Folks who know me, know I dig history. I just like it. So, when I get interesting facts I like to pass them on. Reader Pam B (who is also a peace-nic/artisan type from out Brandon Township way) sent me these Michigan ‘facts.? I put the quotation marks around facts because, well, she’s originally from California, and you can’t take Californians too seriously.
She sent so many facts on Michigan, I couldn’t fit them all in print. However, if you go to our website and click on Don’t Rush Me (on the left side of the screen), I’ll run ’em all.
Pam, thanks.
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Michigan History
Q. What Michigan community grew from 3,589 to 45,615 residents from
1910 – to 1920, leading the nation in growth during that period?
A. Hamtramck
Q. During the lumber boom era, what name was given to the row of
saloons that lined Water Street in Bay City ?
A. Hells? Half Mile
Q. In 1936, what UP city processed 100,000 sq. feet of bird’s eye
maple for use in the English luxury liner, the Queen Mary?
A. Escanaba
Q. When the territory of Michigan was created on Jan. 11, 1805 what
town was selected as it’s capital?
A. Detroit
Q. Bloomfield Hills was first known by what name?
A. Bagley’s Corners
Q. Where is the world’s only marble lighthouse? (Designed by Albert
Kahn)
A. Belle Isle (Livingston Lighthouse)
Q. Utica was originally known by what name?
A. Hog’s Hollow
Q. Approx. how many lakes are in the state?
A. 11,000
Q. The home offices of Life Savers candy, Beech-Nut gum and Squirt
soft drink are in which city?
A. Holland
Q. What coastline has been given the name ‘Graveyard of the Great
Lakes ?? (aka Ghost Coast)
A. Whitefish Point, Lake Superior
Q. In 1870, Detroit telephone customers became the first in the
nation to have what type of reference information assigned to them?
A. Telephone number
Q. On Feb. 4, 1902, what internationally famous aviation pioneer was
born in Detroit ? (His mother was a teacher at Cass Technical High School)
A. Charles A. Lindbergh
Q. On what date did the star & stripes first fly over Michigan soil?
A. July 11, 1796
Q. What ambitious automotive pioneer organized G.M. in Sept. of
1908?
A. William Crapo Durant
Q. What annual license fee (how much) was charged to Michigan auto owners in 1905 to operate their vehicles?
A. Fifty cents
Q. In what year was the first policewoman appointed in Detroit ?
A. 1893
Q. What was the world’s first urban freeway, completed in 1942?
A. The Davison Freeway, Detroit
Q. In 1879, what amount was paid to the Campau family by the city of Detroit for Belle Isle?
A. $200,000
Q. In 1866, what Detroit pharmacist introduced the world’s first carbonated soft drink?
A. James Vernor (Vernor’s ginger ale)
Q. At what Detroit intersection was the world’s first traffic light installed in 1915?
A. Woodward Avenue and Grand Avenue
Q. Who in 1688 founded the first permanent settlement in what later became the state of Michigan?
A. Father Jaques Marquette
Q. In 1954 the world’s first shopping mall opened in what Detroit suburb?
A. Southfield (Northland Mall)
Q. What safety and traffic flow feature was first introduced near Trenton in 1911?
A. Painted center lines

Entertainment
Q. Debuting in 1936 over WWJ in Detroit, what crime fighting adventure series used ‘Flight of the Bumblebee? as it’s theme song?
A. The Green Hornet
Q. The Supremes were originally known by what name?
A. The Primettes
Q. What Detroit-based male singing group was known as The Primes until 1960?
A. The Temptations
Q. Under what name did Motown artist Stevie Wonder originally write ‘My Cherie Amour? in 1966?
A. ‘Oh My Marsha?

Sports/Leisure
Q. Where does Michigan rank internationally in the production of dogsleds?
A. First
Q. What is the nation’s largest indoor/outdoor museum complex?
A. Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

Sceince/Nature
Q. Compared to Chicago , ‘The Windy City,? how does Detroit rank in average wind velocity?
A. The same (10.4 mph)
Q. Arnold F. Wilt, born in Detroit in 1886, revolutionized the cosmetology industry by developing what process?
A. The cold permanent wave
Q. The Michigan state capitol is constructed of what material?
A. Ohio sandstone
Q. What is Michigan ‘s largest fresh-market vegetable crop?
A. Onions

Possible New Slogans For Michigan:
The one that looks like a mitten,! you mor on.
Where used cars from Florida bring top dollar.
No hurricanes here.
The Orange Barrel State .
So close to Canada you can hardly tell the difference.
We know the rules to euchre.
Got fudge?
wo Mystery Spots. No waiting.
Yes, the Porcupines are real mountains.
Soda? We say pop here, buddy.
The Midwestern ‘M? state without a wrestler for governor.
No riots since ?67.
More than just boarded up auto plants.
Casino fever – catch it.
Sandy beaches without severe undertow.
Happiness is a warm pasty.
Imagine an island where horse manure still litters the streets.
Water enough for any drought.
Visit Hell, Paradise, Christmas and Climax.
Birthplace of Meijer Thrifty Acres.
Where Ontario is a shortcut to New York .
Gerald Ford slept here.
It’s called snow. Get used to it.
Where the names of high-toned suburbs needlessly end with ‘e.?
Deer processing available here.
Not as flat as Indiana.
Try eating corn flakes without us.
Hardly any annoying lizards or poisonous snakes.
Big on flannel.
It’s not th e heat. It’s the humidity.
Smoked fish sold here.
Good people with camping trailers.
We moved American history to Dearborn .
No toll roads and proud of it.
Our biggest bridge makes yours look puny.
Nearly went to war with Ohio once and will do it again if they pull any funny stuff.
Land of snow machines and bass boats.
#@?!* mosquitoes.
We know a place where wooden shoes are always in style.
Where lousy teams get new stadiums.
Speed limit back up to 70, so move it.

Got any slogan ideas? E-mail Don at this address: dontrushmedon@charter.net