Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Mount Pleasant is a city
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
and the county seat of Isabella County. As of the 2000 census
, the city population was 25,946. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 26,675.
Part of the city (with a population of 8,741) is on the Isabella Indian Reservation
, site of the Soaring Eagle Casino
. The city is also home to the main campus of Central Michigan University
.
). Many non-natives soon moved to Mount Pleasant predicting prosperous relations with the natives. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought many new settlers to Mount Pleasant to live on the free land that the government allowed them.
In 1875, a devastating fire started at the Fancher Building on the north corner of Broadway Street and Main Street. It eventually moved east down Broadway, destroying several buildings. Seven years later another fire would damage buildings on the south side of Broadway.
In 1879 the first library appeared in Mt. Pleasant Known as "The Library, Literary, and Musical Association of Mount Pleasant," the first books were the personal book collections of the board members.
In 1890 W.A. Jordan started Mount Pleasant Business College. Expanding in 1892, the school changed its name to Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the beginnings of what is now Central Michigan University
.
On January 3, 1893, the U.S. government opened an Indian boarding school called the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School. It operated for 40 years, closing in 1933. 76 years later, on July 17, 2009, The White Bison Wellbriety Journey for Forgiveness made its stop to the Mount Pleasant community to recognize this part of Mount Pleasant's history. The building now stands abandoned.
In 1928, large quantities of oil were discovered to exist in the Mt. Pleasant area. A farm owned by the Lilly family was the first to strike, producing hundreds of barrels a day. Although oil resources would eventually diminish, their legacy is apparent in the Mt. Pleasant city seal, which bears an image of an oil drill. Mt. Pleasant High School's mascot, the Oiler, is also a reference to the city's long history with oil.
, the city has a total area of 7.8 square miles (20.2 km²), all land. The Chippewa River
runs through the city. Mount Pleasant is located approximately 61 miles (98.2 km) north of Lansing
, Michigan's state capital, along US 127.
of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 8,449 households, and 3,126 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,327.2 per square mile (1,284.3/km²). There were 8,878 housing units at an average density of 1,138.5 per square mile (439.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.12% White, 3.67% African American, 1.54% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 8,449 households out of which 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.9% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 63.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% 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 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 11.5% under the age of 18, 54.1% from 18 to 24, 16.9% from 25 to 44, 10.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,572, and the median income for a family was $43,927. Males had a median income of $32,004 versus $23,869 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,177. About 11.4% of families and 37.2% of the population (student population skews this statistic) were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport
is located 2 mi (3.2 km) northeast of the central business district.
Radio stations:
TV stations:
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and the county seat of Isabella County. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the city population was 25,946. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 26,675.
Part of the city (with a population of 8,741) is on the Isabella Indian Reservation
Isabella Indian Reservation
The Isabella Indian Reservation is the land base of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, located in Isabella County in the central part of the U.S. state of Michigan. There are also some small parcels of off-reservation trust land in Standish Township, Arenac County, near Saginaw Bay, southeast of...
, site of the Soaring Eagle Casino
Soaring Eagle Casino
The Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort is a casino, hotel and entertainment venue owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, located just outside of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. It is considered to be the largest casino in the Midwest...
. The city is also home to the main campus of Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
.
History
White settlers first arrived in what is now Mount Pleasant after the Graduation Act of 1854, allowing white settlers to purchase land from the government at discount rates. The Treaty of 1855 relocated the Native American Ojibwa (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe) from Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River to land in Isabella County (Isabella Indian ReservationIsabella Indian Reservation
The Isabella Indian Reservation is the land base of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, located in Isabella County in the central part of the U.S. state of Michigan. There are also some small parcels of off-reservation trust land in Standish Township, Arenac County, near Saginaw Bay, southeast of...
). Many non-natives soon moved to Mount Pleasant predicting prosperous relations with the natives. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought many new settlers to Mount Pleasant to live on the free land that the government allowed them.
In 1875, a devastating fire started at the Fancher Building on the north corner of Broadway Street and Main Street. It eventually moved east down Broadway, destroying several buildings. Seven years later another fire would damage buildings on the south side of Broadway.
In 1879 the first library appeared in Mt. Pleasant Known as "The Library, Literary, and Musical Association of Mount Pleasant," the first books were the personal book collections of the board members.
In 1890 W.A. Jordan started Mount Pleasant Business College. Expanding in 1892, the school changed its name to Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the beginnings of what is now Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
.
On January 3, 1893, the U.S. government opened an Indian boarding school called the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School. It operated for 40 years, closing in 1933. 76 years later, on July 17, 2009, The White Bison Wellbriety Journey for Forgiveness made its stop to the Mount Pleasant community to recognize this part of Mount Pleasant's history. The building now stands abandoned.
In 1928, large quantities of oil were discovered to exist in the Mt. Pleasant area. A farm owned by the Lilly family was the first to strike, producing hundreds of barrels a day. Although oil resources would eventually diminish, their legacy is apparent in the Mt. Pleasant city seal, which bears an image of an oil drill. Mt. Pleasant High School's mascot, the Oiler, is also a reference to the city's long history with oil.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 7.8 square miles (20.2 km²), all land. The Chippewa River
Chippewa River (Michigan)
The Chippewa River is a stream in the U.S. state of Michigan that runs through the central Lower Peninsula. The Chippewa is a tributary of the Tittabawassee River and is thus part of the Saginaw River drainage basin...
runs through the city. Mount Pleasant is located approximately 61 miles (98.2 km) north of Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, Michigan's state capital, along US 127.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 8,449 households, and 3,126 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,327.2 per square mile (1,284.3/km²). There were 8,878 housing units at an average density of 1,138.5 per square mile (439.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.12% White, 3.67% African American, 1.54% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 8,449 households out of which 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 63.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% 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 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 11.5% under the age of 18, 54.1% from 18 to 24, 16.9% from 25 to 44, 10.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,572, and the median income for a family was $43,927. Males had a median income of $32,004 versus $23,869 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,177. About 11.4% of families and 37.2% of the population (student population skews this statistic) were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
 |
US 127 U.S. Route 127 U.S. Route 127 is a long north–south United States highway in the eastern half of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The northern terminus is at Interstate 75 near Grayling, Michigan... is a major north-south route connecting with Lansing Lansing, Michigan Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan... and Jackson Jackson, Michigan Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534... to the south and with Clare Clare, Michigan Clare is a city in Clare and Isabella counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located primarily in Clare County, the city had a population of 3,173 at the 2000 census.... and Grayling Grayling, Michigan Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams.... on the north. |
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Business US-127 (Mission Street) is a loop route traveling through the heart of the city, connecting with US-127 at either end. |
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M-20 M-20 (Michigan highway) M-20 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that runs from New Era to Midland. It crosses through rural Lower Peninsula forest land between the two ends. The highway serves the college towns of Big Rapids and Mt... continues east to Midland Midland, Michigan Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area.... and Bay City Bay City, Michigan 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 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North... and west toward Big Rapids Big Rapids, Michigan Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,849. It is the county seat of Mecosta County. The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but is politically independent.-Geography:... . |
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (Michigan)
Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located two miles northeast of the central business district of Mount Pleasant, a city in Isabella County, Michigan, United States. The airport became active in 1940. It serves general aviation for Mount Pleasant and the...
is located 2 mi (3.2 km) northeast of the central business district.
Education
- Central Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
- Mid Michigan Community CollegeMid Michigan Community CollegeMid Michigan Community College is a two-year public college founded in 1965. The college has three locations including one in Harrison, Michigan and two in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The main campus is in Harrison, MI on of land. It contains the majority of the programs the college offers, and the...
-Mount Pleasant Campus - Mount Pleasant High SchoolMount Pleasant High School (Michigan)Mount Pleasant High School is a public high school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan in the U.S. state of Michigan. It offers college preparatory courses to students in grades 9-12, technical preparatory courses from the Mount Pleasant Area Technical CenterMount Pleasant High School is a public...
- Sacred Heart AcademySacred Heart Academy High School (Mt. Pleasant, Michigan)Sacred Heart Academy High School is a parochial parish, Roman Catholic high school in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. Sacred Heart has a reputation for educating the children of various successful people around town, as well as having a reputation...
Local media
Newspapers:- The Morning Sun (Daily)
- Central Michigan Life (Monday, Wednesday, Friday during academic year. Wednesday only during summer)
Radio stations:
- WMMIWMMIWMMI is an AM radio station located in Shepherd, Michigan. It specializes in news and talk programming from a variety of providers, such as Michigan Radio Network, Michigan Talk Radio Network, Radio America, and Premiere Networks.- Programming :...
(830 AM) - Talk radioTalk radioTalk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live... - WCZY-FMWCZY-FMWCZY-FM is a radio station located in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Playing Adult Hits music, the station has been on the air since 1989.On weekday mornings WCZY airs That Show with Matt and Tina....
(104.3 FM) - Adult Contemporary - WCMUWCMU-FMWCMU-FM is a radio station in the United States, broadcasting at FM 89.5 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The station, owned by Central Michigan University, is a National Public Radio member station, airing a large amount of classical and jazz music along with a variety of other programming...
(89.5 FM) - CMU Public Radio - WMHWWMHWWMHW-FM, "Modern Rock 91.5," is the student-operated college radio station for Central Michigan University, located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The call letters stand for "Wilbur Moore Hall Wireless", a reference to the station's studios being located in Wilbur Moore Hall on the CMU campus...
(91.5 FM) - CMU College Student Radio/Modern Rock - WCEN (94.5 FM) - Country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
- WCFXWCFXWCFX is an FM radio station broadcasting at 6,000 watts in Clare, Michigan. The station primarily serves Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, the home of Central Michigan University, with an Top 40 format as "Today's Best Music, 95-3 CFX." The station has operated with its current calls and format since...
(95.3 FM) - Top 40 - WQOS-LPWQOS-LPWQOS-LP is a radio station licensed to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA. It airs a Classic rock music format. The station is currently owned by Children Saving Children Services....
(98.9 FM) - Classic rockClassic rockClassic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
TV stations:
- WCMUWCMU-TVWCMU-TV, channel 14 is a Public Broadcasting Service member Public television station for much of the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, with a coverage area spanning three television markets and small portions of several others. The network is based at Central Michigan...
(Channel 14) - PBS
Famous residents
- John EnglerJohn EnglerJohn Mathias Engler is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He served as the 46th Governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003....
, Former Michigan Governor - Dan PohlDan PohlDanny Joe Pohl is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.Pohl was born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he was a member of the school's golf team...
, Pro golfer - Kelly Robbins, Pro golfer