1888 GRAND LEDGE ADVERTISEMENT

Grand Ledge is situated in Oneida Township, near the northern line of Eaton County and is an important station on the D., L. & N. and G. R., L & D. railroad 11 miles from Lansing, 52 miles east of Grand Rapids, 26 southeast of Ionia, and 96 from Detroit.  Charlotte the county seat, is 16 miles southwest.

The village was settled in 1837, incorporated in 1871 and derives its name from the surrounding bluffs, which rise to a height of from 75 to 100 feet along the banks of the Grand River, which is at this point a beautiful stream, some 300 feet in width.  A substantial dam with a fall of seven feet is made to furnish one of the best water powers in the state, in part utilized by saw, cider, and jelly, flour, and planning mills, and chair and table factories, foundry and machine shop, besides which a flouring mill, two machine shops, a foundry, and saw and planning mills are operated by steam.  Artificial stone and tile works, marble works, a cooper shop, and fruit evaporation also give employment to a number of hands. 

Extensive beds of sand stone, valuable for building purposes, are found in the immediate vicinity, underlying which is a stratum of excellent coal and fire clay.  Four coal mines are being operated and 30 men employed which number it is confidently expected will be largely increased as this industry develops. The village has two handsome union school buildings recently erected at a cost of $17,000, four churches, two grain elevators, three hotels, two banks, and two newspapers.  

The streets and the principal stores are well-lighted by electricity, giving the place somewhat of a metropolitan appearance.  The Jenny system of electric lighting is used, and the plants owned and operated by the village. A handsome railroad bridge, 72 feet from the water, and 585 feet in length crosses the Grand River at this place and was erected at a cost of $50,000.  The Seven Islands pleasure resort, just below the village is an attractive feature.  It is estimated that from 60,000 to 70,000 people visited these islands during the past season.  Lumber, stones, furniture, flour, grain, fruit, and livestock are the leading shipments.  Telephone facilities are afforded by Michigan Bell Telephone Company. Population 2000.