East Grand Rapids is a city located in Kent County, Michigan, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,764. It is an affluent suburb of Grand Rapids with an upscale, pedestrian-friendly downtown that borders Reeds Lake.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 km2 (3.4 mi2). 7.6 km2 (2.9 mi2) of it is land and 1.2 km2 (0.5 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 13.82% water.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 10,764 people, 3,835 households, and 3,021 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,418.4/km2 (3,678.0/mi2). There are 3,940 housing units at an average density of 519.2/km2 (1,346.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 96.99% White, 0.98% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,835 households out of which 46.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% are married couples living together, 8.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% are non-families. 18.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.81 and the average family size is 3.23.
In the city the population is spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $84,772, and the median income for a family is $98,967. Males have a median income of $66,528 versus $42,383 for females. The per capita income for the city is $41,388. 2.8% of the population and 1.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.2% of those under the age of 18 and 2.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
East Grand Rapids was first settled in the early 1830s by the Reed Family from New York State. It is one of the oldest suburbs in Kent County. Originally part of Paris Township, residents voted to establish the Village of East Grand Rapids in 1891. The Village was incorporated into a Home Rule City in 1926 when the population was approximately 1,300.
By the 1870s, the Reeds Lake area was a popular summertime day trip destination for the people of Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Picnicking, boating, swimming and spending a leisurely day at the lake and park were enjoyable pastimes. The first lakeside pavilion was seen as early as 1879 on the west shore of Reeds Lake. Here viewers could take in a play or listen to a popular orchestra of the day. Originally, those who wished to reach Reeds Lake would do so by foot, stagecoach or by horse and buggy. In the middle 1870s, horse drawn cars became available. Passengers would board in downtown Grand Rapids, transfer onto the Grand Rapids & Reeds Lake Railway on Sherman Street SE and proceed to the lake down Wealthy Street. By 1877 a steam locomotive replaced the horse cars. Electric streetcars came into use in the early 1890s. Buses replaced them as a mode of transportation in 1935. Interurban also brought residents from nearby cities to Reeds Lake.
Ramona Park is the most-remembered feature of the bygone days of East Grand Rapids. The amusement park, owned and operated by the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company, was a destination spot for thousands of families between 1897 and 1955. It was quite common in those days for a public transportation company to own such parks. They were known as trolley parks, and were placed at the end of the line to attract or encourage use of the public transportation system.
The Ramona Theatre Pavilion sat majestically on the West Side of the Park on Lakeside Drive, up from the boat landing and overlooking Reeds Lake. The current Lakewood Hills apartments now occupy that space. It was an extremely popular summertime venue that could seat 1,700 people. Built in 1897, it was torn down in 1949. Popular plays, musicals, Vaudevillian and burlesque acts, silent films, talkies and favorite local and national entertainers, such as Will Rogers, appeared at the theatre during its heyday.
Reeds Lake itself was home to two bathing beaches. Manhattan Beach was located on the north shore of the lake at the end of Pioneer Club Road and was in service from the mid 1880s to 1927. In 1884 Charles Seidel, boat builder and harbormaster on Reeds Lake, thought the property would be a fine spot for a bathing beach. He leased the land for just this purpose. The property was then purchased and developed into a more substantial beach resort by Thomas Reed in 1905. His family continued to operate the facility after he died. His daughter and her husband, Katherine and Charles Morgan, ran the facility until it closed and the property was sold in 1927.
Rose's Bathing Beach and Swimming School located on the west shore of Reeds Lake on the north side of the boat launch, was established in 1901 by James Rose. German born Rose had his own unique style of teaching people to swim. Hundreds learned under his tutelage. In addition to the bathing school, a fine bathhouse, bathing beach and toboggan slide were enjoyed by those lucky enough to visit this spot. After the bathing beach closed in the late 1960s, most of the facility was demolished. One small building was left standing. James' son John "Bub" Rose kept it open as a marina and a restaurant noted for its hamburgers and popcorn. "Bub" eventually retired to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to pursue his passion for ice boating, selling the restaurant to it's current owner - Gilmore Collection. It is still named Roses and serves excellent cuisine.
Currently, East Grand Rapids is most noted for its great academics and excellent sports teams.
Source:
EastGrandRapidsMichigan.com
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