LOCAL > HISTORY
A SNAPSHOT OF OUR
CAPITAL CITY
1847-2019
LANSING TIMELINE 1837 - Michigan becomes the 26th state in the union. 1847 - Lansing, then known as Michigan, becomes the capital of Michigan. 1848 - Michigan, Michigan is renamed Lansing by the Michigan Legislature. The name is derived from Lansing, Michigan, a town in New York named for John Lansing Jr., a significant New York statesman. Also, the Michigan Legislature meets in Lansing for the first time. 1855 - Michigan State University is founded as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, becoming the first land grant university in the United States. Also, the Industrial School for Boys, also known as the Boys Reform School, is created by the legislature. 1859 - Lansing is incorporated as a city. 1872 - Construction of the new Michigan State Capitol begins. 1874 - The new Lansing High School - later known as Old Central - opens. 1879 - The new Michigan State Capitol Building is dedicated in Lansing; the structure cost $1,510,130. 1880 - The Michigan School for the Blind opens in north Lansing. 1882 - The old wooden Capitol burns. 1896 - A group of local women form the Women’s Hospital Association, the organization that will go on to found Sparrow Hospital. 1897 - The Olds Motor Company is formed in Lansing. 1904 - Lansing’s Carnegie Library opens. Today the library building is a part of Lansing Community College. 1905 - The REO Motor Car Company is established in Lansing by Ransom Olds. 1907 - East Lansing is incorporated as a city. 1912 - Sparrow Hospital opens. 1928 - Eastern High School opens. 1934 - The Kern’s Hotel in downtown Lansing burns. It remains Lansing’s deadliest fire. 1937 - Pope Pius XI forms the Lansing Catholic Diocese. Also, Knapp’s Department Store opens its new building in downtown Lansing. 1943 - Lansing Sexton High School opens. The Spartan Sculpture on MSU’s campus is dedicated. 1951 - The Michigan State Football team wins the national championship. 1952 - The Michigan State Football team wins the national championship. 1955 - The Michigan State Football team wins the national championship. 1957 - Lansing Community College is founded. Also, the Michigan State Football team wins another national championship. 1959 - The present Lansing City Hall opens as a part of Lansing’s centennial celebrations. 1960 - Lansing’s population tops 100,000 for the first time. 1965 - The Michigan State Football team wins the national championship. 1966 - The Michigan State Football team wins another national championship. 1969 - The current Lansing Everett High School opens.
12 BeLocal
2020
