Historical Map of Grand Rapids
Posted by Jim at July 21st, 2006
Via Urban Planet’s Grand Rapids forum…
Take a look at the this old map of Grand Rapids. In addition to streetcar lines and a general sense of what Grand Rapids looked like early last century, you’ll find that each part of town has been labeled with the ethnicity of it’s residents.
For more, take a look at the thread “Grand Rapids Then and Now.” If (like me) you’re looking at it as a guest, you’ll have to click on the pictures to look at them. Members get the pictures within the messages.
Hello,
I am currently doing research on the ethnic composition of Grand Rapids’ neighborhoods and managed to stumble onto your site. Where did you find the Grand Rapids city map with the ethnicities labeled? It is only one of three that I’ve seen with such labeling.
Thanks!
Andrew Giguere
I saw it on Urban Planet, a website devoted to talking about city planning. In one of their forums (the Grand Rapids forum), they were posting pictures and maps from the history of the city.
What I’d do in your shoes is to get an Urban Planet account and look through the “Grand Rapids Then and Now” thread that I linked to in my post. In it, you’ll find the map and the person who posted it. Then ask that person how he found it.
Jim Zoetewey
Dear Jim,
I am trying to find out the ethnic composition of Grand Rapids around 1915 for a book I am writing about my family. I am not too skilled at looking up things on the net. I thought you might have this kind of info at your fingertips. I just want to know roughly what proportion was Dutch, like a third, or a quarter. Much appreciate a reply. Jeanne
Jeanne Keresztesi
I really don’t know the answer to that question…
I’ve got some ideas as to where you might look though. First off, you might try census data. The government makes old data available these days.
The 1910 Census
The 1920 Census
Still you also might contact the Grand Rapids Historical Society. If they didn’t know the answer, I bet they’d know where to look.
Jim Zoetewey