Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, a city of the United States of America, capital of Kent county in the state of Michigan. It lies on both sides of the Grand river, near the rapids, and 30 miles E. of Lake Michigan. The river is navigable to the city, and there are steamers to Grand Haven and Lake Michigan. The town possesses two public parks, a public library, scientific institute, etc. The river falls 18 feet in 14; miles, and the resulting water-power is utilised for the industries, of which the chief are furniture-, carriage-, and waggon-making, the manufacture of agricultural implements and machinery, the production of leather, beer and fruit, the making of bricks, and the quarrying of gypsum, which is abundeuit. Lumbering, too, is largely carried on.