2007-05-29 13:27:37 · 25 answers · asked by Tommy 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Detroit
Lansing has been the capital city since about 1848 or so; before that the capital was detroit from 1837 when Michigan was let into the Union until 1848. The Capital Building was built in 1875-76.
The main reason for making Lansing the capital city was actually security from the British. You may recall the War of 1812 but not know that Detroit fell to the Brits during that war. Since Canada is just a few hundred yards across the Detroit River, and a pretty major British fort was/is located in Amersberg (sp) about 10 miles south of Windsor (or Sandwich as Windsor was called at the time). Homeland security was a concern even back then.
Another reason Lansing was picked was because it was centrally located between Detroit and Grand Rapids. There was quite a battle between various towns vying to be the Capital (Marshall, Owosso, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, etc.) but Lansing was picked even though nothing was really there.
In 1848-ish Lansing had about 100 folks living in what was really a swamp.
Finally, Lansing was named after Lansing, NY ... seems a couple of brothers from NY founded Lansing in the 1820's but since nothing was there they decided to make up a town on paper. They printed up a bunch of advertising fliers boasting of all the things Lansing had to offer: a Mill, Banks, blacksmiths, good roads, etc. Then the brothers sold lots of swamp land to folks coming across NY on the Erie Canal. Of course when people got to Lansing, they were a little peeeved at being swindled.
That's why folks - to this day - feel swindled whenever they hear the word Lansing; they know their money is going into a swamp.
2007-05-30 09:06:07 · answer #1 · answered by bill s 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The present capital of Michigan is Lansing, the Home of Michigan State University and the Spartans.
2007-05-31 04:41:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The capital of Michigan is Lansing.
2007-05-30 04:42:40 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Knowledgeable VI 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The capital city of state Michigan is Lansing, the largest city of Michigan is Detroit.
2007-05-30 03:13:27 · answer #4 · answered by Iron Man 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lansing
2007-05-30 19:16:08 · answer #5 · answered by Lily's Guy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lansing
2007-05-31 08:57:51 · answer #6 · answered by bluepinguino30 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lansing
2007-05-30 08:00:35 · answer #7 · answered by Stareyes 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lansing
2007-05-29 13:30:29 · answer #8 · answered by JennG 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lansing
2007-05-29 13:30:27 · answer #9 · answered by Alicia 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lansing, Michigan.....
2007-05-30 15:02:25 · answer #10 · answered by Ebonee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋