Muskegon, Michigan
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| Muskegon, Michigan | |
| Nickname: "Lumbertown" "Port City" "Lumber Queen of the World" "Skeetown" (informal) |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Muskegon |
| Government | |
| - Type | Commission-Manager |
| - Mayor | Steve Warmington |
| - City Manager | Wes Mazade |
| Area | |
| - City | 18.0 sq mi (46.7 km²) |
| - Land | 14.4 sq mi (37.2 km²) |
| - Water | 3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²) |
| Elevation | 617 ft (191.4 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - City | 40,105 |
| - Density | 2,794.6/sq mi (1,079.0/km²) |
| - Urban | 154,729 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 49440-49445 |
| Area code(s) | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-56320[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1620963[2] |
| Website: http://www.muskegon-mi.gov/ | |
Muskegon (mus-kēg'n) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 40,105. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County, Michigan[3]. The city is located at the southwest corner of Muskegon Township, but is politically independent.
Muskegon is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Muskegon-Norton Shores Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is further included in the larger Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland Combined Statistical Area. Muskegon is the largest city on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.
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[edit] Geography and climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.0 square miles (46.7 km²), of which, 14.4 square miles (37.2 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) of it (20.37%) is water. The city is adjacent to two bodies of water: Lake Michigan to the west and Muskegon Lake to the north. The Muskegon River empties into Muskegon Lake at the city's northeast end.
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 63 | 67 | 80 | 86 | 93 | 98 | 96 | 99 | 95 | 83 | 76 | 64 |
| Norm High °F | 29.8 | 32.5 | 42.5 | 54.6 | 67 | 75.6 | 80 | 78.1 | 70.3 | 58.7 | 45.6 | 34.6 |
| Norm Low °F | 17.1 | 18.3 | 25.4 | 35.1 | 45.1 | 54.2 | 59.8 | 58.8 | 50.7 | 40.6 | 31.8 | 22.6 |
| Rec Low °F | -13 | -19 | -10 | 1 | 22 | 31 | 39 | 36 | 27 | 21 | -14 | -15 |
| Precip (in) | 2.22 | 1.58 | 2.36 | 2.91 | 2.95 | 2.58 | 2.32 | 3.77 | 3.52 | 2.8 | 3.23 | 2.64 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com[4] | ||||||||||||
[edit] Geographic features
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000[1], there were 40,105 people, 14,569 households, and 8,537 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,794.5 per square mile (1,079.1/km²). There were 15,999 housing units at an average density of 1,114.8/sq mi (430.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.9% White, 31.7% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.69% from other races, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any origins were 6.4% of the population.
There were 14,569 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.2% were married couples living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,929, and the median income for a family was $32,640. Males had a median income of $29,114 versus $22,197 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,283. About 16.8% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
Human occupation of the Muskegon area goes back seven or eight thousand years to the nomadic Paleo-Indian hunters who occupied the area following the retreat of the Wisconsonian glaciations. The Paleo-Indians were succeeded by several stages of woodland Indian developments, the most notable of whom were the Hopewellian type cultures that occupied this area perhaps two thousand years ago. During historic times, the Muskegon area was inhabited by various bands of the Ottawa and Pottawatomi Indian tribes. Perhaps the best remembered of the Indian inhabitants of the area was Ottawa Indian Chief, Pendalouan. A leading participant in the French-inspired annihilation of the Fox Indians of Illinois in the 1730's, he and his people lived in the Muskegon vicinity during the 1730's and 1740's until induced by the French to move the settlement to the Traverse Bay area in 1742.
"Muskegon" is derived from the Ottawa Indian term ‘Masquigon’ meaning "marshy river or swamp." The "Masquigon" river was identified on French maps dating from the late seventeenth century, suggesting that French explorers had reached Michigan's western coast by that time.
Father Jacques Marquette traveled northward through the area on his fateful trip to St. Ignace in 1675 and a party of French soldiers under La Salle's lieutenant, Henry de Tonty, passed through the area in 1679.
The earliest known white resident of the county was Edward Fitzgerald, a fur trader and trapper who first came to the Muskegon area in 1748 and who died here, reportedly being buried in the vicinity of White Lake. Sometime between 1790 and 1800, a French-Canadian trader named Joseph La Framboise established a fur trading post at the mouth of Duck Lake. Between 1810 and 1820, several French Canadian fur traders, including Lamar Andie, Jean Baptiste Recollect, and Pierre Constant had established fur trading posts around Muskegon Lake.
Settlement of Muskegon began in earnest in 1837; which coincided with the beginning of the exploitation of the area's extensive timber resources. The commencement of the lumber industry in 1837 inaugurated what some regard as the most romantic era in the history of the region.
[edit] Commerce and industry
[edit] Major employers
Alcoa-Howmet Castings (Whitehall, MI, formerly Misco) - Aerospace components manufacturing
L3 Communications (formerly Teledyne) - Armored vehicle manufacturing
Sappi Fine Paper (formerly SD Warren) - Paper mill
Johnson Technologies - Turbine engine components manufacturing
Kaydon Corp - Precision Bearings
Consumers Energy - Coal-fired power plant
Mahle (Formerly Dana (formerly Sealed Power)) - Piston Rings - Aerospace
Brunswick - Bowling products
West Michigan Steel
Kurdziel Industries (World Headquarters)
Wesco, inc. (Headquarters}
Cannon-Muskegon Corporation - Specialty alloys
Cole's Foods - Frozen Foods
Nugent Sand
Michigan's Adventure - Amusement Park
Reid Supply Company
Great Lakes Die Cast (formerly Dilesco)
Anderson Global (Formerly Anderson Pattern)
Mercy General Health Partners - Healthcare
Hackley Hospital
Century Foundry
Knoll Inc.
PrimeStar Solar
Port City Group
[edit] Shopping
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Major shopping districts in the Muskegon area include:
Lakeside: Home to the Cross Lake Ferry and currently the de facto center of tourist based retail shopping, Lakeside features wonderful attractions such as an art gallery, candy store, the Harbor movie theater, and glass making shop. It also features many quaint restaurants which give you a feel for the local color and flavor that makes Lakeside a distinct area of the city. The area, together with the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods is considered by many to be the 'spiritual heart' of Muskegon and has long been home to many of the city's leading residents and businesses.
Henry St. : Henry Street from Seminole Rd. to Sherman Blvd. This corridor is anchored at Norton Av. by Meijer's and Wal-Mart. The Sherman Blvd. end features Home Depot and Walgreens. Throughout the street are several strip malls and chain restaurants.
Downtown: Formerly the location of the Muskegon Mall, an experiment in 1970s city revitalization which saw the existing downtown infrastructure altered and covered by a glass-and-metal construct. The Muskegon Mall began to fail in the 1990s and officially shuttered in 2002, and razed in 2004. Today, a major redevelopment effort involving government, business, and citizen interests is in place to restore the downtown. At the moment, the downtown area features a limited retail shopping experience, but does have many restaurants and features two full-service hotels. During warm months, the downtown area also features a large and extremely popular farmers' market frequented by city locals and Muskegon visitors alike. Also many historic buildings and cultural attractions, including the famed Frauenthal Theatre, Muskegon Museum of Art, Hackley & Hume Homes, and Hackley Library are here.
Apple Avenue: Apple Avenue shopping is a shared corridor between the City of Muskegon and Muskegon Township. On the city side, stores such as KMart, Family Dollar, and Blockbuster video provides retail options to residents on the east side of the city. Also featured are small businesses such as a furniture store and laundromat. There are also many popular dining options. East of US31 is one of the areas fastest growing shopping areas, supporting the population growth of the eastern side of the metro area.
East Sherman Blvd.: Just east of US 31, the area is home to Sam's Club, Wal-Mart and Lowes. Also features a few strip mall developments, a motel, and several chain eateries.
Harvey St. Corridor This is a relatively newly developed area in Fruitport Township near the intersection of US 31 & I-96. This has become the main retail area in the county. Highlighted by The Lakes Mall, it features the typical mix of big box retailers, national chain restaurants and stores. New to this area is Target. They recently relocated from the East Sherman Blvd. shopping area.
[edit] Education
Muskegon Public Schools was founded in 1860 and serves students from preschool through 12th grade. Additionally, it runs the Muskegon Museum of Art and the Muskegon Training and Education Center. In addition to Muskegon Public Schools, the anchor district for the city, there are several other public K-12 schools choices available by commute using the "Schools of Choice" program. These include Mona Shores, Reeths-Puffer, North Muskegon, Fruitport, Orchard View and Muskegon Heights. One area school that is not included is Oakridge.
On a side note, many of these schools are noted throughout the state for high school sports. Muskegon has been a perennial powerhouse in MHSAA football, winning multiple championships since the inception of the team, including another championship in 2006, beating another powerhouse De La Salle 32-30. Also in 2006, Muskegon Catholic Central High School added yet another championship trophy to their collection, beating Grass Lake 35-7 for their 7th State Championship. Mona Shores has recently been recognized as a hockey powerhouse, having a Final Four team nearly every year, as well as having an excellent golf team. Two-time Mr. Golf Brendan Gielow graduated from Mona Shores in 2006. Muskegon Heights is known for its excellent basketball team, having lost in the state championship final in 2004.
The City of Muskegon is also served by Muskegon Community College and Baker College.
Grand Valley State University's Muskegon Campus is home to the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) and Annis Water Resources Institute inside the Lake Michigan Center located in downtown Muskegon.
Western Michigan University, Ferris State University, and Grand Valley State University all operate programs out of the Stevenson Center for Higher Education on the campus of Muskegon Community College. It is designed so that an undergrad at MCC may transfer to any of the above schools and complete a bachelors and/or masters degree without having to leave Muskegon.
[edit] Culture and recreation
[edit] Music and fine arts
Muskegon is home to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, located in the Manistee National Forest in the town of Twin Lake.
Once a movie house, the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts includes two theatres (the main Frauenthal house and the smaller Beardsley Theatre in the adjoining Hilt Building). It reopened 11 years ago, and runs JAM Theatrical productions, Muskegon Civic Theatre productions, is home of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, and used to be home to the now-defunct Cherry County Playhouse.
Muskegon also has one the of founding chapters of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Muskegon also houses a moderate-sized private collection of fine art in the Muskegon Museum of Art.
[edit] Festivals
Muskegon Summer Celebration (late June/early July), is a ten-day festival, held during the July 4 holiday every year, that brings national music acts of all backgrounds to the shore of Muskegon Lake at Heritage Landing. Also included is the Muskegon Art Fair, street fair, Village Craft Market, and the carnival rides.
The Muskegon Film Festival is held in February.
Every June, since 1990, St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church hosts its annual Hispanic Fiesta. The fiesta is always held outside of the church at 1292 Jefferson Street, next to Muskegon High School. There are always live music performances, children's activities, ethnic foods, and more. It is a celebration of Hispanic heritage. They never charge admission, but there usually is a small charge for most food items and some activities. More information can usually be found at the following link: ([2])
Each August, the Unity Christian Music Festival takes place at Heritage Landing. In May, Rock the Coast takes place at Michigan's Adventure. Both are organized by Alive on the Lakeshore.
In September, the Michigan Irish Music Festival brings renown Celtic musicians to Heritage Landing on the shore of Muskegon Lake. In addition to music, Irish food, beverages, merchandise and cultural exhibits contribute to the appeal of this event. The Michigan Feis (Irish Dance competition) is affiliated and is held at The LC Walker Arena nearby.
In early October, the International Buster Keaton Society visit Muskegon to host their annual convention. The event features public showings of Keaton films at the Frauenthal Theater.
[edit] Museums and theater
Broadway at the Frauenthal (Fall through Spring), brings big-time Broadway musicals to Muskegon. Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Museum of Art and West Shore Symphony Orchestra. The Muskegon Community Concert Association provides concerts from September through May.
Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegon's lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon County Museum, which details the grand, rich history of Muskegon County, from the Pottawatomi and Ottawa Native American tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today. Also includes science and nature exhibits.
The Muskegon Museum of Art deservedly is touted as one of the finest art museums in the Midwest. Among the highlights of its permanent collection is "Tornado Over Kansas", by John Steuart Curry (one of three leading painters, along with Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton, identified as Regionalists and known for their canvases celebrating the rural Midwest.)[5]
Muskegon is also the home of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, which features the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine; the USS LST-393, a World War II amphibious landing ship; and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era United States Coast Guard cutter.
In addition, Muskegon also berths the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper a former car ferry that traveled the same route as Lake Express does today. The boat is in the middle of a long process of being restored to its original form, but in the mean time is open for tours and hosts a museum aboard the vessel with information on both the Milwaukee Clipper, as well as the history of Maritime in Muskegon. Muskegon's entire history surrounds around being a port for commerce or travel, and this is an image the city has embraced.
- Carr-Fles Planetarium, Muskegon
The Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame exhibits, detailing the area's rich athletic past, are on display at the L.C. Walker Arena.
Camerata Singers, a professional chamber choir, performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Muskegon and other locations in west Michigan.
The Harbor Theater in the lakeside neighborhood is a non profit community theater that shows new Independent, foreign, and classic films. They also host guest speakers presenting films.
[edit] Outdoor recreation
Muskegon State Park and Winter Sports Complex is a campground and State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. Known for its miles of sandy beaches, lighted ski trails, and one of only three outdoor luge tracks in the United States
Lakeshore Bike Trail-Bike along the shores of Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan.
Michigan's Adventure, the largest amusement park in the state, is located in Muskegon County, a few miles north of the city of Muskegon. Michigan's Adventure features a midway with roller coasters, general rides, amusements, and a full water park.
[edit] Sports
Muskegon has a long history of involvement in professional and nonprofessional sports.
| Logo | Club | Sport | League | Venue | Championships |
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Muskegon Fury | Ice Hockey | International Hockey League | L.C. Walker Arena | Colonial Cup: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005 |
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Muskegon Thunder | Arena Football | Continental Indoor Football League | L.C. Walker Arena |
Previous sports teams to play in Muskegon have included:
| Club | Sport | Played from | League | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Mayhem | Basketball | 2004–2006 | CBA | L.C. Walker Arena |
| Muskegon Lumberjacks | Hockey | 1984–1992 | IHL | L.C. Walker Arena |
| Muskegon Mohawks | Hockey | 1965–1984 | IHL | L.C. Walker Arena |
| Muskegon Zephyrs | Hockey | 1960–1965 | IHL | L.C. Walker Arena |
| Muskegon Lassies | Baseball | 1946–1949 | AAGPBL | Marsh Field |
The Chronicle Seaway Run is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race.
[edit] Additional facts and figures
- Muskegon is the Beer Tent Capitol of the World.
- Once referred to as the "Lumber Queen of the World", Muskegon's rich collection of sawmills supplied the lumber to rebuild The Windy City after the Great Chicago Fire. During the lumbering era, Muskegon boasted more millionaires than any other town in America, and had the highest per capita income in the United States for a brief time.
- "Skeetown" and "The Skee" are two informal nicknames are occasionally used among younger residents of Muskegon for the town.
- The city is nicknamed "Port City", a reference made to the many large ships that once visited the port.
- The city of Muskegon is known for its unique local culture and diverse and often eccentric residents. The long history of local pride and rich culture in the city stems from its residents' deep sense of individuality, particular love for the fine and performing arts and humanities, pronounced self-reliance, and strong community and patriotic affiliations. Muskegonites are historically known as a city that 'defies stereotypes', and its cultural quirkiness and appeal have made it a favorite stop for many entertainers and artists. Also, it has caught attention when the character of 'Chris In the Morning' from the 1990s CBS drama, "Northern Exposure" often used a Muskegon Museum of Art coffee mug on the show. It was reported that an Associate Producer from the award-winning show once said that Muskegon was "...as close to Cicely (The fictional setting of "Northern Exposure") as you can get!"
- Muskegon has an unusually high number of US military veterans, despite its relative distance from a major military base, and has produced an exceptionally high number of decorated combat veterans and boasts a significant population of combat veterans, many of them former special operations personnel from the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. While considering former Muskegon resident and World War II hero Joseph Beyerle, one ranking US general exclaimed, "If this is the kind of soldier that comes from Muskegon then let's sign up the whole town!"
- In the 1970s, some Muskegonites unsuccessfully campaigned to secede from both Michigan and the United States, claiming that the city had 'perfected the American Dream'. This tongue-in-cheek expression was further reinforced by the now-famed "Lakeside (A prominent and popular Muskegon neighborhood) Against the World!"
- Muskegon High School boasts one of the oldest and winningest high school football programs in the U.S. The Muskegon Big Reds football team has drawn a number of famous fans over the years, including Chicago mob boss Al Capone, who visited at least a couple of the games and always had the team's score read to him on Monday mornings at his offices in Chicago. When he was serving time in Alcatraz, he had a Big Reds' pennant in his cell. In the late 1990s, a restaurant across the street from the L.C. Walker Arena was named A.J Capone's.
- A Sufjan Stevens song from the album Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lake State is entitled "They Also Mourn Who Do Not Wear Black (For the Homeless in Muskegon)".
[edit] Media
- Muskegon's leading newspaper is The Muskegon Chronicle. The Chronicle is a daily newspaper in Muskegon, Michigan owned by Booth Newspapers. It started publication in 1857.
- Muskegon is served by several local television channels:
- WMKG-LP 38 is a low-powered television station serving the area. This station features a homey mix of programming such as television bingo and Dial-A-Bargain. The Dial-A-Bargain show includes a host reading menus from various local eateries. Viewers may then call in and purchase certificates for that particular establishment at 50% off the regular price.
- WWMT-TV 3 (CBS and CW), WOOD-TV 8 (NBC), WZZM-TV 13 (ABC), WXMI-TV 17 (FOX), WOMS-TV 29 (MNTV), WGVU-TV 35 (PBS), WOTV (ABC), WZPX (ION), and WTLJ-TV 54 (TBN). Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago affiliates are also common in the warmer months.
- Comcast holds the local cable franchise.
- The Muskegon area is also served by several radio stations. WUVS-LP 103.7 is a popular urban (hip-hop/R&B) and gospel station with local programming as well as Sunday religious programming and local-based talk. Another local low-powered FM station is WMMT-LP 106.1, owned by the Muskegon Training and Education Center, which airs an Urban Oldies format dubbed "M-TEC 106 FM, Rock 'n' Soul."
- Local radio talk shows include the Ramona Show on WKBZ 1090. On this show the host interviews local small business people. A once-a-week, Friday afternoon show on the same station is called "Talking Muskegon". "Talking Muskegon" is hosted by local celebrity Jon Van Wyke. It features homey conversations about area nightlife, his work life and volunteer activities he is involved with around town. In addition, he talks about conditions backstage at Summer Celebration, his sailboat and the state of the professional hockey team the Muskegon Fury. Usually the show is co-hosted with two of his friends.
- Other local FM stations include 90.3 WBLV-FM (classical/jazz/NPR), 91.7 WMCQ-FM (religious), WLAW-FM 92.5 ("outlaw" country), WGVS-FM 95.3 (public radio), WEFG-FM 97.5 (sports), WLCS-FM 98.3 (oldies), WVIB-FM 100.1 (urban contemporary), WMRR-FM 101.7 (classic rock), WSNX-FM 104.5 (top 40, studios in Grand Rapids), WMUS-FM 106.9 (country), and WSHZ-FM 107.9 (adult contemporary). Other local AM stations aside from WKBZ include WGVS-AM 850 (NPR), WODJ-AM 1490 (sports), and WMHG-AM 1600 (adult standards). Other area stations can be received from Grand Haven (WGHN-FM 92.1, adult contemporary), Grand Rapids (WGRD-FM 97.9), Ludington, Holland, Zeeland (WJQK-FM 99.3, Christian pop), and Milwaukee.
- Clear Channel Communications is the major radio-station owner in Muskegon, owning WKBZ-AM, WSHZ-FM, WMUS-FM, WMRR-FM and WMHG-AM, as well as WSNX (although WSNX is considered primarily a Grand Rapids station despite being licensed to Muskegon). Citadel Broadcasting owns WODJ-AM, WLAW-FM, WEFG-FM, WLCS-FM and WVIB-FM.
[edit] Transportation
Public transportation is provided by the Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS - "The Shore Line"), which operates nine bus routes, three trolley routes, and a paratransit system[7]
MATS operates the Muskegon Trolley Company. Three routes cover north side, south side, and downtown; each trolley stops at 11 locations, including Hackley and Hume Historic Site, USS Silversides, Muskegon State Park. (Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily; no trips during special events).
Commercial air service is provided by Northwest Airlines and Midwest Airlines at Muskegon County Airport (MKG). Other airlines service the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids.
Muskegon is the Eastern port of the Lake Express High Speed Car Ferry that crosses Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin offering three roundtrips a day in the Summer, and two roundtrips in the Fall. There are many bike paths starting to be built around the area.
Several major highways serve the city, including:
[edit] Major roads
[edit] Sister cities
[edit] Notable current/former residents
[edit] Noteworthy
- Joseph Beyrle, only soldier to have served in both the US Army and the Soviet Army in World War II
- David Leestma, astronaut
- Captain Jonathan Walker, "The Man With Branded Hand", abolitionist
- Nancy Anne Fleming, Miss America 1961
- Vonda Kay Van Dyke, Miss America 1965
[edit] Business and Politics
- Charles Hackley (1837-1905), lumber baron, philanthropist (Hackey Hospital, Hackley Library, Hackley Adminsration Building, Hackley Avenue, Hackley Art Gallery, Hackley Park)
- After a gift of $12,000,000 to the community, the city of Muskegon considering changing its name to "Hackleyville"
- Richard Mell, Politician
- Louis Carlisle Walker, industrialist, current namesake of L.C. Walker Arena
- Nathan R Ballantine, philanthropist and comedian
[edit] Religion
- Edmund Cardinal Szoka, Cardinal, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
- Jim Bakker, TV Evangelist
[edit] Science and Technology
- W. Wesley Peterson, mathematician and computer scientist, best known for inventing the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)
[edit] The Arts
[edit] Artists
- Haddon Sundblom, Graphic Arts Designer best known for his images of Santa Claus for Coca-Cola.
Authors
- Laurie Keller, children's book writer and illustrator best known for The Scrambled States of America and Grandpa Gazillion's Number Yard
- John Frederick Nims, poet
- Lewis B. Smedes, Theologian and Author
- Verna Aardema Vugteveen, Children's author, winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1976.
[edit] Music
- Steve Gorman, drummer, Black Crowes, born in Muskegon.
- Rick Johnson, musician, bass player for Mustard Plug
- Bettye LaVette, soul singer
- Iggy Pop, punk rock icon
- Wayne Static, lead singer and guitarist for industrial metal band, Static-X.
- Bill Szymczyk, musical producer of the Eagles, The Who and others.
- Gerry Teifer, music publisher, songwriter, performer
- Billy Williams born in Tennessee and grew up in Muskegon, music producer best known for his collaboration with Lyle Lovett on his Grammy-award winning country music album "The Road to Ensenada," voted Best Country Album in 1996 at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards.
[edit] Stage
- Buster Keaton, comedian and film director; born in Kansas but spent the summers of his childhood in Muskegon with his family as a member of the Muskegon Actors' Colony. As a vaudevillian who traveled constantly in non-summer months, Keaton always regarded Muskegon as his home town.
- Harry Morgan, actor
- Kate Reinders, Broadway actress known for playing the role of Glinda in Wicked and Caroline in Good Vibrations
- Carly Jibson, Broadway actress known for premiering the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray for its first national tour, and continued the role on Broadway in May 2004.
[edit] Television
- J.D. Ryznar, actor/musician, cast member of Acceptable TV showing on VH1
- Frank Stanton, Former President of CBS
[edit] Sports
- Robert Morse - NFL player for the New Orleans Saints
- Justin Abdelkader - Detroit Red Wings Ice Hockey player
- Paul Dekker, professional football player in the NFL and CFL
- Mark Grimette, Men's double luge, winner of Olympic silver (2002) and bronze (1998) medals
- Ruvell Martin, NFL player for the Green Bay Packers
- Earl Morrall, American footballer with Miami Dolphins, Super Bowl winner
- Don Nelson, NBA Basketball Coach
- Sherman Poppen, inventor of the Snurfer (aka the first snowboard).
- Bennie Oosterbaan, Three-Time All-American in football at the University of Michigan. Later their head football coach.
- Bob Zuppke, Football coach at the University of Illinois
- Ronald Johnson, USC Wide Receiver, widely considered to be the best high school recruit for the position for the 2007 Signing Class
- Terrence Taylor, University of Michigan Defensive Tackle
[edit] External links
- Annual Buster Keaton Convention in Muskegon.
- City of Muskegon.
- Faith Baptist Church of Muskegon.
- Great Lakes Coast Watch.
- Muskegon Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce.
- Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame.
- Downtown Muskegon.org Web Cam.
- Muskegon Actors' Colony.
- Muskegon Museum of Art.
- Muskegon, Michigan at the Open Directory Project
- Muskegon, Michigan is at coordinates Coordinates:
[edit] References
- Muskegon Public Schools. http://www.muskegon.k12.mi.us/. Retrieved July 1, 2005.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Muskegon Weather|Muskegon Weather Forecast|Muskegon Climate
- ^ Muskegon Museum of Art, Tornado Over Kansas.
- ^ Michigan DNR on Hoffmaster State Park.
- ^ MATS History
