Stretching 265 miles, the majestic Grand River is Michigan's longest
waterway, and it was once considered one of the Midwest's most
important.
The river starts as a trickle just south of Jackson and gains power as
it surges toward Lake Michigan in Grand Haven. Trappers first used the
river to trade with the Native American villages along its banks. Later,
the lumber industry transported logs via the Grand. The river shaped the
towns and cities that grew up along its banks, providing them with
transportation and power for manufacturers, including the once-renowned
Grand Rapids furniture industry. Fertile farmlands have always played an
important role in the history of the Grand River Valley. Today, the
river is used primarily for recreation, including boating, fishing, and,
in Grand Ledge, rock climbing.