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Bay City, Michigan
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Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 36,817, with the 2007 census estimate placing the population at 34,026. It is the county seat of Bay County and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North Combined Statistical Area. The city, along with nearby Midland and Saginaw, form the "Tri-Cities" region.
The city is geographically divided by the Saginaw River, and travel between the east and west sides of the city is made possible by four modern drawbridges which allow large ships to easily travel down the river.
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Encyclopedia
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 36,817, with the 2007 census estimate placing the population at 34,026. It is the county seat of Bay County and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North Combined Statistical Area. The city, along with nearby Midland and Saginaw, form the "Tri-Cities" region.
The city is geographically divided by the Saginaw River, and travel between the east and west sides of the city is made possible by four modern drawbridges which allow large ships to easily travel down the river. The city is served by MBS International Airport, located in nearby Freeland, and James Clements Municipal Airport.
History
Bay City was first established in 1837, and was incorporated as a city in 1865. Twenty-five years after Leon Trombley became the first permanent settler to build a log-cabin along the river at what is now Fourth Street, Bay City became the largest community in the county and the location of the county seat of government. Most of the county's agencies and associations are located here. The city shares common borders with Essexville and the townships of Bangor, Frankenlust, Hampton, Merritt, Monitor, and Portsmouth.
Bay City was originally known as "Lower Saginaw," and fell within the boundaries of Saginaw County until Bay County was organized in 1857. It was at this time that the name was changed to Bay City. While Saginaw had the first white settlement in this area in 1819, larger ships had difficulty navigating the shallower water near the Saginaw settlement. Due to this fact, many of the early pioneers moved to Lower Saginaw as it became clear its deeper waters made it a better location for the growth of industry which relied on shipping. By 1860, Lower Saginaw had become a bustling community of about 2,000 people with several mills and many small businesses in operation. In 1865, the village of Bay City was incorporated as a city. Rapid economic growth took place during this time period, with lumbering, milling, and shipbuilding creating many jobs. The early industrialists in the area used the Saginaw River as a convenient means to float lumber to the mills and factories and as a consequence amass large fortunes. Many of the mansions built during this era are registered as historical landmarks by the state and federal government.
In 1873, Charles C. Fitzhugh, Jr., a Bay City pioneer, and his wife, Jane, purchased land and built a home on property bounded by Washington, Saginaw, Ninth and Tenth Streets, which later became the location for City Hall. Fitzhugh dealt on a large scale in wild lands and farms, being an agent for over 25,000 acres (101 km²) of land in Bay County. During this time, Washington Avenue was primarily developed with residential homes. Businesses were concentrated along Water Street near the Saginaw River. As time went on, businesses started to expand along Washington Avenue. In 1891, the Fitzhugh’s sold the land to the City of Bay City for $8,500 "to be used for the erection of a City Hall and offices and for no other purposes whatever."
Until 1905, the City of Bay City was limited to the east bank of the Saginaw River. Previous to that date, the city occupying the west bank of the Saginaw River was a separate city known as West Bay City. The unified Bay City celebrated its centennial in 2005.
During the latter half of the 19th century Bay City was the home of several now-closed industries including many sawmills and shipbuilders. The Defoe Shipbuilding Company, which ceased operations December 31, 1975 built destroyer escorts, guided missile destroyers, and patrol craft for the United States Navy. To maintain this strong Naval heritage, the is working through the Naval Sea Systems Command to bring the USS Edson (DD-946) to Bay City as a museum ship; the Navy is expected to make a decision in the Spring of 2008. Another important part of the city's industrial history is Industrial Brownhoist, which was well-known for its construction of large industrial cranes.
Notable events in city history
In September 1990, The tankship MV Jupiter was unloading gasoline at the Total Petroleum Terminal. A passing cargo ship, the Buffalo, moving at excessive speed, created a wake that caused the Jupiter to break free of its berth. A fire and explosion ensued, and one man was drowned. There was considerable legal action taken, ultimately resulting in an adjudication that was subsequently appealed by the owners of the Buffalo. The findings of the Court of Appeals upheld the original decision, which assigned 50% of the responsibility to the Buffalo (for her excessive speed), 25% to the dock operator (for rotten wood pilings) and 25% to the Jupiter (for improper procedures in unloading her cargo).
On January 13, 2009, Bay City Electric Light and Power, Bay City's wholly owned municipal power company, installed a "limiter" device to restrict the receipt of power to the home of Marvin Schur, a 93-year-old Bay City resident and World War II veteran, likely contributing to Mr. Schur's death from hypothermia in his home a few days later. The power company restricted the home's energy consumption due to Schur's failure to pay an outstanding bill, purported to be in excess of $1,000. On February 4, 2009, it was revealed that Mr. Schur had willed his entire remaining estate, estimated by family members to be in excess of $500,000.00, to Bay Regional Medical Center for the benefit of the hospital and residents of Bay City.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²), of which, 10.4 square miles (27.0 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) of it (8.12%) is water.
Bay City along with Saginaw, and Midland make up the Tri-Cities Area, a sub-region of Flint/Tri-Cities. Sometimes, Bay City can be seen as in the greater Thumb of Michigan Area, which is also a sub-region of the Flint/Tri-Cities.
Major highways
- I-75
- I-75 Business Spur Bay City
- US 10
- US 23
- M-13
M-13 Connector: This short freeway was once a segment of US-23. It is now a connector freeway between I-75 and M-13.- M-15
- M-25
- M-84
Bridges
Four modern bascule bridges allow transportation across the Saginaw River, which separates the East and West sides of Bay City. Lafayette Avenue Bridge, opened in 1938, carries Michigan Route M-13 and Michigan Route M-84 over the river. The Veterans Memorial Bridge, opened in 1957, carries Michigan Route M-25 over the river. Independence Bridge, opened in 1973, carries Truman Parkway over the river, replacing the earlier Belinda Street Bridge (built in 1893). Liberty Bridge, opened in 1990?, connects Vermont Street (on the west side of the river) and Woodside Avenue (on the east side).
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 36,817 people, 15,208 households, and 9,322 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,537.1 per square mile (1,365.5/km²). There were 16,259 housing units at an average density of 1,562.0/sq mi (603.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.19% White, 2.72% Black, 0.74% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.47% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.72% of the population.
There were 15,208 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,425, and the median income for a family was $38,252. Males had a median income of $32,094 versus $21,494 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,550. About 10.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Bay City is well known in Mid-Michigan for its numerous festivals and celebrations which take place during the summer months. Among them are the River Roar, St. Stan's Polish Festival, the Independence Day Fireworks Festival, the Pig Gig Rib Roast, and the River of Time living history reenactment. Many of these events take place along one or more banks of the Saginaw River, often in Wenonah Park on the east bank or the larger Veterans Memorial Park on the west bank.
The Bay County Historical Museum, located on Washington Avenue, is the designated repository for the records of the Patrol Craft Sailors Association and also contains numerous displays on local and regional history. Over the past several years, the museum has expanded significantly. It is housed in the former armory building on Washington Avenue, adjacent to the historic City Hall.
The Scottish band the Bay City Rollers were named after this city based on the results of a dart thrown randomly at a map.
Legend and folklore
It is the contention of many local residents that the fictional lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, was based on an infamous lumberjack Fabian "Saginaw Joe" Fournier, a lumberjack who frequented the Bay City waterfront.
It has been rumored on several occasions that the remains of former Teamsters union president Jimmy Hoffa, who mysteriously disappeared in 1975, is buried somewhere in the Bay City area. In July 2003, acting on a tip from convicted killer Richard Powell, authorities excavated the area beneath a swimming pool in the backyard of a home in the adjacent municipality of Hampton Township. No remains were found.
Education
Schools serving the Bay City area
Bay City Public Schools operates nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools.
Bangor Township Schools operates three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
Essexville Hampton Public Schools operates three elementary schools, one junior high schools, and one high school.
Bay Area Catholic Schools operates four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
- All Saints Central High School
Bay-Arenac Community High School operates a charter alternative secondary school.
Mosaica Education Inc. operates a charter school, , serving grades kindergarten through 8th grade.
Colleges serving the Bay City area
Business districts
- Banks Business District - Runs along Marquette Avenue from Ohio Street north to Harry S. Truman Parkway
- Broadway Avenue Business District - Extending from Lafayette Avenue south to McGraw Avenue
- Columbus Avenue Business District - Home to the Bay City Players
- - Between Madison Avenue and the Saginaw River.
- Johnson Street Business District - Fresh vegetable markets, and home to the best wine in the State of Michigan.
- Lafayette/Salzburg/Kosciuszko Business District - Extends along Salzburg east to Kosciuszko (Lafayette turns into Kosciuszko).
- The Midland Street Historic District - Located on the West side of the city near the banks of the river. Home to very popular bars in the city.
- Industrial Districts - Morton Street, Harrison Street, Woodside Avenue, and the Marquette Industrial Center. Home to companies such as: General Motors Powertrain, SC Johnson & Son, Carbone of America/Ultra Carbon Division, Kerkau Manufacturing, Gougeon, and York Electric
- Bay City Mall area (not located within the city limits, but in the adjoining township of Bangor Township) - Wilder Road at State Street Road. Includes Bay City Mall (JCPenney, Sears, Target, Younkers); other stores in area include Wal-Mart and The Home Depot
- Water Street - home to Michigan's largest antique district
Sites of Interest
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- State Theatre
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- Bay City State Recreation Area
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- Trombley House (oldest existing building in the county)
- Center Avenue Historic District
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Media
The city's main newspaper is the Bay City Times.
Notable Bay City people
- Madonna - singer, actress
- Warren Avis - founder of Avis Rent A Car
- Edmund Arnold - the father of modern news design
- James A. Barcia - U.S. Representative, state representative, and state senator
- Nathan B. Bradley, first mayor of Bay City, U.S. Representative, state senator
- Meade Gougeon - boat builder
- Terry McDermott - 500m speed skating Gold Medalist in the Innsbruck 1964 Winter Olympics.
- Alex Izykowski - 2006 Winter Olympics Bronze Medalist in short track speed skating
- John List - mass murderer
- John McGraw - businessman, co-founder of Wenona, Michigan, now part of Bay City, Cornell University philanthropist
- James Joseph Raby - Rear Admiral, USN
- Robert Rechsteiner (Rick Steiner) and Scott Rechsteiner (Scott Steiner) - professional wrestlers
- Henry W. Sage - businessman, co-founder of Wenona, Michigan, now part of Bay City, Cornell University philanthropist
- Annie Taylor - the first person to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel
- Bob Traxler - U.S. Representative, state representative
- Glenn Wichman - computer game designer
- Eric Devendorf - McDonald's All-American basketball recruit from Bay City Central HS, current starter at Syracuse University
- Mark Turmell - video game designer, most notably for NBA Jam
- Bill Hewitt - Chicago Bears 1932-1936, Philadelphia Eagles 1937-1939, Phil-Pitt Steagles, Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Bob Allman- Chicago Bears (1936)(Bay City Central HS)
- Jim Kanicki - Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants 1960-62 (Bay City Central HS)
- Dennis Wirgowski - Boston Patriots 1967-69, Philadelphia Eagles 1970-72 (Bay City Central HS)
- Eric Esch "Butterbean" - Super Heavyweight Champion boxer, kickboxer, and martial artist.
- Ernie Gust - Major League Baseball player
- Marvin Schur - retired pattern-maker, and a veteran of World War II
- Ray Allen Billington - Historian, born in Bay City.
Sister cities
External links
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