BigDaddyData.Com: Michigan Lansing

Lansing, the capital of Michigan, is located at the junction of the Grand, Red Cedar, and Sycamore rivers in the southern part of the state. Lansing has a population of 127,321 (1990 census). In addition to being the seat of state government, the city is a major automobile production center and the commercial focus of a large agricultural area. Michigan State University (1855), the first agricultural college in the United States, is in East Lansing, which adjoins the city. The late-Renaissance-style capitol building, completed in 1878, stands in the center of the city.

Originally named Michigan, the city was settled in 1837 by settlers from New York State; it was renamed for Lansing, N.Y., when it was chosen state capital in 1847. Industrial growth was spurred by the arrival of the railroads in 1871. Ransom E. Olds began the automobile industry there in 1899; by 1904, Lansing was a leader in automobile production.