- Mount Pleasant, Michigan
-
Mount Pleasant, Michigan — City — 
SealLocation within Isabella County, Michigan
Coordinates: 43°35′52″N 84°46′03″W / 43.59778°N 84.7675°WCoordinates: 43°35′52″N 84°46′03″W / 43.59778°N 84.7675°W Country United States State Michigan County Isabella Government – Type Council-Manager – Mayor Bruce Kilmer – City Manager Kathie Grinzinger Area – Total 7.8 sq mi (20.2 km2) – Land 7.8 sq mi (20.2 km2) – Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) 0.0% Elevation 771 ft (235 m) Population (2008) – Total 26,675 – Density 3,327.2/sq mi (1,284.3/km2) Time zone EST (UTC-5) – Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) ZIP codes 48804 (P.O. Box),
48858 (general delivery),
48859 (Central Mich. Univ.)Area code(s) 989 FIPS code 26-56020[1] GNIS feature ID 0632832[2] Website http://www.mt-pleasant.org Mount Pleasant is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Isabella County.[3] As of the 2000 census, the city population was 25,946. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 26,675.[4]
Part of the city (with a population of 8,741) is on the Isabella Indian Reservation, site of the Soaring Eagle Casino. The city is also home to the main campus of Central Michigan University.
Contents
History
White settlers first arrived in what is now Mount Pleasant after the Graduation Act of 1854, allowing white settlers to purchase land from the government at discount rates. The Treaty of 1855 relocated the Native American Ojibwa (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe) from Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River to land in Isabella County (Isabella Indian Reservation).[5] Many non-natives soon moved to Mount Pleasant predicting prosperous relations with the natives. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought many new settlers to Mount Pleasant to live on the free land that the government allowed them.
In 1875, a devastating fire started at the Fancher Building on the north corner of Broadway Street and Main Street. It eventually moved east down Broadway, destroying several buildings. Seven years later another fire would damage buildings on the south side of Broadway.
In 1879 the first library appeared in Mt. Pleasant Known as "The Library, Literary, and Musical Association of Mount Pleasant," the first books were the personal book collections of the board members.[5] In 1890 W.A. Jordan started Mount Pleasant Business College. Expanding in 1892, the school changed its name to Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the beginnings of what is now Central Michigan University.
On January 3, 1893, the U.S. government opened an Indian boarding school called the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School. It operated for 40 years, closing in 1933. 76 years later, on July 17, 2009, The White Bison Wellbriety Journey for Forgiveness made its stop to the Mount Pleasant community to recognize this part of Mount Pleasant's history. The building now stands abandoned.
In 1928, large quantities of oil were discovered to exist in the Mt. Pleasant area. A farm owned by the Lilly family was the first to strike, producing hundreds of barrels a day. Although oil resources would eventually diminish, their legacy is apparent in the Mt. Pleasant city seal, which bears an image of an oil drill. Mt. Pleasant High School's mascot, the Oiler, is also a reference to the city's long history with oil.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 square miles (20.2 km²), all land. The Chippewa River runs through the city. Mount Pleasant is located approximately 61 miles (98 km) north of Lansing, Michigan's state capital, along US 127.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 25,946 people, 8,449 households, and 3,126 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,327.2 per square mile (1,284.3/km²). There were 8,878 housing units at an average density of 1,138.5 per square mile (439.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.12% White, 3.67% African American, 1.54% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 8,449 households out of which 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 63.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 11.5% under the age of 18, 54.1% from 18 to 24, 16.9% from 25 to 44, 10.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,572, and the median income for a family was $43,927. Males had a median income of $32,004 versus $23,869 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,177. About 11.4% of families and 37.2% of the population (student population skews this statistic) were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
US 127 is a major north-south route connecting with Lansing and Jackson to the south and with Clare and Grayling on the north. 
Business US-127 (Mission Street) is a loop route traveling through the heart of the city, connecting with US-127 at either end. 
M-20 continues east to Midland and Bay City and west toward Big Rapids. Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport is located 2 mi (3.2 km) northeast of the central business district.
Education
- Central Michigan University
- Mid Michigan Community College-Mount Pleasant Campus
- Mount Pleasant High School
- Sacred Heart Academy
Local media
- Newspapers
- The Morning Sun (Daily)[6]
- Central Michigan Life (Monday, Wednesday, Friday during academic year. Wednesday only during summer)[7]
- Radio stations
- WMMI (830 AM) - Talk radio
- WCZY-FM (104.3 FM) - Adult Contemporary
- WCMU (89.5 FM) - CMU Public Radio
- WMHW (91.5 FM) - CMU College Student Radio/Modern Rock
- WCEN (94.5 FM) - Country music
- WCFX (95.3 FM) - Top 40
- WQOS-LP (98.9 FM) - Classic rock
- TV stations
- WCMU (Channel 14) - PBS
Famous residents
- John Engler, Former Michigan Governor
- Dan Pohl, Pro golfer
- Kelly Robbins, Pro golfer
Sister cities
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "Mount Pleasant Statistics". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3970380&_geoContext=01000US. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- ^ a b Cumming, John. This Place Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant, MI: J. Cumming, 1989.
- ^ "About The Morning Sun". The Morning Sun. http://www.themorningsun.com/aboutus.shtml.
- ^ "About Central Michigan Life". cm-life.com. http://www.cm-life.com/contact/.
- ^ http://www.mt-pleasant.org/links/sister.htm
External links
- City of Mount Pleasant Homepage
- Mount Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Mount Pleasant, Michigan at the Open Directory Project
- Mount Pleasant travel guide from Wikitravel
Municipalities and communities of Isabella County, Michigan County seat: Mt. PleasantCities Clare‡ | Mt. Pleasant
Villages Charter
townshipGeneral law
townshipsUnincorporated
communitiesIndian reservation Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Categories:- Cities in Michigan
- County seats in Michigan
- Populated places in Isabella County, Michigan
- University towns in the United States
- Micropolitan areas of Michigan
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
