Table of Contents

Michigan

Auto State

Michigan is regarded as the “Auto State” since Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in Detroit in 1903. Detroit quickly became a vehicle manufacturing center.1)

Coastline

Michigan has more shoreline than the whole Atlantic coastline of the United States, with nearly 3,288 miles. Only Alaska has a longer coast.2)

Wolverine State

Despite the fact that Michigan is renowned as the Wolverine State, there is no evidence that the creatures ever resided there.3)

Great Lakes State

Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State because it borders four of the five major lakes. It is the only state that has more than two borders.4)

Name Origin

Michigan gets its name from the Ojibwe word “mishigami”, which means “big water” or “huge lake”.5)

Two Peninsulas

The only state with two peninsulas is Michigan.6)

Automatic Switchblades Illegal

Automatic switchblades are forbidden in Michigan unless you only have one arm.7)

State Motto

“If you desire a nice peninsula, look about you,” says Michigan's state motto.8)

Most Phallic Building

A “Brick D*ck” may be found in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It's a water tower dubbed “the most phallic edifice in the world”.9)

Gambling Addiction?

If you have a gambling addiction, you can prohibit yourself from entering Michigan casinos. If you are detected, officers can arrest you and steal your winnings.10)

Great Lakes

The Great Lakes cover approximately 40% of Michigan's total land area. The Great Lakes have the world's biggest freshwater surface, and Lake Superior has the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area.11)

Limestone Quarry

The world's largest limestone quarry is located in Michigan.12)

Famous People

Notable Michigan residents include Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, Thomas E. Dewey, and Gerald Ford.13)

Bavarian Inn

The Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn is well-known for its chicken. Every year, it offers about 600,000 pounds of chicken in German recipes.14)

Toledo War

Michigan and Ohio fought each other over Toledo in 1835. President Andrew Jackson handed the city to Ohio but gave Michigan the Upper Peninsula instead.15)

Étienne Brûlé

In 1618, French adventurer Étienne Brûlé became the first European to visit Michigan.16)

Petoskey Stones

The Petoskey stones can only be found in Michigan. Over 350 million years ago, coral produced unusual patterns on these stones.17)

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

In Detroit, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is well-known. It is one of the largest museums in the world dedicated to African-American history and culture.18)

Blueberries and Tart Cherries

Michigan produces the most blueberries and tart cherries of any state.19)

Mackinac Island

Fudge is famous on Lake Huron's Mackinac Island. Several stores have been selling it for almost a century.20)

Authentic Dutch Windmill

Michigan is home to the United States' sole original Dutch windmill. The De Zwann Windmill continues to generate whole wheat flour for the Holland, Michigan, and surrounding communities.21)

Boat Registrations

Michigan has one of the highest number of boat registrations in the United States.22)

Floating Post Office

Michigan is the only state in the United States with a floating post office. The J.W. Westcott II boat has been running for 125 years and is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships.23)

Phone Numbers

People in Detroit were the first in the United States to have telephone numbers.24)

Tonnage Passes

The historic Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie handle more tonnage than the Suez and Panama Canals combined.25)

Nineteen Chandeliers

Tiffany's of New York created the seventeen chandeliers in Lansing's Capitol building specifically for the structure. They weigh between eight and nine hundred pounds each and are made of copper, iron, and pewter.26)

Passenger Airline Service

In 1926, the nation's first regularly scheduled air passage service commenced between Grand Rapids and Detroit.27)

Largest Weathervane

Montague is home to the world's biggest weathervane. It is forty-eight feet tall and weighs three hundred pounds. It has a wind arrow that is 26 feet long.28)

Singing Sand

The beaches at Grand Haven have singing sand. When you walk over the sand particles, they generate a whistling sound.29)

Indian River

Indian River is home to the world's biggest crucifix. It's known as the Cross in the Woods.30)