Grand Ledge is known for its natural beauty, including the 60 foot high sandstone ledges that line the banks of the Grand River. In Grand Ledge’s early years, the area’s rich natural resources allowed clay and furniture industries to develop, with the addition of bridges and the railroad making infrastructure for these industries to thrive. In addition, Grand Ledge’s natural beauty was an early source of tourism for Michigan residents.
The first officially recognized inhabitants of the Grand Ledge area were the Native Americans from the Potawatomi, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes, including the famous Chief Okemos. The Native American name for this area translates into English as ‘Big Rocks’. In this area’s wilderness, they hunted boar, deer, fox, turkey, and bear, plus fished for black bass and dug for clams in the river. They also tapped the sugar maple trees to make maple syrup. Because of the proximity of the river, there were plenty of clay and shale deposits in the area, so pottery was practiced here before it was turned into an industry by the European settlers. Early settlers noted that the Native Americans used clay kilns to make clay products.
In the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819, the United States government negotiated with prominent Native American chiefs, resulting in the U.S. government taking possession of most of the land in lower Michigan. In the 1830s and 1840s, early pioneers began to purchase the land that would eventually become Grand Ledge and the surrounding areas. One of the earliest pioneers in the area was Henry Trench, who settled the land that would become the heart of downtown Grand Ledge. Edmund Lamson was also an early settler and owned a large portion of land in the area. Trench, Lamson, and other early settlers decided that since natural beauty was such a large aspect of the area, they would let nature name the town. Because the settlement was located on a ledge above the Grand River, they called the village Grand Ledge. In 1850, they officially named the Post Office Grand Ledge. An early timeline, up to the late 1900s, traces some of the major developments of Grand Ledge that forged the thriving city it has become today.
1830s
Land speculators first purchased land in the area. In 1836, early settlers reached Oneida Township.
1840s
In 1848-49, early settlers John Russell and Abram Smith built a dam on the river, and David Taylor joined them in building a saw mill. Once the saw mill was constructed, more buildings went up, including homes made of lumber rather than logs, stores, churches, and a school.
With the power of the sawmill and the natural resources from the ledges, clay products and furniture were initial sources of industry and income for Grand Ledge.
1850s
In 1853, the first wooden bridge was built across the Grand River.
In about 1859 (exact date is not known), George Loveless started making pottery. It is believed to be Michigan’s first pottery, producing jugs, crocks, and other household goods.
1860s
In 1869, the railroad came to the north side of the village. Also in 1869, the Grand Ledge Independent was founded.
1870s
In 1870, the iron bridge was built, a more permanent structure than the wood bridges that were often damaged by water and ice.
On April 8th, 1871, Grand Ledge was incorporated into a Village by the State.
In 1872, John Burtch saw the potential to use the natural beauty of the river and its islands for recreation and tourism. He founded the Seven Islands Resort, which began with a steam boat and a small hotel.
In 1877, S.M. Hewings bought the resort, added a steamer, plus expanded the hotel and developed spots for recreational activities like swimming, fishing, boating, and more.
1880s
In 1883, the Grand Ledge Chair Company began. This successful company lasted until the early 1980s.
In 1886, Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Company, later known as American Vitrified, was founded.
In 1886, J.S. Mudge bought the Seven Islands Resort and made even more improvements and expansions. At its height of popularity, the resort was the most popular one in lower Michigan, with nearly 70,000 visitors every season. In the early
1900s, as tourists became more mobile and could travel to more destinations, the popularity of the resort decreased and it was eventually dismantled.
In 1887, the Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Western Railroad built the railroad trestle across the river, allowing the railroad to cross the river and proceed to Grand Rapids.
In 1888, Grand Ledge got electric lights. It was the second city in Michigan, after Lansing, to get this new luxury.
1890s
In 1891, Mudge had what is believed to be the state’s first roller coaster built. It started on the second island and ended on the third.
In 1893, Grand Ledge was incorporated as a city.
In 1895, the Spiritualists Association created a campground, which would later become Fitzgerald Park.
1900-10
In 1902, the Crawford Chair Company was founded in a fivestory factory with an eight-story tower. In 1931, this company became the Hoerner Chair Company, and the factory burned down in 1943.
In 1906, Grand Ledge Clay Products was founded. They mainly produced clay conduits for underground telephone wires. Chicago was an important market for this company. In fact, many streets in Chicago still have Grand Ledge tiles underneath them.
1910s
In 1910, a concrete bridge across the river was constructed, allowing two lanes in each direction.
In 1914, Baker Clay Company was founded, which would later become the Grand Ledge Face Brick Company. Grand Ledge brick was used to build the Grand Ledge Library, Grand Ledge Post Office, Grand Ledge City Hall, and Sawdon School.
In 1918, the City bought the Spiritualist campground and renamed it Riverside Park.
In 1915, Bridge Street was paved with bricks.
1920s
In 1923 the American Vitrified plant burned down and in 1924 it was rebuilt, larger than before.
1930s
In 1931, the Crawford Chair Company became the Hoerner Chair Company.
In 1934, Lion’s Head Rock, the most famous and recognized rock formation on the ledges, was damaged by blasting for a new sewer system.
In 1935, Frank D. Fitzgerald, Grand Ledge resident, was elected governor of Michigan.
In 1939, Frank Fitzergerald was elected for his second term as governor, but died shortly into his second term. He was the first Michigan governor to die while serving.
1940s
In 1940, the city of Grand Ledge renamed Riverside Park as Fitzgerald Park in honor of Frank Fitzgerald.
In 1945, the last coal mine in Grand Ledge closed.
In 1947, the Grand Ledge Face Brick Company closed.
1950s
In 1956, Ledges Playhouse was founded. This live theater venue, located in Fitzgerald Park, has seen changes throughout the years, but it is still in existence. Restoration efforts are underway to keep this historic entity alive.
1960s
American Vitrified, formerly Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe, closed in 1966. The land was sold to the city the following year, then later resulted in part of it becoming Ravines Mobile Home Park and part of the land was added to Fitzgerald Park
1970s
In 1975, the land used for Grand Ledge Face Brick Company was sold to Eaton County. The site is now Lincoln Brick Park.
1980s
In 1981, the Grand Ledge Chair Company, in business since 1883, closed its doors. The building for the 1906 plant is now used for residential apartments.
In 1984, the Mapes family donated the Grand Ledge Opera House structure to the Grand Ledge Historical Society. The Opera House was many things in its time, including a roller skating rink, a theater, and a furniture store. The Historical Society and the Chamber of Commerce spearheaded fundraising to restore the historic building, and now it is a wonderful part of the community. Situated on a large patch of land along the Grand River, the Opera House is a picturesque place for weddings, receptions, and other community events.
In 1986, Grand Ledge Clay Products, in business since 1906, closed. Photo courtesy Robert Doty, Grand Ledge Scrapbook Facebook Page
Grand Ledge Today
Older industries made way for the new, and Grand Ledge is an area with manufacturing and economic opportunities. Now a thriving community of just over 8,000 and only 12.7 miles west of downtown Lansing, this community benefits from much of what Lansing has to offer, while still maintaining its own identity. Grand Ledge’s natural beauty draws rock climbers and hikers, plus gives ample space for picnics, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. Other Grand Ledge attractions include the Opera House (a historic building in a picturesque setting), the Ledges Playhouse, Fitzgerald Park, Oak Park, Island Park, the Historical Society Museum, plus many restaurants and shops.
An account from 1880, posted on the Grand Ledge Historical Society website, captures the natural beauty of Grand Ledge: “The principle attraction of the place is its picturesque and beautiful scenery. It is one of those natural parks, of mingled cliff, river and island scenery, so seldom seen, and seems especially designed to win mankind away from the fatigue and cares of everyday life to find in nature’s companionship renewed health and vigor of life.”
The majority of this information comes from the Grand Ledge Historical Society. If you would like more historical details, please visit their website. https://glhistoricalsociety.org/
Sources:
www.davidsiwik.net/about/places/grand-ledge-history/
www.sunfieldhistoricalsociety.com/grand-ledge.html
www.michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu/the-grand-ole-grand-ledge/
www.eatoncounty.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Fitzgerald-Park-4