Michigan Milestones

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America. Currently home to nearly 10 million people, spread out throughout two peninsulas, Michigan is the Great Lakes State – the Mitten of Plenty – the Wolverine State. Michigan’s early business history is centered in industries that benefited from its proximity to the Great Lakes: fishing, lumbering, mining, fur trapping and agriculture. Today, manufacturing remains the state’s top industry—followed by agriculture and tourism. This year, many noted Michigan businesses are celebrating milestone years…here’s a list (please feel free to share others we may have missed).

5 Years (2011)

• CityFlats Hotel – Grand Rapids
• Four Roses Café – Plainwell
• High Five Threads – Traverse City
• Hillside Homestead – Suttons Bay
• Journeyman Distillery – Three Oaks
• Verterra Winery – Leland

10 Years (2006)

• Craftsman Chop Co. – Portage
• New Year’s Eve Celebration at Crooked Tree Art Center – Petoskey
• Pure Michigan
• Sherwood Brewing Company – Shelby Township
• Wolverine State Brewing Company – Ann Arbor

15 Years (2001)

• Escanaba in Da Moonlight
• Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. – Warren

20 Years (1996)

• Arcadia Ales – Battle Creek
• Bay Harbor Golf Club – Bay Harbor
• Cottage & Lakefront Living Show – Grand Rapids
• Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show – Grand Rapids
• Lansing Home & Garden Show – East Lansing
• Mountain Town Station – Mount Pleasant
• New Buffalo Inn & Spa – New Buffalo
• One Trick Pony – Grand Rapids

25 Years (1991)

• Bowers Harbor Vineyards – Traverse City
• Michigander Bicycle Tour
• The Purple Rose Theatre Company – Chelsea

30 Years (1986)

• Bavarian Inn Lodge – Frankenmuth
• Michigan Women’s Golf Association event at Red Run Golf Course – Royal Oak
• The Tower & Grand Lobby @ Grand Traverse Resort and Spa – Acme

35 Years (1981)

• Traverse—Northern Michigan’s Magazine – Traverse City

40 Years (1976)

• Hospitality Programs at Lake Michigan College – Benton Harbor

45 Years (1971)

• Thunder Bay Resort (as Thunder Bay Golf Course) – Hillman (25 years offering Elk Viewing, Sleigh Rides & Gourmet Dinners)

50 Years (1966)

• Gilmore Car Museum – Hickory Corners
• The Heather Golf Course at Boyne Highlands Resort – Harbor Springs
• Ranch Rudolf Resort – Traverse City

55 Years (1961)

• Michigan Lake & Stream Association Annual Conference
• National Morel Mushroom Festival – Boyne City

60 Years (1956)

• Michigan’s Adventure – Muskegon
• Symons General Store – Petoskey

65 Years (1951)

• Ellis Parking Co. – Grand Rapids
• Glen’s Markets – Gaylord

70 Years (1946)

• Barn Theatre – Augusta
• Riverside Pizzeria – Iron River
• Walstrom Marine – Harbor Springs

85 Years (1931)

• Grand Rapids Yacht Club

90 Years (1926)

• America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Detroit
• Howard Miller – Zeeland
• Hudsonville Ice Cream – Holland
• Tahquamenon River Bridge – Chippewa Township
• Vista Theater – Negaunee

95 Years (1921)

• Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra – Kalamazoo
• Michigan Department of Agriculture (& Rural Development) – Lansing
• Julian Winery – Paw Paw

100 Years (1916)

• Golf Association of Michigan – Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship
• National Parks System

105 years (1911)

• Robinette’s Apple Haus & Gift Barn – Grand Rapids
• The Terrace Inn – Bay View (Petoskey)

110 Years (1906)

• Kellogg Company – Battle Creek
• Michigan Sugar Company – Bay City
• Shrine Circus – Detroit

130 Years (1886)

• Stafford’s Bay View Inn – Bay View (Petoskey)

135 Years (1881)

• Groskopf’s Luggage & Gifts – Grand Rapids

140 Years (1876)

• Bissell Inc. – Grand Rapids