The Oldest Town In Michigan Is One Of The Oldest In America

Michigan may not have become a state until over 60 years after the American Revolution in 1776, but that doesn't mean the Great Lakes State doesn't have a long history, including one of the oldest towns in the country.

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When did Michigan become a state?

Michigan became a state on January 26, 1837, becoming the 26th official state in the United States of America.

What is the oldest town in Michigan?

Surprisingly, Michigan's first city wasn't one of the major river cities of Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, or Flint; it was Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula. Which would eventually become the home of the famous Soo Locks.

When was Michigan's oldest city founded?

According to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation the town was first discovered by European explorers in the early 1600s. Of course like in many parts of the country, 'discovered' is a very loose term as many lands were already inhabited by Native Americans.

Later in the 17th century the town of Sault Ste. Marie was founded as Michigan's first European settlement by French Jesuit missionary, Jacques Marquette:

The first French explorers passed through in 1622, finding the area to be the center of Native American life in the upper Great Lakes. In 1668, Sault Ste. Marie was founded by Father Jacques Marquette as one city separated by the St. Mary’s River.

How old are Michigan's biggest towns and cities?

For reference here are the founding dates of other Michigan cities:

• Detroit: 1701
• Grand Rapids: 1826
• Lansing: 1836 (as Biddle City)
• Kalamazoo: 1831
• Flint: 1819