Eaton Rapids, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eaton Rapids
City
Nickname(s):  The Island City
Location of Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Eaton
Area
• Total	3.73 sq mi (9.67 km2)
• Land	3.63 sq mi (9.40 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2)
Elevation	876 ft (267 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,203
• Density	1,433.33/sq mi (553.42/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	48827
Area code(s)	517
FIPS code	26-24540
GNIS feature ID	1626211
Website	www.cityofeatonrapids.com

Eaton Rapids is a city in Eaton County, Michigan. It is often called the Island City. This is because its downtown area is on an island in the Grand River. A public park is also found on this island. In 2010, about 5,214 people lived here.

The city is in the southern part of Eaton Rapids Township. It is also near Hamlin Township. However, Eaton Rapids is a separate city and not part of either township.

History of Eaton Rapids

Early Settlement and Industry

The Potawatomi people were the first to live in the area of Eaton Rapids. They built a village here around 1774. This land was part of their larger territory.

Around 1835, people from Europe and America started to settle in this area. They were interested in the timber (wood) and the water power from the rivers. This helped the area become a center for different industries.

In 1836, a sawmill was built near Spring Brook. This mill provided the lumber (cut wood) that settlers used to build Eaton Rapids. A year later, in 1837, the Old Red Mill was built. It used water power from the stream to grind corn. Later, another sawmill and a wool carding mill were built along the Grand River.

Mineral Water Discovery

In 1852, something exciting happened: mineral water was found by E. B. Frost. This discovery made Eaton Rapids famous around the world. It even earned the nickname The Saratoga of the West. This name referred to Saratoga Springs, New York, which was also known for its mineral waters.

Many people wanted to try the mineral water. They believed it had health benefits and could help cure certain illnesses. To supply enough water for baths, 14 wells were drilled. Today, only three of these wells are still working.

Davidson Mill and Local Leadership

In 1921, John B. Davidson Sr. moved to Eaton Rapids. He started the only textile mill in Michigan that made its own yarn. The Davidson Mill was very important. It supplied 95 percent of the wool yarn used for major league baseball uniforms. It also made high-quality yarns for other uses.

After 48 years, the mill sadly burned down in 1969. John B. Davidson Sr. was also a leader in the community. He became the mayor of Eaton Rapids. Later, he represented the area in both the State House and the State Senate.

Medovue Mansion: From Home to Inn

In 1927, Irving Jacob Reuter and his wife Janet built a large mansion called Medovue. It was a 17-room house with a Tudor Revival style. Irving Reuter was the president of the Oldsmobile car company. He was also a financier (someone who deals with money) and an inventor. The Reuters were very generous and gave a lot of money to charity.

After nine years, the Reuters sold their property. It was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing. The mansion became the home of their first bishop, Joseph H. Albers. Later, the diocese sold the mansion again.

C.J. and Mille Sumner bought the mansion next. They turned it into an Adult Foster Care Home and filled it with antiques. They named it "Ivy Manor." In 1990, the home was sold once more. It was then renovated and became a bed and breakfast called the English Inn. In 1991, it was recognized and listed as a Registered Historic Place in Michigan.

The original building is about 10,000 square feet. It still has many of its old antique furnishings. The property also has 15 acres of gardens and countryside along the river. Gary and Donna Nelson bought it in 1996. They also added a restaurant and a pub. Today, their son Erik Nelson runs the business. The English Inn is open for people to visit and enjoy.

Geography of Eaton Rapids

Eaton Rapids is located along the Grand River. The river flows north from Jackson to Lansing. In Eaton Rapids, the Grand River meets Spring Brook. Then, it turns west.

The city covers a total area of about 3.51 square miles (9.09 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.39 square miles (8.78 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.12 square miles (0.31 square kilometers), is water.

Important Geographic Features

• Grand River

Transportation Routes

Eaton Rapids is connected by several state roads:

• M-99 connects to I-94 about 19 miles (31 km) south near Albion. It also connects to I-96 about 12 miles (19 km) north, near Lansing.
• M-50 connects to I-69 about 9 miles (14 km) west in Charlotte. It also connects to US 127 and I-94 about 21 miles (34 km) southeast, north of Jackson.
• M-188 provides access from Eaton Rapids to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Home. This home is near Onondaga.

Population and Climate

Population Changes Over Time

In 2010, there were 5,214 people living in Eaton Rapids. There were 2,092 households and 1,345 families. The city had about 1,538 people per square mile. Most residents (95.1%) were White. About 4.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in the city was 34.8 years. About 27.7% of residents were under 18 years old.

Local Climate

Eaton Rapids has a humid continental climate. This means it has big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and often humid. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold. On climate maps, this type of climate is shown as "Dfb."

See also

In Spanish: Eaton Rapids para niños