Ferris State University - Ferriscope Yearbook (Big Rapids, MI)

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HISTORY OF BIG RAPIDS, Byiociiewis Since this is to be a short history of ci settlement called Big Rapids, let us begin with the origin of this title. The settlement got its name from a natural rapids in a stretch of the Muskegon River that was to attract settlers. Along its banks grew the city we now celebrate. It is the only Big Rapids in the world. The river knew some twenty-five feet of natural falls within the conhnes of the city proper. This work of nature greatly aided the huge lumber drives originating in this area. The first land grants recorded were in i853 to Robert Mitchell, 32 acres, and to John Parish, 55 acres. These parcels were located South of Mitchell Creek between Michigan Avenue and the river. ln l855, Zera and George French migrated from Craton and were for all practical purposes the real founders as they were in search of permanent homes and not as speculators. The French brothers purchas- ed three 40-acre plots bounded on the south by Mitchell Creek, and lying on both sides of State Street. They laid out a portion of this land into a village plot and it was recorded as Glen Elm in l86O, Zera French that year started the building of a log house, the first house of any kind within the village. The next two gentlemen of import to arrive were Messrs. Warren and Ives. Mr. Ives arrived in i856 with the intent to erect a city. He was soon ioined by Mr. Warren and later a Mr. Leonard. Shortly after Mr. Warren bought the interests of Mr. Leonard, and Warren and Ives united in business. The original holdings of Warren and Ives were some IOO acres of land bounded on the East by the River, the North by Mitchell Creek, and the West near State Street. They purchased the western-most holdings of the French Brothers and immediately set forth to plot the city. ln the year l859, the legislature organized the county of Mecosta and recognized the village of Leonard, as Big Rapids was then called. Settlers began to arrive daily and the growth was assured. The years that followed was a series of misunderstandings and failures to agree by the factions on either side of Mitchell Creek as to the location of the business section ofthe growing village. ln I862, a Mr. Williams erected a hotel in the vacancy of the Fairman Block and this did much to direct the trend. Mr. Ives cleared and plotted Michigan, Warren, Stewart, and Ives Streets to direct growth and in their case donated land for county buildings as well as lots on the corner of Oak and Michigan for a school. Regular mail service was established in l865 with Jesse Shaw as the Hrst Postmaster. In l88O, after the first draft of county officials were elected a bridge was built to span the river. The contract was let to a Mr. Tinkham to build a substantial wood bridge for S3,000. About this date a school was built on the lots donated by Mr. Ives. Miss Mary Fuller was the original presider with some twelve students in attendance. In the year I86O, the first term of Circuit Court was held, Judge Littleiohn presiding. Mr. Edson Fuller opened the first store on the corner of Michigan and Elm Streets. Mr. G. F. Stearns opened the second in' l86O. Mr. Charles Shafer opened the third near where the J. C. Penny Company now stands. The first newspaper was established in April i862 by Mr. Charles Gay. It was called the Mecosta County Pioneer. The Methodist Episcopal church was the first founded here in the year l865. ln l88l, the Northern Hotel was erected. It was 300 feet long and ran from State Street to the alley behind the Citizens Bank. It was the first of its kind in our state at that time. lt is the belief of this writer that the greatest accomplishment ever achieved by the community was the complete change over from lumbering to industry. This is a feat that many early lumbering com- munities could not accomplish. Citizens of Big Rapids not only mastered the change but prospered in its duration. Jack Lewis 5

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