Michigan History By Jennifer Ploeg

Michigan's statehood story is a very interesting one. The only way the national government would allow Michgan to become a state was for the acting officials to settle the Toledo land strip and the area that is now part of the Upper Peninsula. Michigan was finally admited into the Union on Jaunary 26, 1837.

Due to the diversity of Michigan's natural resources, many different occupations became available to individuals who lived in the state. With the growth of the mining and lumber industries, many new manufacturing jobs developed. Cities such as Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Flint, and Pontiac grew rapidly as a result of these new businesses.

The area surrounding Detroit is full of Michigan history. Detroit was the original capital of Michgan. The capital was moved to Lansing in 1847. One famous location in the area arould Detroit is Wildwood farm. It shows a turn of the century farm and the characteristics of how an individual would live during this period. It is now a part of Canterbury Villagea great historical site.

Native Americans have played a big part in the development of Michigan. Many cities, counties, rivers, and other locations still bear the names given them by the Indian tribes in the area.

Many famous people have lived in the state of michigan. Famous people include President Gerald R. Ford, Sports figures like Ervin "Magic" Johnson, and inventors like Henry Ford.

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Pictures provided by http://michsite.state.mi.us/pictsrch.cfm and http://travel.michigan.org/index.