site for 114 years stood the historic German-English schoolhouse. Built in 1868 by the German-English School Association, the structure was used as a school and meeting house for the pioneer German families of Grand Rapids. In 1880 it was . . . — — Map (db m240641) HM
Near Library Street NE at East Park Place NE, on the right when traveling west.
This plaque is issued by the Historical Society of Michigan in recognition of Grand Rapids Public Library founded in 1871 for more than 150 years of continuous operation in service to the people of Michigan and for contributing to the growth and . . . — — Map (db m241340) HM
On Fountain Street near Bostwick Avenue, on the left when traveling east.
Claytor was an educator, civil rights activist and the first African American President of the Grand Rapids YWCA and the national YWCA.
Born Helen Jackson in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she moved to Grand Rapids in 1943 and married Dr. Robert . . . — — Map (db m242361) HM
On Ottawa Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Michigan Street, on the right when traveling south.
"La Grande Vitesse," the bright red stabile created for Grand Rapids by renowned artist and sculptor Alexander Calder, is a distinctive downtown landmark. Weighing 42 tons and standing four stories high, the steel abstraction was named "La Grande . . . — — Map (db m241509) HM
Near Riverside Park Drive, 0.1 miles west of Monroe Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Between 1884 and 1903, when three of its spans were swept away by a Grand River flood, a wooden bridge connected Comstock Park with the City of Grand Rapids. A year later, on the same location, a wrought iron truss bridge was built at a cost of . . . — — Map (db m242565) HM
On Maple Street near Sheldon Boulevard, on the left when traveling west.
In the fall of 1872, ground was broken on the corner of Sheldon and Maple for a new three-story brick school building in the Second Empire style. In September of 1873, the Sisters of Mercy, a community founded in Ireland, left their convent in . . . — — Map (db m240463) HM
On Bridge Street, 0.1 miles west of Broadway Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
During Grand Rapids' growth at the dawn of the 20th century, the west side of the Grand River became home to a large population of Polish and German immigrants. Among those Polish immigrants were Tomasz and Julia Kaicel, parents of Stanley Ketchel . . . — — Map (db m243434) HM
On Pearl Street at Campau Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Pearl Street.
On this site
November 25, 1883
The Salvation Army
commenced operations in
the state of Michigan
serving with heart to God
and hand to man — — Map (db m242884) HM
On Monroe Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Michigan Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Village of Grand Rapids was organized by an act of the Michigan legislature on April 5, 1838. Located on the east side of the Grand River, the village was bounded by Fulton Street on the south, Hatch's Addition on the east, Hastings Street on . . . — — Map (db m242112) HM
On 6th Street Northwest at Monroe Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling east on 6th Street Northwest.
The Massillon Bridge Company of Ohio built this $31,000, four-span bridge for Grand Rapids in 1886. The rust-resistant wrought iron used in its four Pratt trusses accounts for its durability. In 1921 the western truss was shortened when the west . . . — — Map (db m176446) HM
On Orange Avenue Southeast near Cascade Road Southeast, on the right when traveling east.
Established in 1864, the Cascade Christian Church is the oldest of its brotherhood in Kent County. Alfred Stow and his parents, Zebulon and Edytha, who settled in the area in the early 1860s led the efforts to organize the church. The Stows had also . . . — — Map (db m182788) HM
On Thornapple River Drive Southeast at Cascade Road Southeast, on the left when traveling east on Thornapple River Drive Southeast.
Built in 1898, Cascade Township Hall is a rare example of a well-preserved nineteenth century frame town hall. Cascade Township was established on April 3, 1848, when the state legislature set off Ada and Cascade Townships north and south of the . . . — — Map (db m182787) HM
On 44th Street Southwest, 0.5 miles west of Clyde Park Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
The 126th Infantry Regiment has been in active military service since 1855. The regiment began as militia companies in Grand Rapids. They provided the core of the Third Michigan Infantry Regiment, which served in the Civil War. After the war, . . . — — Map (db m199196) HM
On Plainfield Avenue Northeast near Arlington Street, on the right when traveling north.
Barber and Mary Swan Briggs migrated to the Ann Arbor area from New York State in 1834. They moved to a large parcel of land near Grand Rapids in 1850, clearing it for a farm and constructing this house in 1850-52. Their son Edward served in the . . . — — Map (db m202669) HM
On Monroe Avenue Northwest at Caledonia Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on Monroe Avenue Northwest.
Monroe Avenue Water Filtration Plant
During the late nineteenth century, Grand Rapids residents relied on private companies to provide purified drinking water. As the city grew, so did the need for clean water. In 1900 a city-owned facility . . . — — Map (db m176429) HM
On Monroe Avenue Northeast, 0.1 miles north of 3 Mile Road Northeast, on the right when traveling north.
Dedicated to the men and women wounded in all our wars preserving the freedom of the United States
Combat Wounded
My stone is red for the blood they shed. The medal I bear is my country's way to show they care. If I could be seen by all mankind . . . — — Map (db m190049) WM
In April 1886, the Board of Managers of the Michigan Veterans' Facility set aside five acres for a cemetery. The Grand Rapids Post of the Grand Army of the Republic dedicated the cemetery on Memorial Day, May 31, 1886. The original cemetery was . . . — — Map (db m176444) HM
On Monroe Avenue Northeast, 0.1 miles north of 3 Mile Road Northeast, on the right when traveling north.
The Michigan Veterans’ Facility (formerly the Michigan Soldiers’ Home) was authorized by Act 152 of the Public Acts of 1885, which provided for the establishment of a home for disabled Michigan veterans. This act resulted from the efforts of Civil . . . — — Map (db m176445) HM
On Maple Street Southeast east of Sheldon Avenue SE, on the right when traveling east.
Born 1797
Ordained a Priest 1823
Consecrated a Bishop 1853
Died 1868
Proclaimed Venerable 2012
Bishop Frederic Baraga
1797-1868
Born in Slovenia and educated in Vienna, Baraga was ordained to the priesthood in 1823. A . . . — — Map (db m168170) HM
On September 18, 1836, twenty-two persons, under the direction of the Reverend Silas Woodbury of Kalamazoo, founded one of the first Protestant congregations in Grand Rapids. Initially a Presbyterian parish, the church was reorganized under the . . . — — Map (db m99986) HM
On Fountain Street Northeast at Winchester Place Northeast, on the right when traveling east on Fountain Street Northeast.
Fountain Street Baptist Church
In 1869, the Reverends Nathan A. Reed and Isaac Butterfield merged their two churches into the Baptist Church of the City of Grand Rapids. The Reverend Dr. Samuel T. Graves served as pastor until 1885, when he . . . — — Map (db m176448) HM
In 1870, six women who had been meeting for a year to study history, organized Grand Rapids' first Ladies Literary Association. The group was also instrumental in opening the first public library in the city that same year. In 1882 the association . . . — — Map (db m99985) HM
Near Pearl Street Northwest, 0.1 miles west of Monroe Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
One of the most devastating events in Grand Rapids’ history occurred on the morning of July 26, 1883. Two weeks of record-setting rains had raised the Grand River to flood stage. When lumbermen tried to take advantage of the high water to float . . . — — Map (db m153293) HM
On Monroe Center Street Northwest at Ottawa Avenue Northwest, on the left when traveling east on Monroe Center Street Northwest.
Michigan Centennial Business
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
In Recognition of
Paul Steketee & Sons
Founded in 1862
For more than 100 years of
continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan . . . — — Map (db m176436) HM
On Fulton Street East at Division Avenue North, on the left when traveling east on Fulton Street East.
Roger B. Chaffee
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy
1935-1967
Grand Rapids Native - US Navy Aviator - NASA Astronaut
Roger Chaffee perished during a test of Apollo 1 on 27 January 1967 with crewmates Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Edward . . . — — Map (db m189913) HM
On Lake Drive Southeast near Fitzhugh Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling east.
Boy Scout Troop 15. In 1918, eight years after the Boy Scouts of America incorporated, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church chartered Boy Scout Troop 15 with a membership of twenty-six boys. The troop number changed to 215 in the 1940s. Among . . . — — Map (db m176452) HM
On White Pine Lane east of Honeysuckle Lane, on the left when traveling west.
Aquinas had its beginning in 1887 as the Novitiate Normal School of the Dominican Sisters of Marywood. In 1922 it became Marywood College of the Sacred Heart. When the college was moved downtown in 1931, it became the coeducational Catholic Junior . . . — — Map (db m199193) HM
1906-1908 Construction years--under the direction of Edward Lowe and Susan Blodgett Lowe
1908-1938 Residence of the Lowe Family
1939-1945 Administration/classroom building of the University of Grand Rapids
1945- . . . — — Map (db m199195) HM
On Fulton Street East at Alten Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling west on Fulton Street East.
Mathias Alten Home & Studio
Grand Rapids painter Mathias Joseph Alten and his wife, Bertha, bought this house in 1914. Built in 1907, it was Alten's home and, from 1930 to 1938, his studio. Alten, who emigrated from Germany to Grand Rapids . . . — — Map (db m176453) HM
On Elderberry Lane at Wege Way on Elderberry Lane.
Shrine
Of
Our Lady
War Dead Memorial
Planned, Funded and Erected By
Aquinas College Students
1948-1953
In Memory Of
Stephen Paul Hansknecht
Class of 1983
Presented by His Hamily — — Map (db m176474) WM
On Madison Avenue Southeast at Alger Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south on Madison Avenue Southeast.
Leonard Benjamins (1840-1902) emigrated from the Netherlands with his family in 1847, settling in the Grand Rapids area. In 1868 he started a clothing business that operated for thirty years. Around 1886, he constructed this stately Queen Anne house . . . — — Map (db m176449) HM
Side A The first Central High School opened in a stone building three blocks to the west. The state legislature instituted high school grading in 1859, and the first Central High School graduation was held in 1862. Two successively larger . . . — — Map (db m99990) HM
Side A Central Reformed Church was formed on April 23, 1918, by the merger of the first two Reformed churches in the Grand Rapids area: the First Reformed, an English-speaking church organized in 1840; and the Second Reformed, a . . . — — Map (db m99981) HM
Built between 1865 and 1870 by James and Hannah Gallup, this Victorian style villa is one of the oldest homes in the Heritage Hill Historic District. Gallup and his family lived here until 1896. The house was later owned by several prominent Grand . . . — — Map (db m99991) HM
Designed by local architect William G. Robinson, this castle-like edifice was constructed in 1884-86 for Colonel E. Crofton Fox and his brother Charles. Built of granite block imported from Scotland, this house is a fine example of Chateauesque . . . — — Map (db m99984) HM
This elegant and perfectly preserved Victorian mansion was built for Carl G. A. Voigt in 1895. Voigt came to Grand Rapids in 1870 and ran a mill and dry goods store with W. G. Herpolsheimer. In 1902, when the partnership ended, Voigt took over the . . . — — Map (db m99983) HM
On Union Avenue Southeast, 0.1 miles north of Thomas Street Southeast, on the left when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m176451) HM
On Prince Street Southeast at Prince Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north on Prince Street Southeast.
On August 5, 1852, Father Charles Louis DeCeuninck purchased ten acres of land for the formation of Saint Andrew’s Cemetery. The land was deeded to Bishop Lefevere on December 7, 1852. It was the first permanent Catholic cemetery in Grand Rapids. . . . — — Map (db m176450) HM
Near Lyon Street Northwest, 0.1 miles west of Monroe Avenue Northwest.
Grand Rapids is a city divided by the Grand River. In its earliest days, settlers crossed the river in small boats or canoes, or on frozen ice during the winter and temporary foot bridges in the summer. The need to tie the city together led to . . . — — Map (db m153292) HM
On Monroe Avenue Northwest, 0.1 miles south of Michigan Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north.
Reverend Parks was the first African American to be elected mayor of Grand Rapids.
Born in Lyles Station, Indiana, Parks moved to Grand Rapids in 1966 to become pastor of First Community AME Church. In February of 1968, Parks was elected and . . . — — Map (db m242111) HM
On Michigan Street Northwest (Bridge Street NW), 0.1 miles west of Monroe Avenue Northwest, on the left when traveling west.
The Grand, Michigan’s longest river, rises from a spring-fed pond near Jackson and flows 270 miles westward before emptying into Lake Michigan. Formed more than 13,000 years ago by melting glaciers of the last Ice Age, the ancient Grand changed its . . . — — Map (db m153294) HM
On Lyons Street Northwest at Lyons Street Northwest when traveling east on Lyons Street Northwest.
Vandenberg Center. Vandenberg Center encompasses 12.5 acres lying to the northeast of this site. It was part of the land originally registered on September 19, 1831, by Louis Campau, Grand Rapids’s first permanent settler. Campau platted the . . . — — Map (db m232215) HM
On 68th Street Southeast, 0.2 miles west of Madison Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling west.
In 1853, John and Christina Cutler and their ten children came to this area from New York and founded the town of Cutlerville. In 1891 Cutler’s son John Isaac built a three-story brick house. The interior was embellished with hardwood and heated by . . . — — Map (db m176438) HM
On Madison Avenue Southeast near Logan Street SE, on the right when traveling north.
This house was built in 1908-09 for local clothier Meyer S. May and his wife. Sophie Amber. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the house in the prairie style. It was his first major commission in Michigan. May was the son of Abraham May, founder of May and . . . — — Map (db m170291) HM
On Fulton Street West, 0.1 miles east of Mount Vernon Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling east.
This area is dedicated to the Ottawa Indian village site that existed along this riverbank, many centuries before the coming of non-natives in this area. It is the heart of a large native community that continues in this region.
Descendants of the . . . — — Map (db m176510) HM
On Fulton Street West, 0.1 miles east of Mount Vernon Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling east.
Long before contact with Euro-Americans, Native Americans lived near Baw-wa-ting, “the rapids.” Some 2000 years ago Hopewellian Indians built numerous burial mounds in the area. This mound group became known as the Converse Mounds. As early as the . . . — — Map (db m176443) HM
Near Pearl Street Northwest at Scribner Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Bloomer was born in Chicago and raised in Grand Rapids. She became an accomplished dancer and was fashion coordinator for Herpolsheimer's Department Store. On October 15, 1948, she married Gerald R. Ford. Together they had . . . — — Map (db m176431) HM
Beyond these gates is the final resting place of our Nation's 38th President Gerald R. Ford and his wife Elizabeth R. Ford
President of the United States 1974 -1977 Vice President of the United States 1973 - 1974 United States House of . . . — — Map (db m99970) HM
On Front Avenue Northwest at Front Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north on Front Avenue Northwest.
The first cabinet maker in Grand Rapids was William Haldane, who in 1837 set up a shop in his home at the corner of Pearl and Ottawa Sts. During the ensuing decades Grand Rapids attracted increasing numbers of furniture craftsmen. Under able . . . — — Map (db m176435) HM
President of the United States 1974 -1977 Vice President of the United States 1973 - 1974 United States House of Representatives 1949 - 1973 United States Navy 1942 - 1946I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president with your . . . — — Map (db m99968) HM
Near Bridge Street Northwest (Michigan Street NW), 0.1 miles east of Scribner Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling east.
The Grand River’s greatest rampage came on March 24, 1904, when waters rose to 20.4 feet, more than seven feet above flood stage. Warm days and heavy rains had melted winter snow, and ice breaking up in the river created a dam at the Grand Trunk . . . — — Map (db m153295) HM
On Front Avenue Northwest, 0.2 miles east of Mount Vernon Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling east.
Noahquageshik, also referenced as Nawquageezhig and "Chief Noonday," was a very influential Grand river Ottawa Anishinabe (Original People) leader. At the turn of the 19th century, he was one of the Ogemuk (Chiefs) who led bands of the Ottawa . . . — — Map (db m176441) HM
On Front Avenue Northwest, on the left when traveling east.
In 1884 William N. Rowe, Conrad G. Swensberg, M. S. Crosby, and R. M. Lawrence founded the Valley City Milling Company in Grand Rapids. The company, which at first milled flour, expanded to include horse feed in 1893. Incorporated in 1894, it . . . — — Map (db m176442) HM
On Van Buren Avenue Northwest, 0.2 miles north of Walker, on the right when traveling south.
Villa Maria was founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1904 as a haven for destitute young women. Many girls came here seeking shelter from negligent or abusive families; in later years some were referred by social service agencies. Villa . . . — — Map (db m199004) HM
On 28th Street Southeast at Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling east on 28th Street Southeast.
In 1962, grocers Hendrik and Fred Meijer pioneered the combination of two popular retail models, discount department stores and supermarkets, in a single store. At this site, on June 5, they opened an 80,000 square-foot addition to the 20,000 . . . — — Map (db m176426) HM
