Greenville, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenville, Michigan
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| Nickname(s):
"The Danish Festival City", "Birthplace of Meijer"
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| Motto(s):
Living Large in a Small Town
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Location of Greenville within Montcalm County and the state of Michigan
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County | Montcalm |
| Founded | 1844 |
| Incorporated | 1867 (village) 1871 (city) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.65 sq mi (17.23 km2) |
| • Land | 6.34 sq mi (16.43 km2) |
| • Water | 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2) |
| Elevation | 840 ft (260 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,816 |
| • Density | 1,389.88/sq mi (536.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
48838
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| Area code(s) | 616 |
| FIPS code | 26-35100 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626401 |
Greenville is a city in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It's the biggest city in Montcalm County, with 8,816 people living there in 2020. Greenville is also famous for being the starting place of the Meijer superstore chain.
Contents
History of Greenville
Greenville got its name from its founder, John Green. He settled in this area of Montcalm County in 1844. John Green built a sawmill on the Flat River, which helped attract more settlers to the area.
Many people from Denmark moved to the new "Green's Village." They came after hearing good things about the area from an early Danish settler. Because of this Danish history, Greenville celebrates the Danish Festival every year in August. The first post office opened here on January 20, 1848. Greenville officially became a village in 1867 and then a city in 1871.
Meijer Stores Begin in Greenville
Hendrik Meijer, who started the Meijer stores, moved to Greenville from the Netherlands. He was a barber at first. But during the Great Depression, he saw that his part of town needed a good grocery store. So, in 1934, he opened his own store. Today, Meijer stores are all over the Midwest. Hendrik's son, Fred Meijer, who helped grow the company, was born in Greenville.
The Fighting Falcon Plane
Greenville is special because it's home to the Fighting Falcon. This was the lead glider plane during World War II's Operation Overlord. The children of Greenville raised money to buy the Falcon. Because of their effort, it was chosen to lead the mission.
Greenville: Refrigerator Capital
Since 1892, Greenville has been known as the "Refrigerator Capital of the World." Many famous refrigerator companies, like Gibson, Frigidaire, and Electrolux, had factories here. The Electrolux factory closed in 2006, which affected many families.
Greenville also tried to become a center for "green" technology with a solar panel company, but that didn't work out. However, a company called Northland Marvel, which makes undercounter refrigerators, now has its main manufacturing and design center here.
In 2008, Lafayette Street, the downtown area, was added to the National and State Register of Historic Places.
Geography and Nature
Greenville is located in the southwestern part of Montcalm County. It's about 16 miles southwest of Stanton, which is the county seat. It's also about 33 miles northeast of Grand Rapids.
The city covers about 6.65 square miles. Most of this is land, but about 0.31 square miles is water. The Flat River flows through the city. It eventually joins the Grand River further south. Greenville has three lakes within its city limits: Baldwin, Manoka, and Como. There are also many smaller ponds and wetlands.
The Greenville post office serves not only the city but also several nearby townships.
Major Highways
- M-57 runs east-west through Greenville as Washington Street.
- M-91 runs north-south through Greenville as Lafayette Street. It crosses M-57 in the center of town.
Climate
Greenville has a climate with big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and often humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate.
| Climate data for Greenville 2 NNE, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1912–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 64 (18) |
70 (21) |
88 (31) |
88 (31) |
93 (34) |
101 (38) |
108 (42) |
104 (40) |
101 (38) |
89 (32) |
80 (27) |
70 (21) |
108 (42) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 31.2 (−0.4) |
34.2 (1.2) |
45.5 (7.5) |
59.3 (15.2) |
71.1 (21.7) |
80.4 (26.9) |
84.3 (29.1) |
82.1 (27.8) |
75.2 (24.0) |
62.1 (16.7) |
47.8 (8.8) |
36.0 (2.2) |
59.1 (15.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.0 (−5.6) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
33.5 (0.8) |
45.7 (7.6) |
57.4 (14.1) |
66.5 (19.2) |
70.3 (21.3) |
68.5 (20.3) |
61.3 (16.3) |
49.6 (9.8) |
37.6 (3.1) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
47.0 (8.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 12.9 (−10.6) |
13.3 (−10.4) |
21.5 (−5.8) |
32.0 (0.0) |
43.7 (6.5) |
52.6 (11.4) |
56.3 (13.5) |
54.9 (12.7) |
47.5 (8.6) |
37.0 (2.8) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
18.6 (−7.4) |
34.8 (1.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −26 (−32) |
−25 (−32) |
−18 (−28) |
5 (−15) |
20 (−7) |
30 (−1) |
38 (3) |
34 (1) |
24 (−4) |
14 (−10) |
−4 (−20) |
−18 (−28) |
−26 (−32) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.23 (57) |
1.94 (49) |
2.43 (62) |
3.90 (99) |
4.05 (103) |
3.62 (92) |
3.05 (77) |
3.50 (89) |
3.04 (77) |
3.54 (90) |
2.98 (76) |
2.37 (60) |
36.65 (931) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 20.3 (52) |
16.5 (42) |
9.4 (24) |
2.5 (6.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
5.0 (13) |
18.8 (48) |
72.9 (185) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 15.2 | 11.5 | 10.8 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 9.7 | 9.1 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 12.3 | 12.5 | 14.4 | 139.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 14.6 | 10.7 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.7 | 11.8 | 49.0 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Things to Do in Greenville
Greenville offers many fun activities for outdoor lovers.
Swimming
Baldwin Lake Beach has a pavilion and a white sand beach on Baldwin Lake. The swimming area is small, and there are no lifeguards.
Biking
Greenville has a great system of trails for biking. The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail is eight miles long. It connects the city's main parks and goes all around the city. Greenville is also where the 41-mile Fred Meijer Heartland Trail ends. This trail links Greenville to Alma and other towns. If you like mountain biking, there are paths at Shearer Road and Edward's Creek.
Skiing
Tower Mountain ski area is the only place in the county with a tow rope for skiing and sledding. It's free for everyone to use. Greenville also has miles of trails for cross-country skiing. You can find them at the Greenville Community Center and along the bike trails in winter.
Boating
You can access the Flat River for canoeing at Jackson's Landing. This is a popular spot to start paddling through the Flat River State Game area.
Ice Fishing
Greenville has a strong tradition of building ice shantys. Every year, you can see some of the most advanced creations on the area's many fishing lakes.
Historic Places to See
Greenville has several important historic landmarks.
Black Field
This historic football stadium was built into a hillside. It was the home field for Greenville High School's football team starting in 1933. Dr. D. K. Black donated the field to the school. It was officially dedicated on October 15, 1936. This field is no longer used for games, as a new stadium was built at Greenville Senior High.
The Fighting Falcon Museum
This historic building was built in 1902 as the Cass Street School. Later, it became the Board of Education building. Now, it has been updated and is home to the Fighting Falcon Museum.
First Congregational Church
The beautiful First Congregational Church, with its many steeples, was finished on June 6, 1880. The front of the church has a large, twelve-foot-wide rose window. This is actually the second First Congregational Church in Greenville. The first one was built in 1856 and later moved down the street.
Historic Main Street
Greenville's main shopping area on Lafayette Street shows off early 20th-century buildings. You can see them from the bluffs of the Flat River all the way to Greenville's city hall. Some businesses, like Kemp Insurance Sure, have been on Lafayette Street since 1879. Many buildings are being restored to look like they did when they were first built.
The Little Mermaid Statue
A copy of Denmark's famous The Little Mermaid statue sits along the banks of the Flat River. This small statue caused an international discussion. The City of Greenville was sued because the statue was a copy of the original without permission from the artist's family.
The Flat River Historical Museum
The Flat River Historical Museum opened on October 10, 1972. It stands on the banks of the Flat River. This is the exact spot where John Green built his cabin, a dam, and the sawmill that brought the first residents to the village.
Historic Armory
The Washington Street Armory was no longer used for military purposes after a new armory was built next door. In 1981, it was turned into a roller rink. A local artist named Eston King painted storybook castle murals inside. Sadly, a fire in 2006 badly damaged the roof, and the building was torn down in 2011.
Culture and Community
Greenville has a lively community spirit.
Danish Festival
Every year, on the third weekend in August, Greenville celebrates its Danish heritage. This festival also showcases the modern spirit of the Midwest.
Farming Life
Greenville is surrounded by farms that grow potatoes, corn, and Christmas trees. There are also dairy farms. Greenville used to be home to the Ore-Ida tater tots factory. When it closed in 1986, local farmers had to find new crops to grow.
Greenville has an active 4H program for young people. Each summer, the city hosts the Montcalm County 4H Fair. This fair features livestock competitions, tractor pulls, a fun midway, and a demolition derby.
Arts and Music
Greenville has a busy arts scene. The Greenville Area Recreation and Community Center is home to the Hans Christian Andersen Theater (HCAT). This theater puts on plays for children, teens, and adults. The Flat River Community Players also perform American plays at the Greenville Community Center Theater. Greenville High School has an award-winning music program. It includes a marching band, concert band, jazz band, orchestra, and the Village Green singers.
Local News and Radio
The local daily newspaper for the area is The Daily News. It's based in Greenville and has about 4,500 copies printed each day. The city also has one radio station, WGLM. You can listen to it on both FM and AM as "M106-3" and "M-1380".
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 398 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,807 | 354.0% | |
| 1880 | 3,144 | 74.0% | |
| 1890 | 3,056 | −2.8% | |
| 1900 | 3,381 | 10.6% | |
| 1910 | 4,045 | 19.6% | |
| 1920 | 4,304 | 6.4% | |
| 1930 | 4,730 | 9.9% | |
| 1940 | 5,321 | 12.5% | |
| 1950 | 6,668 | 25.3% | |
| 1960 | 7,440 | 11.6% | |
| 1970 | 7,493 | 0.7% | |
| 1980 | 8,019 | 7.0% | |
| 1990 | 8,101 | 1.0% | |
| 2000 | 7,935 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 8,481 | 6.9% | |
| 2020 | 8,816 | 4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 8,481 people living in Greenville. There were 3,464 households and 2,138 families. About 35.2% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.39 people. The average age in the city was 34.7 years old. About 26.6% of residents were under 18.
Famous People from Greenville
- Frederick C. Bock, a bomber pilot
- Frederik Meijer, a businessman
- Mike Vining, a sergeant major
- Ivy Winters, a drag queen
- Justin Zimmer, a football player
- Ty Hallock, a football player
See also
In Spanish: Greenville (Míchigan) para niños
