Muskegon, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat
of Muskegon County
. The city is located at the southwest corner of Muskegon Township
, but is administratively autonomous.
Muskegon is the greater populated of two principal cities in the Muskegon-Norton Shores
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 172,188 as of 2010. It is further included in the larger Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland Combined Statistical Area (CSA) with a population of 1,321,557.
Muskegon is the largest city on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.
, the city has a total area of 18.0 square miles (46.7 km²), of which, 14.4 square miles (37.2 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) of it (20.37%) is water. The city is adjacent to two bodies of water: Lake Michigan
to the west and Muskegon Lake
to the north. The Muskegon River
empties into Muskegon Lake at the city's northeast end.
of 2000 http://www.city-data.com/city/Muskegon-Michigan.html, there were 40,105 people, 14,569 households, and 8,537 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,794.5 per square mile (1,079.1/km²). There were 15,999 housing units at an average density of 1,114.8 per square mile (430.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.9% White, 31.7% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.69% from other races
, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any origins were 6.4% of the population.
There were 14,569 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.2% were married couples living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,929, and the median income for a family was $32,640. Males had a median income of $29,114 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,283. About 16.8% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
Human occupation of the Muskegon area goes back seven or eight thousand years to the nomadic Paleo-Indian hunters who occupied the area following the retreat of the Wisconsonian glaciations. The Paleo-Indians were succeeded by several stages of woodland Indian
developments, the most notable of whom were the Hopewellian type-tradition, which occupied this area, perhaps two thousand years ago.
During historic times, the Muskegon area was inhabited by various bands of the Ottawa
and Pottawatomi Indian tribes. Perhaps the best remembered of the Indian inhabitants of the area was Ottawa Indian Chief, Pendalouan. A leading participant in the French
-inspired annihilation of the Fox Indians of Illinois
in the 1730s, he and his people lived in the Muskegon vicinity during the 1730s and 1740s, until induced by the French to move the settlement to the Traverse Bay
area in 1742.
"Muskegon" is derived from the Ottawa
Indian term "Masquigon" meaning "marshy river or swamp". The "Masquigon" river was identified on French maps dating from the late seventeenth century, suggesting that French explorers had reached Michigan's western coast by that time.
Father Jacques Marquette
traveled northward through the area on his fateful trip to St. Ignace in 1675 and a party of French soldiers under La Salle's lieutenant, Henry de Tonty, passed through the area in 1679.
The earliest known Euro-American resident of the county was Edward Fitzgerald, a fur trade
r and trapper who first came to the Muskegon area in 1748 and who died here, reportedly being buried in the vicinity of White Lake. Sometime between 1790 and 1800, a French-Canadian trader named Joseph La Framboise
established a fur trading post at the mouth of Duck Lake
. Between 1810 and 1820, several French Canadian fur traders, including Lamar Andie, Jean Baptiste Recollect, and Pierre Constant had established fur trading posts around Muskegon Lake
.
In 1830 Muskegon was an Ottawa
village.
Euro-American settlement of Muskegon began in earnest in 1837, which coincided with the beginning of the exploitation of the area's extensive timber resources. The commencement of the lumber industry in 1837 inaugurated what some regard as the most romantic era in the history of the region.
operates the Muskegon Correctional Facility
in southeastern Muskegon. The prison first opened in 1974.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Muskegon Post Office.
On a side note, many of these schools are noted throughout the state for high school sports. Muskegon High School
ranks first in the state of Michigan, and in the top 15 nationally in all-time football victories, With Muskegon Catholic Central they have been perennial powerhouses in MHSAA football playoffs. Muskegon is a city known for their high school football. Muskegon Heights and Western Michigan Christian rank among the top schools in total boys basketball crowns. Mona Shores has emerged as a regular player in the MHSAA Hockey Final Four.
The City of Muskegon is also served by Muskegon Community College
and Baker College
.
Grand Valley State University
's Muskegon Campus is home to the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
(MAREC) and Annis Water Resources Institute
(AWRI) inside the Lake Michigan Center located in downtown Muskegon.
Western Michigan University
, Ferris State University
, and Grand Valley State University
all operate programs out of the Stevenson Center for Higher Education on the campus of Muskegon Community College
. It is designed so that an undergrad at MCC may transfer to any of the above schools and complete a bachelors and/or masters degree without having to leave Muskegon.
, located in the Manistee National Forest in the town of Twin Lake.
Once a movie house, the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts includes two theatres (the main Frauenthal house and the smaller Beardsley Theatre in the adjoining Hilt Building). It reopened 11 years ago, and runs JAM Theatrical productions, Muskegon Civic Theatre productions, is home of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, is the venue for all Muskegon Community Concert Association events, and used to be home to the now-defunct Cherry County Playhouse.
Muskegon also has one the of founding chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Muskegon also houses a moderate-sized private collection of fine art in the Muskegon Museum of Art.
Muskegon is also home to the progressive rock band "The Red Handed."
Muskegon Bike Time will be held July 15–17, 2011. From the website: Over 35,000 bikes (with 38 states and Canada represented) and 90,000 people visited the lakeshore community of Muskegon, Michigan for the event in 2010.
The Muskegon Motorcycle Club, organized in 1920, host the Hill Climb every other year, an American Motorcycle Association (AMA) sanctioned race.
The Muskegon Film Festival is held in May.
Each August, the Unity Christian Music Festival
takes place at Heritage Landing. In May, Rock the Coast takes place at Michigan's Adventure. Both are organized by Alive on the Lakeshore.
In September, the Michigan Irish Music Festival brings renown Celtic musicians to Heritage Landing on the shore of Muskegon Lake. In addition to music, Irish food, beverages, merchandise and cultural exhibits contribute to the appeal of this event. The Michigan Feis (Irish Dance competition) is affiliated and is held at Muskegon Catholic Central High School.
In early October, the International Buster Keaton Society visit Muskegon to host their annual convention. The event features public showings of Keaton films at the Frauenthal Theater.
Broadway at the Frauenthal
(Fall through Spring), brings big-time Broadway musicals to Muskegon. Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Museum of Art and West Shore Symphony Orchestra. The Muskegon Community Concert Association provides concerts from September through May.
Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegon's lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon County Museum, which details the grand, rich history of Muskegon County, from the Pottawatomi and Ottawa
Native American
tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today. Also includes science and nature exhibits.
The Muskegon Museum of Art deservedly is touted as one of the finest art museums in the Midwest. Among the highlights of its permanent collection is Tornado Over Kansas, by John Steuart Curry
(one of three leading painters, along with Grant Wood
and Thomas Hart Benton
, identified as Regionalists
and known for their canvases celebrating the rural Midwest.)
Muskegon is also the home of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, which features the USS Silversides
, a World War II submarine; the USS LST-393, a World War II amphibious landing ship; and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era United States Coast Guard
cutter.
In addition, Muskegon also berths the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper
a former car ferry that traveled the same route as Lake Express
does today. The boat is in the middle of a long process of being restored to its original form, but in the mean time is open for tours and hosts a museum aboard the vessel with information on both the Milwaukee Clipper, as well as the history of Maritime in Muskegon. Muskegon's entire history surrounds around being a port for commerce or travel, and this is an image the city has embraced.
The Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame exhibits, detailing the area's rich athletic past, are on display at the L.C. Walker Arena.
Camerata Singers, a professional chamber choir, performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Muskegon and other locations in west Michigan.
The Harbor Theater in the lakeside neighborhood is a non profit community theater that shows new Independent, foreign, and classic films. They also host guest speakers presenting films.
Muskegon State Park and Winter Sports Complex with all season Luge run.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
Pere Marquette Beach
The largest free public beach on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Windsurfing, Kite boarding competitions, and professional volleyball tournaments are held here. Its quartz sand beach is a Clean Beaches Counsel certified beach.
Muskegon Lake is a 1st. class Walleye fishery and has many other freshwater species including the Lake Perch. Lake Michigan off Muskegon host large numbers of Coho and Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown trout, Lake Perch and many other game fish.
Sailing and recreational boating are major summer pastimes with many services and marinas in the area for boats of all sizes.
Muskegon Lakeshore Bike Trail—Bike along the shores of Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. There are two trails that consist the Muskegon Bike paths, one runs along the east side of Muskegon and the other along the North side.
Michigan's Adventure
, the largest amusement park in the state, is located in Muskegon County, a few miles north of the city of Muskegon. Michigan's Adventure features a midway with roller coasters, general rides, amusements, and a full water park.
Previous sports teams to play in Muskegon have included:
The Chronicle Seaway Run is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race.
(MATS - "The Shore Line"), which operates nine bus routes, three trolley routes, and a paratransit system
MATS operates the Muskegon Trolley Company. Three routes cover north side, south side, and downtown; each trolley stops at 11 locations, including Hackley and Hume Historic Site, USS Silversides, Muskegon State Park. (Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily; no trips during special events).
Commercial air service is provided by United Airlines
at Muskegon County Airport
(MKG). Other airlines service the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
(GRR) in Grand Rapids
.
Muskegon is the Eastern port of the Lake Express
High Speed Car Ferry that crosses Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
offering three roundtrips a day in the Summer, and two roundtrips in the Fall. There are many bike paths starting to be built around the area.
Several major highways serve the city, including:
U.S. highways
Michigan highways
capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture
, Japan
Hartlepool
, England, UK
Antalya
, Turkey
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Muskegon County
Muskegon County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families residing in the county. The population density was 334 people per square mile . There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of 135 per square mile...
. The city is located at the southwest corner of Muskegon Township
Muskegon Township, Michigan
Muskegon Charter Township is a charter township of Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 17,737 at the 2000 census. The City of Muskegon is at the southwest corner of the township and is administratively autonomous....
, but is administratively autonomous.
Muskegon is the greater populated of two principal cities in the Muskegon-Norton Shores
Norton Shores, Michigan
Norton Shores is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 22,527 at the 2000 census.-Overview:Norton Shores is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 172,188 as of 2010. It is further included in the larger Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland Combined Statistical Area (CSA) with a population of 1,321,557.
Muskegon is the largest city on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.
Geography and climate
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 18.0 square miles (46.7 km²), of which, 14.4 square miles (37.2 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) of it (20.37%) is water. The city is adjacent to two bodies of water: Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
to the west and Muskegon Lake
Muskegon Lake
Muskegon Lake is a fresh-water lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA. Located in the lower peninsula at the mouth of the Muskegon River, Muskegon Lake forms a broad harbor along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, approximately wide by long....
to the north. The Muskegon River
Muskegon River
The Muskegon River is a river in the western portion of the lower peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river has its headwaters in Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. From there it flows mostly southwest to Muskegon, Michigan,...
empties into Muskegon Lake at the city's northeast end.
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 63 | 67 | 80 | 86 | 93 | 98 | 96 | 99 | 95 | 83 | 76 | 64 |
| Norm High °F | 29.8 | 32.5 | 42.5 | 54.6 | 67 | 75.6 | 80 | 78.1 | 70.3 | 58.7 | 45.6 | 34.6 |
| Norm Low °F | 17.1 | 18.3 | 25.4 | 35.1 | 45.1 | 54.2 | 59.8 | 58.8 | 50.7 | 40.6 | 31.8 | 22.6 |
| Rec Low °F | -13 | -19 | -10 | 1 | 22 | 31 | 39 | 36 | 27 | 21 | -14 | -15 |
| Precip (in) | 2.22 | 1.58 | 2.36 | 2.91 | 2.95 | 2.58 | 2.32 | 3.77 | 3.52 | 2.8 | 3.23 | 2.64 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com | ||||||||||||
Geographic features
- Bear Lake
- Mona Lake
- Muskegon LakeMuskegon LakeMuskegon Lake is a fresh-water lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA. Located in the lower peninsula at the mouth of the Muskegon River, Muskegon Lake forms a broad harbor along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, approximately wide by long....
- Lake MichiganLake MichiganLake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000 http://www.city-data.com/city/Muskegon-Michigan.html, there were 40,105 people, 14,569 households, and 8,537 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,794.5 per square mile (1,079.1/km²). There were 15,999 housing units at an average density of 1,114.8 per square mile (430.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.9% White, 31.7% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.69% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any origins were 6.4% of the population.
There were 14,569 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.2% were married couples living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,929, and the median income for a family was $32,640. Males had a median income of $29,114 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,283. About 16.8% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
History
Human occupation of the Muskegon area goes back seven or eight thousand years to the nomadic Paleo-Indian hunters who occupied the area following the retreat of the Wisconsonian glaciations. The Paleo-Indians were succeeded by several stages of woodland Indian
Eastern Woodlands tribes
The Eastern Woodlands was a cultural area of the indigenous people of North America. The Eastern Woodlands extended roughly from the Atlantic Ocean to the eastern Great Plains, and from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf of Mexico, which is now the eastern United States and Canada...
developments, the most notable of whom were the Hopewellian type-tradition, which occupied this area, perhaps two thousand years ago.
During historic times, the Muskegon area was inhabited by various bands of the Ottawa
Ottawa (tribe)
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
and Pottawatomi Indian tribes. Perhaps the best remembered of the Indian inhabitants of the area was Ottawa Indian Chief, Pendalouan. A leading participant in the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-inspired annihilation of the Fox Indians of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in the 1730s, he and his people lived in the Muskegon vicinity during the 1730s and 1740s, until induced by the French to move the settlement to the Traverse Bay
Traverse Bay
Traverse Bay may refer to two bays off Lake Michigan in the U.S. state of Michigan*Grand Traverse Bay*Little Traverse Bay...
area in 1742.
"Muskegon" is derived from the Ottawa
Odawa people
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
Indian term "Masquigon" meaning "marshy river or swamp". The "Masquigon" river was identified on French maps dating from the late seventeenth century, suggesting that French explorers had reached Michigan's western coast by that time.
Father Jacques Marquette
Jacques Marquette
Father Jacques Marquette S.J. , sometimes known as Père Marquette, was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan...
traveled northward through the area on his fateful trip to St. Ignace in 1675 and a party of French soldiers under La Salle's lieutenant, Henry de Tonty, passed through the area in 1679.
The earliest known Euro-American resident of the county was Edward Fitzgerald, a fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
r and trapper who first came to the Muskegon area in 1748 and who died here, reportedly being buried in the vicinity of White Lake. Sometime between 1790 and 1800, a French-Canadian trader named Joseph La Framboise
Madeline La Framboise
Madeline La Framboise , of mixed French and Native American descent, was one of the most successful fur traders in the Northwest Territory. Fur trading was one of the most difficult and dangerous occupations of the time according to historical accounts. She conducted business in the territory that...
established a fur trading post at the mouth of Duck Lake
Duck Lake
-United States:* Duck Lake , a lake in John Muir Wilderness, California* Duck Lake , a lake in Illinois* Duck Lake , a lake in Blue Earth County, Minnesota* Duck Lake , a lake in Allamakee County, Iowa...
. Between 1810 and 1820, several French Canadian fur traders, including Lamar Andie, Jean Baptiste Recollect, and Pierre Constant had established fur trading posts around Muskegon Lake
Muskegon Lake
Muskegon Lake is a fresh-water lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA. Located in the lower peninsula at the mouth of the Muskegon River, Muskegon Lake forms a broad harbor along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, approximately wide by long....
.
In 1830 Muskegon was an Ottawa
Odawa people
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
village.
Euro-American settlement of Muskegon began in earnest in 1837, which coincided with the beginning of the exploitation of the area's extensive timber resources. The commencement of the lumber industry in 1837 inaugurated what some regard as the most romantic era in the history of the region.
Major employers
- Alcoa-Howmet CastingsHowmet CastingsHeadquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Howmet, a division of Alcoa is a world leader in the investment casting of superalloys, aluminum and titanium primarily for jet aircraft and industrial gas turbine engine components...
(Whitehall, MI, formerly Misco) - Aerospace components manufacturing< - L3 Communications (formerly Teledyne) - Armored vehicle manufacturing
- GE Aviation - Muskegon, (formerly Johnson Technology) - Turbine engine components manufacturing
- Kaydon Corp - Precision Bearings
- Consumers Energy - Coal-fired power plant
- Mahle (Formerly Dana (formerly Sealed Power)) - Piston Rings - Aerospace
- BrunswickBrunswick CorporationThe Brunswick Corporation , formerly known as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, is a United States-based corporation that has been involved in manufacturing a wide variety of products since 1845. Brunswick's global headquarters is in the northern Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois...
- Bowling products - West Michigan Steel
- Wesco, inc.WESCO oilWESCO, also known as Westgate Oil Company, is a Michigan oil company that operates gasoline stations throughout West Michigan. It is based in Muskegon, Michigan.-History:...
(Headquarters) - Cannon-Muskegon Corporation - Specialty alloys
- Cole's Foods - Frozen Foods
- Nugent Sand
- Michigan's AdventureMichigan's AdventureMichigan's Adventure is a amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan, about halfway between Muskegon, Michigan and Whitehall, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company since 2001...
- Amusement Park - Reid Supply CompanyReid Supply CompanyReid Supply Company is a global supplier of industrial parts based in Muskegon, Michigan. It has been one of the major employers in the Muskegon region since its founding in 1948...
- Great Lakes Die Cast (formerly Dilesco)
- Anderson Global (Formerly Anderson Pattern)
- Mercy Health Partners - Healthcare
- Century Foundry
- Knoll Inc.
- Port City Group
- Meijer
Shopping
Major shopping districts in the Muskegon area include:- Lakeside: Lakeside is home to the Lake Express, a ferry that crosses Lake Michigan to and from Wisconsin, and currently the center of touristTourismTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
based retail shopping. Lakeside features "wonderful attractions" such as an art galleryArt galleryAn art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
, candy store, and the Harbor movie theaterMovie theaterA movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
. It also features restaurants which give people a feel for the local color and flavor that makes Lakeside a distinct area of the city. The area, together with the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, is considered by many to be the 'spiritual heart' of Muskegon and has long been home to many of the city's leading residents and businesses. Lakeside is home to the Muskegon Recreation Club, the oldest chartered fraternal organization in the State of MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. First chartered in 1902 and still in the same location, it's famous for its perch fries.
- Henry St.: Henry Street from Seminole Rd. to Sherman Blvd. is a corridor and is anchored at Norton Ave. by Meijer and the nearby Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
. The Sherman Blvd. end features a Home Depot and a WalgreensWalgreensWalgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
. Throughout the street are several strip mallStrip mallA strip mall is an open-area shopping center where the stores are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front. Strip malls are typically developed as a unit and have large parking lots in front...
s and chain restaurants.
- Downtown: Formerly the location of the Muskegon Mall, an experiment in 1970s city revitalization which saw the existing downtown infrastructure altered and covered by a glass-and-metal construct. The Muskegon Mall began to fail in the 1990s and was officially shuttered in 2002, and razed in 2004. Today, a major redevelopment effort involving government, business, and citizen interests is in place to restore the downtown portion of the city. At the moment, the downtown area features the beginning of a retail shopping experience and has many restaurants and features two full-service hotels. During warm months, the downtown area also features a large Farmers' Market dedicated to showcasing the best in locally-grown foods, flowers, nursery stock, handicrafts and baked goods. There are also many historic buildings and cultural attractions, including the famed Frauenthal Theatre; Muskegon Museum of Art; the Robert Hunt Sculpture, "Muskegon Rising"; Hackley and Hume Historic Site; and Hackley Library.
- Apple Avenue: Apple Avenue shopping is a shared corridor between the City of Muskegon and Muskegon Township. On the city side, stores such as K-Mart, Family Dollar, and the Muskegon Laundromat provide retail options to residents on the east side of the city. There are also many popular dining options in the nearby area. East of US 31 is one of the area's fastest growing shopping areas, supporting the population growth of the eastern side of the metro area.
- East Sherman Blvd.: Just east of US 31, the area is home to Sam's Club, Wal-Mart and Lowes. East Sherman Blvd. also features a few strip mall developments, a motel, and several chain eateries.
- Harvey St. Corridor: This is a relatively newly developed area in Fruitport Township near the intersection of US 31 and I-96. This has become the main retail area in the county. Highlighted by The Lakes MallThe Lakes MallThe Lakes Mall is an enclosed shopping mall serving the city of Muskegon, Michigan, United States. Opened in 2001, the mall features more than sixty retailers, plus a food court, in of gross leasable area. Anchor stores comprise Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Sears and Younkers...
, it features the typical mix of big box retailers, national chain restaurants (Red Lobster, Logan's, Red Robin, Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, Bob Evans, Perkin's, Brann's, Buffalo Wild Wings) and stores (Kohl's Department Stores, Menards, Best Buy). New to this area is TargetTarget CorporationTarget Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
. Target recently relocated from the East Sherman Blvd. shopping area.
- Wood St. Corridor: This area is filled with many local entrepreneurs and freelance distributors. It is a good place to go to find items you would not find in most stores. It runs from Jackson Hill to the north to Laketon Avenue in the south. Locals commonly refer to the area as the "Woo".
Government and infrastructure
The Michigan Department of CorrectionsMichigan Department of Corrections
The Michigan Department of Corrections oversees prisons and other correctional facilities in the state of Michigan, USA. It has 34 prison facilities, and a Special Alternative Incarceration program, together composing approximately 44,000 prisoners. Another 72,000 probationers and parolees are...
operates the Muskegon Correctional Facility
Muskegon Correctional Facility
Muskegon Correctional Facility is a closed prison of the Michigan Department of Corrections located in southeastern Muskegon, Michigan. The prison opened in 1974. Additional housing units opened since then to accommodate more prisoners....
in southeastern Muskegon. The prison first opened in 1974.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Muskegon Post Office.
Education
Muskegon Public Schools was founded in 1860 and serves students from preschool through 12th grade. Additionally, it runs the Muskegon Museum of Art and the Muskegon Training and Education Center. In addition to Muskegon Public Schools, the anchor district for the city, there are several other public K-12 schools. These include Mona Shores, Reeths-Puffer, North Muskegon, Fruitport, Orchard View, Oakridge, and Muskegon Heights. As well as private K-12 schools: Muskegon Catholic Central, Fruitport Calvary Christian, and Western Michigan Christian.On a side note, many of these schools are noted throughout the state for high school sports. Muskegon High School
Muskegon High School
Muskegon High School is a public high school located in Muskegon, Michigan, and was the first high school in Muskegon County, Michigan.-History:...
ranks first in the state of Michigan, and in the top 15 nationally in all-time football victories, With Muskegon Catholic Central they have been perennial powerhouses in MHSAA football playoffs. Muskegon is a city known for their high school football. Muskegon Heights and Western Michigan Christian rank among the top schools in total boys basketball crowns. Mona Shores has emerged as a regular player in the MHSAA Hockey Final Four.
The City of Muskegon is also served by Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Community College is a community college in Muskegon, Michigan. Providing service to the lakeshore region of West Michigan, MCC is located near the shores of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan...
and Baker College
Baker College
Baker College is a private not-for-profit American college in Michigan, founded in 1911. Its campuses are located throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan....
.
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
's Muskegon Campus is home to the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center is a facility located in Muskegon, Michigan that promotes research, education and business development in alternative and renewable energy technologies.-History and development:...
(MAREC) and Annis Water Resources Institute
Annis Water Resources Institute
The Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute , is located in Muskegon, Michigan at the Lake Michigan Center on Muskegon Lake. The mission of the Institute is to integrate research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources. AWRI is a multidisciplinary research...
(AWRI) inside the Lake Michigan Center located in downtown Muskegon.
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
, Ferris State University
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
, and Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
all operate programs out of the Stevenson Center for Higher Education on the campus of Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Community College is a community college in Muskegon, Michigan. Providing service to the lakeshore region of West Michigan, MCC is located near the shores of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan...
. It is designed so that an undergrad at MCC may transfer to any of the above schools and complete a bachelors and/or masters degree without having to leave Muskegon.
Music and fine arts
Muskegon is home to Blue Lake Fine Arts CampBlue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a Michigan non-profit organization located in the Manistee National Forest that provides summer fine arts camp and international exchange programs in music, art, dance and drama.-Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp:...
, located in the Manistee National Forest in the town of Twin Lake.
Once a movie house, the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts includes two theatres (the main Frauenthal house and the smaller Beardsley Theatre in the adjoining Hilt Building). It reopened 11 years ago, and runs JAM Theatrical productions, Muskegon Civic Theatre productions, is home of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, is the venue for all Muskegon Community Concert Association events, and used to be home to the now-defunct Cherry County Playhouse.
Muskegon also has one the of founding chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Muskegon also houses a moderate-sized private collection of fine art in the Muskegon Museum of Art.
Muskegon is also home to the progressive rock band "The Red Handed."
Festivals
Muskegon Summer Celebration was an eleven-day festival, held during the July 4 holiday every year, that brought national music acts of all backgrounds to the shore of Muskegon Lake at Heritage Landing. Also included was the Muskegon Art Fair, street fair, Village Craft Market, and the carnival rides.Muskegon Bike Time will be held July 15–17, 2011. From the website: Over 35,000 bikes (with 38 states and Canada represented) and 90,000 people visited the lakeshore community of Muskegon, Michigan for the event in 2010.
The Muskegon Motorcycle Club, organized in 1920, host the Hill Climb every other year, an American Motorcycle Association (AMA) sanctioned race.
The Muskegon Film Festival is held in May.
Each August, the Unity Christian Music Festival
Unity Christian Music Festival
Unity Christian Music Festival is a three day Christian music festival held annually during the month of August at Heritage Landing in Muskegon, Michigan....
takes place at Heritage Landing. In May, Rock the Coast takes place at Michigan's Adventure. Both are organized by Alive on the Lakeshore.
In September, the Michigan Irish Music Festival brings renown Celtic musicians to Heritage Landing on the shore of Muskegon Lake. In addition to music, Irish food, beverages, merchandise and cultural exhibits contribute to the appeal of this event. The Michigan Feis (Irish Dance competition) is affiliated and is held at Muskegon Catholic Central High School.
In early October, the International Buster Keaton Society visit Muskegon to host their annual convention. The event features public showings of Keaton films at the Frauenthal Theater.
Museums and theater
Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts
The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts is located in downtown Muskegon in the U.S. state of Michigan.It houses the historic Frauenthal Theater, the Beardsley Theater, Clark-Cannon Gallery, several meeting rooms, and two rehearsal halls....
(Fall through Spring), brings big-time Broadway musicals to Muskegon. Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Museum of Art and West Shore Symphony Orchestra. The Muskegon Community Concert Association provides concerts from September through May.
Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegon's lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon County Museum, which details the grand, rich history of Muskegon County, from the Pottawatomi and Ottawa
Ottawa (tribe)
The Odawa or Ottawa, said to mean "traders," are a Native American and First Nations people. They are one of the Anishinaabeg, related to but distinct from the Ojibwe nation. Their original homelands are located on Manitoulin Island, near the northern shores of Lake Huron, on the Bruce Peninsula in...
Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today. Also includes science and nature exhibits.
The Muskegon Museum of Art deservedly is touted as one of the finest art museums in the Midwest. Among the highlights of its permanent collection is Tornado Over Kansas, by John Steuart Curry
John Steuart Curry
John Steuart Curry was an American painter whose career spanned from 1924 until his death. He was noted for his paintings depicting life in his home state, Kansas...
(one of three leading painters, along with Grant Wood
Grant Wood
Grant DeVolson Wood was an American painter, born four miles east of Anamosa, Iowa. He is best known for his paintings depicting the rural American Midwest, particularly the painting American Gothic, an iconic image of the 20th century.- Life and career :His family moved to Cedar Rapids after his...
and Thomas Hart Benton
Thomas Hart Benton (painter)
Thomas Hart Benton was an American painter and muralist. Along with Grant Wood and John Steuart Curry, he was at the forefront of the Regionalist art movement. His fluid, almost sculpted paintings showed everyday scenes of life in the United States...
, identified as Regionalists
Regionalism (art)
Regionalism is an American realist modern art movement that was popular during the 1930s. The artistic focus was from artists who shunned city life, and rapidly developing technological advances, to create scenes of rural life...
and known for their canvases celebrating the rural Midwest.)
Muskegon is also the home of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, which features the USS Silversides
USS Silversides (SS-236)
USS Silversides is a Gato-class submarine, the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the silversides, a small fish marked with a silvery stripe along each side of its body....
, a World War II submarine; the USS LST-393, a World War II amphibious landing ship; and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
cutter.
In addition, Muskegon also berths the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper
Milwaukee Clipper
The S/S Milwaukee Clipper, also known as S/S Clipper , and formerly as the S/S Juniata, is a mothballed passenger ship and automobile ferry that sailed under two configurations and on two sides of the Great Lakes. The Clipper is the oldest US passenger steamship on the Great Lakes...
a former car ferry that traveled the same route as Lake Express
Lake Express
Lake Express is a high-speed auto and passenger ferry that is in service on a route across Lake Michigan. Lake Express links the cities of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan from late spring to the fall of each year.- Background :...
does today. The boat is in the middle of a long process of being restored to its original form, but in the mean time is open for tours and hosts a museum aboard the vessel with information on both the Milwaukee Clipper, as well as the history of Maritime in Muskegon. Muskegon's entire history surrounds around being a port for commerce or travel, and this is an image the city has embraced.
- Carr-Fles Planetarium, Muskegon
The Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame exhibits, detailing the area's rich athletic past, are on display at the L.C. Walker Arena.
Camerata Singers, a professional chamber choir, performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Muskegon and other locations in west Michigan.
The Harbor Theater in the lakeside neighborhood is a non profit community theater that shows new Independent, foreign, and classic films. They also host guest speakers presenting films.
Outdoor recreation
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
Hoffmaster State Park
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is a state park along Lake Michigan located at the southwest corner of Norton Shores, Michigan in Muskegon County and the northwest corner of Spring Lake Township in Ottawa County. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The park includes of land...
Pere Marquette Beach
Pere Marquette Beach
Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon, Michigan is a park comprising of public beach on Lake Michigan. In 2004 the beach appeared on lists of certified clean beaches published by the National Healthy Beaches Campaign and the Clean Beaches Council....
The largest free public beach on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Windsurfing, Kite boarding competitions, and professional volleyball tournaments are held here. Its quartz sand beach is a Clean Beaches Counsel certified beach.
Muskegon Lake is a 1st. class Walleye fishery and has many other freshwater species including the Lake Perch. Lake Michigan off Muskegon host large numbers of Coho and Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown trout, Lake Perch and many other game fish.
Sailing and recreational boating are major summer pastimes with many services and marinas in the area for boats of all sizes.
Muskegon Lakeshore Bike Trail—Bike along the shores of Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. There are two trails that consist the Muskegon Bike paths, one runs along the east side of Muskegon and the other along the North side.
Michigan's Adventure
Michigan's Adventure
Michigan's Adventure is a amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan, about halfway between Muskegon, Michigan and Whitehall, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company since 2001...
, the largest amusement park in the state, is located in Muskegon County, a few miles north of the city of Muskegon. Michigan's Adventure features a midway with roller coasters, general rides, amusements, and a full water park.
Sports
Muskegon has a long history of involvement in professional and nonprofessional sports.| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Championships |
| Muskegon Lumberjacks Muskegon Lumberjacks The Muskegon Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Muskegon, Michigan.-Facts:-Season-by-Season record:Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses/Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in... |
Ice hockey Ice hockey Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take... |
United States Hockey League United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger... |
L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
|
Previous sports teams to play in Muskegon have included:
| Club | Sport | Played from | League | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon Lumberjacks/Fury (1992–2010) Muskegon Lumberjacks (1992–2010) The Muskegon Lumberjacks was an International Hockey League ice hockey team located in Muskegon, Michigan. After the 2010 season the team folded, and the Evansville IceMen Owner Ron Geary purchased the franchise rights of the former Muskegon Lumberjacks, from the International Hockey League and... |
Hockey Hockey Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:... |
1992–2010 | IHL, UHL United Hockey League The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States... |
L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
| Muskegon Thunder Muskegon Thunder The West Michigan ThunderHawks are a member of the Indoor Football League L The team is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, starting in 2010 the ThunderHawks will play their home games at the DeltaPlex Arena in nearby Walker From their inception in 2007 until 2009, the ThunderHawks were known as the... |
Indoor football | 2007–2009 | IFL Indoor Football League The Indoor Football League began in 1999 as an offshoot of the troubled Professional Indoor Football League. Keary Ecklund, the owner of the Green Bay Bombers and Madison Mad Dogs, left the PIFL after its first, financially-troubled, season to start his own league. Unlike the PIFL, the IFL was an... |
L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
| Michigan Mayhem Michigan Mayhem The Michigan Mayhem was a minor league professional basketball team based in Muskegon, Michigan that competed in the Continental Basketball Association. In the CBA's 2004-05 season the Mayhem finished third in the league's Eastern Conference. The team played its home games at the L.C... |
Basketball Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
2004–2006 | CBA Continental Basketball League The Continental Basketball League is a professional men's basketball minor league in the United States that began play in April of 2010. The league is headquartered in Florida.- History :... |
L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
| Muskegon Lumberjacks (1984–1992) | Hockey Hockey Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:... |
1984–1992 | IHL | L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
| Muskegon Mohawks Muskegon Mohawks The Muskegon Mohawks were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1965 to 1984. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1968.... |
Hockey | 1965–1984 | IHL | L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
| Muskegon Zephyrs Muskegon Zephyrs The Muskegon Zephyrs were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1960 to 1965. Muskegon were Turner Cup champions in 1962. In 1962-63, Zephyrs defenceman Gerry Glaude became the first defenceman in pro hockey history to score 100 points in one... |
Hockey | 1960–1965 | IHL | L.C. Walker Arena L. C. Walker Arena The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon... |
| Muskegon Lassies Muskegon Lassies The Muskegon Lassies were one of the expansion teams of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in , representing Muskegon, Michigan. The team played their home games at Marsh Field.... |
Baseball Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... |
1946–1949 | AAGPBL All-American Girls Professional Baseball League The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:... |
Marsh Field |
The Chronicle Seaway Run is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race.
Media
- Muskegon's leading newspaper is The Muskegon ChronicleMuskegon ChronicleThe Muskegon Chronicle is a daily newspaper in Muskegon, Michigan owned by Booth newspapers. It started publication in the early-to-mid-19th century. In May 2007, the paper celebrated 150 years. Click the Muskegon Chronicle on Mlive.com link below and look for 150 years in right column under...
. The Chronicle is a daily newspaper in Muskegon, Michigan owned by Booth NewspapersBooth NewspapersBooth Newspapers or BoothMichigan, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, owns eight newspapers in the state of Michigan. Founded by George Gough Booth along with his two brothers, Booth Newspapers is presently owned by Advance Publications Booth Newspapers or BoothMichigan, based in Grand Rapids,...
. It started publication in 1857.
- Muskegon is served by several local television channels:
- WMKG-CA 38 is a low-powered television station serving the area. This station features a homey mix of programming such as television bingo and Dial-A-Bargain. The Dial-A-Bargain show includes a host reading menus from various local eateries. Viewers may then call in and purchase certificates for that particular establishment at 50% off the regular price.
- DSETV-97 is the locally run Government-access television (GATV) cable TV channel based out of City Hall Privately ran by Digital Spectrum Enterprises on ComcastComcastComcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
Cable Channel 97. It features Live televised City Hall meetings as well as a long list of locally made television shows showcasing Muskegon. It also is home to Local Sporting events. - MCCTV-98 is Muskegon Community College's television outlet on Comcast Cable Channel 98.
- WWMT-TV 3 (CBS and CW), WOOD-TVWOOD-TVWOOD-TV is the NBC-affiliated television station for Southwestern Michigan licensed to Grand Rapids. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 7 from a transmitter in Middleville near the Barry and Allegan County line. The station can also be seen on Comcast and Charter channel...
8 (NBC), WZZM-TVWZZM-TVWZZM channel 13 is the Western Michigan affiliate television station for the American Broadcasting Company. It's based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, broadcasting at 16.5 kilowatts of power from a tower located in Newaygo County, near Grant...
13 (ABC), WXMI-TV 17 (FOX), WOMS-TV 29 (MNTV), WGVU-TVWGVU-TVWGVU-TV is the Public Broadcasting Service member public television station for West Michigan, broadcasting on channel 35 in Grand Rapids. It operates a full-time satellite, WGVK, channel 52 in Kalamazoo...
35 (PBS), WOTVWOTVWOTV is the ABC-affiliated television station for Southwestern Michigan that is licensed to Battle Creek. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 20 from a transmitter in Orangeville Township. The station can also be seen on Charter and Comcast channel 4. There is a high...
(ABC), WZPXWZPXWZPX-TV is a television station affiliated with the Ion Television network . It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 44 in the Grand Rapids and Lansing / Jackson, Michigan markets...
(ION), and WTLJ-TV 54 (TBN). Green Bay, Milwaukee, South Bend, and Chicago affiliates are also common in the warmer months.
- ComcastComcastComcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
holds the local cable franchise.
- The Muskegon area is also served by several radio stations. WUVS-LPWUVS-LPWUVS-LP is a low power radio station licensed to Muskegon, Michigan....
103.7 is a popular urban (hip-hop/R&B) and gospel station with local programming as well as Sunday religious programming and local-based talk. Another local low-powered FM station is WMMT-LPWMMT-LPWMMT-LP is a radio station broadcasting a Rhythmic Oldies format. Licensed to Muskegon, Michigan, USA. The station is currently owned by Muskegon Training & Education Center ....
106.1, owned by the Muskegon Training and Education Center, which airs an Urban OldiesUrban Adult ContemporaryUrban adult contemporary is the name for a format of radio music, similar to an urban contemporary format. Radio stations using this format usually would not have rap music on their playlists. The format was designed by Barry Mayo when he, Lee S. Simonson and Bill Pearson organized Broadcast...
format dubbed "M-TEC 106 FM, Rock 'n' Soul."
- Local radio talk shows include the Ramona Show on WKBZWKBZWKBZ is a news/talk radio station in Muskegon, Michigan on the frequency of 1090 AM owned by Clear Channel Communications.The current WKBZ is the former WMUS . WMUS began operations in 1947 and became the second radio station serving Muskegon, after the original WKBZ ; it began as a...
1090. On this show the host interviews local small business people. A once-a-week, Friday afternoon show on the same station is called "Talking Muskegon". "Talking Muskegon" is hosted by local celebrity Jon Van Wyke. It features homey conversations about area nightlife, his work life and volunteer activities he is involved with around town. In addition, he talks about conditions backstage at Summer Celebration, his sailboat and the state of the professional hockey team the Muskegon Fury. Usually the show is co-hosted with two of his friends. T - Other local FM stations include 90.3 WBLVWBLVWBLV & WBLU-FM , collectively known as "Blue Lake Public Radio," are two public radio stations in the Grand Rapids / Muskegon, Michigan area, owned by the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.- Sources :**...
-FM (classical/jazz/NPR), 91.7 WMCQ-FM (religious), WLAWWLAWWLAW , known as "The Outlaw", is a radio station located in Newaygo, Michigan, owned by Cumulus Media. It transmits on a frequency of 92.5 Megahertz. Since 2006, the format has been a hybrid of country music and Southern rock....
-FM 92.5 ("outlaw" country), WGVS-FM 95.3 (public radio), WWSNWWSNWQGA is a radio station broadcasting a contemporary hit radio music format. Licensed to Waycross, Georgia, USA, the station serves the Jacksonville area. The station is currently owned by Qantum of Brunswick License Company, LLC and features programing from ABC Radio .-History:The station was...
FM 97.5 (sports), WLCSWLCSWLCS is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to North Muskegon, Michigan, it first began broadcasting under the WFMM call sign....
-FM 98.3 (oldies), WVIBWVIBWVIB is a radio station broadcasting an urban AC format fed via satellite from Cumulus Media Networks...
-FM 100.1 (urban contemporary), WMRRWMRRWMRR is a radio station broadcasting a mainstream rock format. Licensed to Muskegon Heights, Michigan, it first began broadcasting under the WKJR call sign....
-FM 101.7 (classic rock), WSNXWSNXWSNX-FM is a radio station located in Clear Channel Communications' Grand Rapids, Michigan headquarters. The station has a rhythmic-leaning Top 40 format...
-FM 104.5 (top 40, studios in Grand Rapids), WMUSWMUSThis article is about the current WOOD-FM in Muskegon, Michigan. For the station that bore the WOOD-FM call letters from 1962 to 2010, see WSRW-FM....
-FM 106.9 (country), and WMUSWMUSThis article is about the current WOOD-FM in Muskegon, Michigan. For the station that bore the WOOD-FM call letters from 1962 to 2010, see WSRW-FM....
FM 107.9 (adult contemporary). Other local AM stations aside from WKBZ include WGVS 850 (NPR), WKLQ 1490 (sports), and WMHGWMHGWMHG was a radio station in Muskegon, Michigan. It broadcast a MOR/Oldies format. WMHG used ABC Radio Networks' satellite-delivered "Timeless Favorites" format....
-AM 1600 (adult standards). Other area stations can be received from Grand Haven (WGHNWGHNWGHN-FM & WGHN are a pair of radio stations in Grand Haven, Michigan. The FM broadcasts an adult contemporary format and the AM station broadcasts syndicated sports programming from ESPN Radio.-History:...
-FM 92.1, adult contemporary), Grand Rapids (WGRD-FM 97.9), Ludington, Holland, Zeeland (WJQKWJQKWJQK is a contemporary Christian music radio station in Zeeland, Michigan on a frequency of 99.3 MHz.Originally a country music station, its original call letters were WZND , until Lanser Broadcasting purchased the station and changed them to WJQK in January 1987...
-FM 99.3, Christian pop), and Milwaukee.
- Clear Channel CommunicationsClear Channel CommunicationsClear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
is the major radio-station owner in Muskegon, owning WKBZ-AM, WSHZ-FM, WMUS-FM, WMRR-FM and WMHG-AM, as well as WSNX (although WSNX is considered primarily a Grand Rapids station despite being licensed to Muskegon). Citadel BroadcastingCitadel BroadcastingCitadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the country...
owns WODJ-AM, WLAW-FM, WEFG-FM, WLCS-FM and WVIB-FM.
Transportation
Public transportation is provided by the Muskegon Area Transit SystemMuskegon Area Transit System
The Muskegon Area Transit System is a the primary provider of mass transportation in Muskegon County, Michigan. Service is provided from Monday through Saturday along nine routes. The agency's paratransit service is known as GoBus.-Route list:*A: Apple...
(MATS - "The Shore Line"), which operates nine bus routes, three trolley routes, and a paratransit system
MATS operates the Muskegon Trolley Company. Three routes cover north side, south side, and downtown; each trolley stops at 11 locations, including Hackley and Hume Historic Site, USS Silversides, Muskegon State Park. (Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily; no trips during special events).
Commercial air service is provided by United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
at Muskegon County Airport
Muskegon County Airport
Muskegon County Airport is a public airport located four miles south of the city of Muskegon in Norton Shores, Michigan, USA. The airport has two runways. It is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by United Express flying CRJ-200 regional jets to its Chicago-O'Hare hub...
(MKG). Other airlines service the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport is a commercial airport located approximately southeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan in Cascade Township. Originally called Kent County Airport and later Kent County International Airport; in December 1999 the airport was renamed for former resident Gerald R....
(GRR) in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
.
Muskegon is the Eastern port of the Lake Express
Lake Express
Lake Express is a high-speed auto and passenger ferry that is in service on a route across Lake Michigan. Lake Express links the cities of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan from late spring to the fall of each year.- Background :...
High Speed Car Ferry that crosses Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
offering three roundtrips a day in the Summer, and two roundtrips in the Fall. There are many bike paths starting to be built around the area.
Several major highways serve the city, including:
Major roads
Interstates-
I-96Interstate 96Interstate 96 is an intrastate Interstate Highway that is entirely within the US state of Michigan. Its western terminus is at an interchange with US Highway 31 and Business US Highway 31 , on the western boundary of Norton Shores southeast of Muskegon. Its eastern terminus is at I-75 near the...
U.S. highways
-
US 31U.S. Route 31U.S. Route 31 is a long north–south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with its northern terminus at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and southern terminus at the combined U.S. Route 90 & U.S. Route 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama... -
BUS US 31Bannered routes of U.S. Route 31Several bannered routes of U.S. Route 31 exist. In order from south to north they are as follows.-Tennessee:U.S. Route 31A exists between Nashville and Pulaski, Tennessee. From Nashville, the road begins at Union St. in downtown Nashville and runs as 4th & 2nd Avenue South and South Nashville as...
a business loop.
Michigan highways
-
M-46M-46 (Michigan highway)M-46 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan between Muskegon and Port Sanilac, terminating near Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on each end. Except for the north–south segment that corresponds with the US Highway 131 freeway between Cedar Springs and Howard City, M-46 is... -
M-120M-120 (Michigan highway)M-120 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan in the southwest Lower Peninsula. The highway runs northeast from Muskegon to Hesperia. In between, the road passes through suburban Muskegon, forests and farmland...
Sister cities
ŌmutaOmuta, Fukuoka
is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 127,126 and the density of 1,558.87 persons per km²...
capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
Hartlepool
Hartlepool
Hartlepool is a town and port in North East England.It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrian monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from...
, England, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Antalya
Antalya
Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. With a population 1,001,318 as of 2010. It is the eighth most populous city in Turkey and country's biggest international sea resort.- History :...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Noteworthy
- Joseph BeyrleJoseph BeyrleJoseph R. Beyrle is thought to be the only American soldier to have served with both the United States Army and the Soviet Army in World War II. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Beyrle graduated from high school in 1942 with the promise of a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, but enlisted in...
, only soldier to have served in both the US ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and the Soviet ArmySoviet ArmyThe Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
in World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- John BeyrleJohn BeyrleJohn R. Beyrle , a career Foreign Service Officer and specialist in Russian and Eastern European affairs, is currently Ambassador of the United States to the Russian Federation.- Biography :...
, son of Joseph Beyrle, appointed as United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation on May 13, 2008, confirmed July 3, 2008.
- John Beyrle
- David LeestmaDavid LeestmaDavid Cornell Leestma is a former American astronaut.-Personal data:Born May 6, 1949, in Muskegon, Michigan. Married to the former Patti K. Opp of Dallas, Texas. They have six children. He enjoys golfing, tennis, aviation, and fishing. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. Harold F. Leestma, reside in Palm...
, astronaut - Captain Jonathan Walker, "The Man With Branded Hand", abolitionist
- Nancy Anne FlemingNancy FlemingNancy Anne Fleming won the Miss America crown in 1961.A native of Montague, Michigan, Fleming competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Michigan. She competed in Miss Michigan as Miss White Lake....
, Miss AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
1961 - Vonda Kay Van DykeVonda Kay Van DykeVonda Kay Van Dyke was crowned the 1965 Miss America on September 13, 1964. Earlier in the year, she had taken a break as a 21-year-old junior at Arizona State University to become Miss Arizona. She is unique among pageant winners in that she was and still is the only Miss America who was also...
, Miss America 1965 - Harry MorganHarry MorganHarry Morgan is an American actor. Morgan is well-known for his roles as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H , Pete Porter on both Pete and Gladys and December Bride , Detective Bill Gannon on Dragnet , and Amos Coogan on Hec Ramsey...
, Actor in popular M*A*S*H television series. - Frank StantonFrank StantonFrank Nicholas Stanton was an American broadcasting executive who served as the president of CBS between 1946 and 1971 and then vice chairman until 1973. He also served as the chairman of the Rand Corporation from 1961 until 1967.Along with William S. Paley, Stanton is credited with the...
, past president of CBS - Mark Grimmette, American luger
- Earl MorrallEarl MorrallEarl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
, former NFL quarterback - Edmund Szoka, Roman Catholic Cardinal and former President of the Governorate of Vatican City State
- Richard VersalleRichard VersalleRichard Versalle was an American operatic tenor, who had an international career including performances at the Bayreuth Festival and the Vienna State Opera. He died while singing in a performance of The Makropulos Case, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.-Biography:Versalle was born in...
, opera singer - Gwenneth Bean, opera singer
- Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
, punk singer - Carly Jibson, broadway (Hairspray)
- Rocky MarquetteRocky Marquette- Biography :Early LifeRocky Marquette was born in Muskegon, Michigan. He studied at Reeths Puffer High School and then attended college at Grand Valley State University on a Shakespeare scholarship.Film Career...
Actor known for roles in Shallow GroundShallow GroundShallow Ground is a 2004 Horror film written and directed by Sheldon Wilson and starring Timothy V. Murphy, Stan Kirsch, Lindsey Stoddart, Patty McCormack, and Rocky Marquette. A naked teenage boy appears at a soon-to-be abandoned sheriff's station, drenched in blood, on the one-year anniversary...
and Mortuary
Business and politics
- Charles HackleyCharles HackleyCharles Henry Hackley son of Joseph H. Hackley and Salina Fuller Hackley was born in Michigan City, Indiana, January 3, 1837 He was am important figure in the history of Muskegon, Michigan...
(1837–1905), lumber baron, philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
(Hackley Hospital, Hackley Library, Hackley Adminsration Building, Hackley Avenue, Hackley Art Gallery, Hackley Park)- After a gift of $12,000,000 to the community, the city of Muskegon considered changing its name to "Hackleyville"
- Richard MellRichard MellRichard F. "Dick" Mell is an American politician and long-time member of the Chicago City Council. He is a Democrat. Mell is the chairman of the Rules Committee and has a history of feuding with former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley....
, Politician - Louis Carlisle Walker, industrialist, current namesake of L.C. Walker ArenaL. C. Walker ArenaThe L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon...
Religion
- Edmund Cardinal SzokaEdmund Cardinal SzokaEdmund Cardinal Szoka is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President Emeritus of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, having previously served as Bishop of Gaylord from 1971 to 1981 and...
, CardinalCardinal (Catholicism)A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City StatePresident of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City StateThe President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is the leader of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, the legislative body of Vatican City. As a senior member of the Roman Curia, the president is normally a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church... - Jim BakkerJim BakkerJames Orsen "Jim" Bakker is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, and a former host of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program.A sex scandal led to his resignation from the ministry...
, TV Evangelist
Science and technology
- W. Wesley PetersonW. Wesley PetersonWilliam Wesley Peterson was an American mathematician and computer scientist. He was best known for inventing the Cyclic Redundancy Check , for which research he was awarded the Japan Prize in 1999....
, mathematician and computer scientist, best known for inventing the Cyclic Redundancy CheckCyclic redundancy checkA cyclic redundancy check is an error-detecting code commonly used in digital networks and storage devices to detect accidental changes to raw data...
(CRC)
Artists
- Haddon SundblomHaddon SundblomHaddon Hubbard "Sunny" Sundblom was an artist best known for the images of Santa Claus he created for The Coca-Cola Company.-Background:Sundblom was born in Muskegon, Michigan to a Swedish-speaking family...
, Graphic Arts Designer best known for his images of Santa Claus for Coca-Cola.
Authors
- Laurie KellerLaurie KellerLaurie Keller is an American children's book author and illustrator. She has written four books for Henry Holt & Co. Books for Young Readers, and produced illustrations for two others.Keller grew up in Muskegon, Michigan...
, children's book writer and illustrator best known for The Scrambled States of AmericaThe Scrambled States of AmericaThe Scrambled States of America is a children's book by author and illustrator Laurie Keller. Her first book, it was released by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers in 1998, and tells the story about the 50 states of America becoming bored and organizing a party, where the states meet each other,...
and Grandpa Gazillion's Number YardGrandpa Gazillion's Number YardGrandpa Gazillion's Number Yard is the fourth children's book by American author and illustrator Laurie Keller. Released in 2005 by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, it tells, in rhyme, about the numbers 1 through 20 using the character of Grandpa Gazillion, who runs a junkyard full of numbers.... - Douglas Malloch, poet, author of Michigan, My MichiganMichigan, My Michigan"Michigan, My Michigan" is a very popular anthem in the State of Michigan, but it is not an official state song. The only official anthem, a song called "My Michigan", was formally adopted in 1937 – which humourists might say was probably the only time it was ever sung, because everyone thinks the...
- John Frederick NimsJohn Frederick NimsJohn Frederick Nims was an American poet and academic.-Life:He graduated from DePaul University, University of Notre Dame with an M.A., and from the University of Chicago with a Ph.D. in 1945.He published reviews of the works by Robert Lowell and W. S. Merwin...
, poet - Lewis B. SmedesLewis B. SmedesLewis Benedictus Smedes was a renowned Christian author, ethicist, and theologian in the Reformed tradition. He was a professor of theology and ethics for twenty-five years at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California...
, Theologian and Author - Verna Aardema Vugteveen, Children's author, winner of the Caldecott MedalCaldecott MedalThe Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children , a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English...
in 1976. - Bob WoodBob Wood (author)Robert Edward "Bob" Wood is an American author, teacher, activist, and potential candidate for Congress. As a 28 year-old high school history teacher from Kalamazoo, Michigan, , he wrote the 1988 best selling book Dodger Dogs to Fenway Franks...
, author of Dodger Dogs to Fenway FranksDodger Dogs to Fenway FranksDodger Dogs to Fenway Franks: And All the Wieners In Between is a 1988 bestselling book by author Bob Wood. In 1985, the then-28-year-old Wood was a high-school history teacher in Seattle, Washington when he took a trip to all 26 Major League Baseball stadiums in one summer. Wood decided to assign...
and Big Ten CountryBig Ten CountryBig Ten Country - A Journey Through One Football Season was the second book published by author Bob Wood. Released in 1989, the book follows the 1988 Big Ten conference football season by visiting each of the ten universities over ten successive weekends...
.
Music
- Steve GormanSteve GormanSteve Gorman is a musician best known as the drummer of the American hard rock band The Black Crowes. He also spent some time as the drummer for British rock band Stereophonics.- Early career :...
, drummer, Black Crowes, born in Muskegon. - Rick JohnsonRick Johnson (musician)Rick Johnson is an American musician who is best known as the bass player of Grand Rapids, Michigan's Mustard Plug. He also has worked with Bomb The Music Industry! and released solo material as "The Rick Johnson Rock And Roll Machine."-Early life:Rick Johnson grew up on the west side of the...
, musician, bass player for Mustard PlugMustard PlugMustard Plug is a ska punk band from Grand Rapids, Michigan.Formed in 1991, the band's original members were Dave Kirchgessner, Mike McKendrick, Colin Clive, and Anthony Vilchez. Currently the band consists of Dave , Brandon Jenison , Jim Hofer , Nate Cohn , Colin Clive , and Rick Johnson... - Bettye LaVetteBettye LaVetteBettye LaVette is an American soul singer-songwriter who made her first record at sixteen, but achieved only intermittent fame until 2005, with her album, I've Got My Own Hell to Raise...
, soulSoul musicSoul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer - Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
, punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
icon - Wayne StaticWayne StaticWayne Static is an American musician, and the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and programmer for the industrial metal band Static-X. He released his first solo studio album Pighammer on October 4, 2011.- Early life :Static grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago and eventually...
, lead singer and guitarist for industrial metalIndustrial metalIndustrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band, Static-XStatic-XStatic-X is an American industrial metal band from Los Angeles, California. They were formed in 1994. They are signed to Warner Bros. Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Cult of Static, which was released on March 17, 2009....
. - Bill SzymczykBill SzymczykBill Szymczyk is an American music producer and technical engineer best known for working with rock and blues musicians, most notably the Eagles in the 1970s. He produced many top albums and singles of the 1970s, though he retired from the music business by 1990...
, musical producer of the Eagles, The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and others. - Gerry TeiferGerry TeiferGerald Emmett Teifer was a songwriter, music publisher, recording industry executive, and entertainer.-Biography:He was born in Muskegon, Michigan and moved to Chicago, then in 1956 he moved to New York City....
, music publisher, songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, performer - Clarence Zylman, the original Boogie Woogie Bugle BoyBoogie Woogie Bugle Boy"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was a major hit for The Andrews Sisters and an iconic World War II tune. This song can be considered an early jump blues recording...
Stage
- Buster KeatonBuster KeatonJoseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
, comedian and film director; born in Kansas but spent the summers of his childhood in Muskegon with his family as a member of the Muskegon Actors' Colony. As a vaudevillian who traveled constantly in non-summer months, Keaton always regarded Muskegon as his home town. - Harry MorganHarry MorganHarry Morgan is an American actor. Morgan is well-known for his roles as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H , Pete Porter on both Pete and Gladys and December Bride , Detective Bill Gannon on Dragnet , and Amos Coogan on Hec Ramsey...
, actor - Kate ReindersKate ReindersKate Reinders is an American musical theatre actress, who has performed as lead and understudy in several Broadway shows. Reinders was born in Seattle, Washington, but raised in Muskegon, Michigan...
, Broadway actress known for playing the role of GlindaGlindaGlinda is a fictional character in the Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the most powerful sorceress of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country south of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.- Literature :Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
in WickedWicked (musical)Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
and Caroline in Good VibrationsGood Vibrations (musical)Good Vibrations is a Broadway jukebox musical featuring the music of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. It opened February 2, 2005, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and ran for 94 performances before closing on April 24, 2005. The musical follows the tale of three high school friends who want to...
Television
- Harry MorganHarry MorganHarry Morgan is an American actor. Morgan is well-known for his roles as Colonel Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H , Pete Porter on both Pete and Gladys and December Bride , Detective Bill Gannon on Dragnet , and Amos Coogan on Hec Ramsey...
, versatile stage, film and TV actor best remembered as Colonel Potter on the TV series M*A*S*H (1972–1983) - J.D. Ryznar, actor/musician, cast member of Acceptable TV showing on VH1
- Frank StantonFrank StantonFrank Nicholas Stanton was an American broadcasting executive who served as the president of CBS between 1946 and 1971 and then vice chairman until 1973. He also served as the chairman of the Rand Corporation from 1961 until 1967.Along with William S. Paley, Stanton is credited with the...
, Former President of CBS - Ondrei Edwards, ANTM 16 contestant
Sports
- Nate McLouthNate McLouthNathan Richard McLouth is a Major League Baseball player. Primarily a center fielder, McLouth bats from the left side and throws from the right. He is 5' 11" tall and weighs 185 pounds...
- MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player for the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... - Robert MorseRobert MorseRobert Morse is an American actor and singer. Morse is best known for his appearances in musicals and plays on Broadway. He has also acted in movies and television shows. His best known role is that of J. Pierrepont Finch in the 1961 Broadway musical, and 1967 film How to Succeed in Business...
- NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player for the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Justin AbdelkaderJustin AbdelkaderJustin Abdelkader is an American ice hockey forward currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings.-College career:On April 7, 2007 Abdelkader scored the game-winning goal in the 2007 NCAA Championship Game against Boston College, securing the NCAA Division 1 National Championship for Michigan State...
- NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
ice hockey player Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... - Paul DekkerPaul DekkerPaul Nelson Dekker was an American and Canadian football player for the Michigan State Spartans and professionally for the Washington Redskins and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.-College career:...
, Professional football player in the NFL and CFL - Mark Grimmette, Men's double luge, winner of OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
silver (2002) and bronze (1998) medals - Bobby GrichBobby GrichRobert Anthony "Bobby" Grich is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
, MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
All-star second baseman for the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and California Angels - Ruvell MartinRuvell MartinRuvell Martin is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Chargers in 2004. He played college football at Saginaw Valley State....
, NFL player for the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... - Earl MorrallEarl MorrallEarl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
, Former American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and three-time Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
winner - Don NelsonDon NelsonDonald Arvid "Don" Nelson is a former NBA player and head coach. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors....
, NBA Basketball Coach - Ray NewmanRay NewmanRaymond Francis Newman is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in 1971 and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972-1973....
, MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher - Sherman Poppen, inventor of the SnurferSnurferThe Snurfer was the first marketed snowboard. It uses a noboard type of snowboard binding alternative. The Snurfer was created in 1965 by in Muskegon, Michigan. Poppen was outside his house one day sledding with his daughters, when his 11 year old was going down the hill, standing on her old sled....
(aka the first snowboard) - Bennie OosterbaanBennie OosterbaanBenjamin Gaylord "Bennie" Oosterbaan was a three-time first team All-American football end for the Michigan Wolverines football team, two-time All-American basketball player for the basketball team and an All-Big Ten Conference baseball player for the baseball team...
, Three-Time University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
All-American football player and head coach - Bob Zuppke, University of Illinois Football coach
- Ronald Johnson, University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and San Fransisco 49ers Wide Receiver - Terrence Taylor, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
Defensive Tackle - Mark HughesMark Hughes (basketball)Mark Hughes is a retired American basketball player and current coach.He has played collegiately for University of Michigan and was the captain of the 1989 NCAA Championship team...
, Former NCAA basketball player and professional basketball coach - Curtis Adams, Former San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Running Back - Mark Konecny NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets - Trisa HayesTrisa HayesTrisa Hayes Laughlin is an American professional wrestling valet, better known by her ring name, Beulah McGillicutty. She is best known for her appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s...
Beulah McGillicutty, Wrestling Manager in Extreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001... - Tony Ferguson, UFC fighter, Winner of Ultimate FighterUltimate FighterUltimate Fighter - known in Japan as , is a fighting video game developed and published by Culture Brain for the Super NES.An updated version of it titled was later released exclusively in Japan for the same platform on December 11, 1992, which adds a choice of turbo speed levels to increase the...
Season 13
External links
- Muskegon Guide
- Muskegon Chronicle.
- City of Muskegon.
- Muskegon Business Directory.
- Faith Baptist Church of Muskegon.
- Muskegon Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce.
- Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame.
- Muskegon Museum of Art.
- Seven Towns Where Land Is Free; CNBC.com; November 17, 2010