Holland, Michigan
Holland is located in the lower peninsula of Michigan. It is partially situated in Ottawa and Allegan counties. Located as part of the municipality of Holland-Grand Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area, Holland has the seventh largest area amongst Michigan's metro cities.
Founded by Dutch Americans, the city has a sizeable number of Dutch American descendents. Throughout this city one will see, hear, and feel the palpable undercurrents of Dutch culture including the way people perceive religion, the way houses are built, and the general ambiance of public and private places.
Much like its contemporaries, Holland has constantly re-furbished itself to keep pace with the times, and not let go of its heritage. The modern day Holland is a happy and happening place, full of multi-ethnic people.
There are people who have lived here for generations. Holland is a melting pot of Dutch cultural activities. Visitors and the general public get to adore the numerous art galleries, shops, eating outlets, and more such daily-life specials.
Holland is recipient to numerous awards. It has been voted as second happiest place to live in America.
Welcome to the city of Holland, where you will be able to make just about anything happen. It has something to appeal to everyone's senses. The city is known for its ambient social atmosphere and its lively residents.
Holland History
In 1847, Dr. Albertus van Raalte, along with protestant secessionists settled in Holland. The number of people fleeing from the Netherlands and taking up refuge in Holland, Michigan, grew. These people were wanted by their country's government for conducting separatist movements in their native country.
Holland became a refuge-center for people being punished for seeking religious freedom. Such economically and religiously oppressed men, women, and children found a safe haven in the community. In 1847, a group of 60 people made a 47 day journey from Rotterdam.
Their first stop was New York. Soon they realized that waste lands were available in Michigan. When seeing the Black Lake, the group decided to make this their home. Dr. Albertus settled in Holland because the Black Lake was flowing through it. Because of the Black Lake's (Lake Macatawa) single route to Lake Michigan, it was an ideal place given the Lake's natural transportation route.
Dr. Albertus later justified his act saying that the movement of him and his secessionists were due to changing cultural paradigms in the Netherlands. He was averse to social decadents in his country. Some of these were contraception, usage of fertilizers, and vaccination. Another reason was the poor economic conditions that their country offered them, and their subsequent need to look for greener pastures.
Even in Holland's nascent historical times, transportation was given importance. Two railroads were commissioned by 1871. These railroads formed the basis of Holland's future trajectory into sustainable economic growth.
Shortly afterward, a fire struck leaving much of Holland's population with ruins for houses. Holland was financially broke. Yet, the citizens braved the hardships and helped make steady progress of the city. In a decade of development, Holland was revived. Public transportation, telephone lines, water systems, electrical grids, drive-worthy streets, and free postal service were the amenities introduced.
Dr. Albertus metamorphosed from a secessionist leader to a spiritual one. Resulting from this was the formation of the Reformed Church in America in 1847. After twenty years, in 1897, Holland had its city status and also a mayor.
Dr. Albertus ensured that plenty of churches were built in Holland. He wanted to drive home the message that God was the most important driver of all human action. That is why you will see so many churches in present day Holland. The 'City of Churches' is the sobriquet used to refer to Holland, and literally so. More than one hundred and seventy churches are present in Holland. They are affiliated to either the Reformed Church of America or the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
About Holland, Michigan
Holland is a place of uninterrupted beauty. Forbes Magazine has named it as one among the top five U.S. cities worthy of living in. Crime rates are low and many decide to retire to the area.
Holland has a local government that believes in continuous improvement. There is tremendous collaboration between public and private entities. Local businesses are also interested in the general welfare of Holland.
Holland's growth was not a fleeting affair. It was and is still being achieved through short term and long term planning. Holland's natural resources have actually augmented their resourcefulness thanks to active stewardship of the local government in this regard.
Holland is benefited by an equally supportive resident community. There are excellent schools, hospitals, and other civic organizations in this city.
There are plenty of areas of interest in Holland. Among them, Downtown, Midtown, Westside, Holland heights, Maplewood, and South End are well known areas. The Downtown area is the place where a majority of activities happen. You can witness plenty of people from all over the world come here and breathe in the freshness of modernity sans the ruthless urbanization. Midtown is located at the center of Holland. If Downtown is the mind, then Midtown is Holland's heart. At every opportunity, the city presents numerous corner stores. Dotting the city's urbanized layout, the corner stores present an aesthetic presentation of modernity.
And then there are the beautiful and artistic churches in Midtown that add so much value to the place. Along with churches, there are plenty of lush green parks to stroll in. Perfect for leisurely activities, Holland is a soul stirring city of urbanized bliss.
Midtown is one place visitors would love to be in, because they are welcomed that way. The local people are friendly and generously helpful. There would not be any instance when someone stopped for directions and was rewarded with a rude smirk.
From what was a primary establishment of Dutch settlers in America, is now a city of multiple ethnicities. Holland's local people have embraced this change with a positive attitude. Their progressive attitude is one of the chief reasons for the city's reputation of being a city with no strangers.
Holland, as much as it is adorable, and classy, is also an inexpensive place. Apart from being a great place to work in, Holland is also great to live in. It is also a safe place with the least accidents and crimes in America.
About Ottawa County, Michigan
Holland is divided across two counties: Ottawa County and Allegan County.
Ottawa is a county in the state of Michigan, with Grand Haven being the capital city of the county, or the county seat. It has two water bodies - Grand River, and Lake Michigan. It is bounded by Muskegon County to the north, Kent County to the east, Allegan County to the south, and Milwaukee and Racine Counties to the west. Ottawa has a generous mix of all races. The majority are Whites, followed by Blacks, Black-Americans, Asians, Native Americans, and other ethnicities. Out of the whites, more than thirty seven percent are of Dutch origin, followed by that of German origin. The Republican Party has strong roots of success in Ottawa County. Most candidates running for presidential elections from the Republican Party receive a majority of the votes from here.
Allegan County is a County in the state of Michigan, with a population of over one million. Allegan is the county seat of Allegan County. Allegan is located in the southern part of the County. Allegan is known for its agriculture and livestock activities. A lot of farming and agricultural developments happen here. Containing a small part of Holland, the County is also home to Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, both these cities are fast growing, making Allegan an urbanized agricultural place.
As the eighteenth largest county in the United States, and with around twenty four townships, Allegan County has more than twenty miles of land beside Lake Michigan. It is also a great place to be in summers, as plenty of fishing, swimming, water skiing, and many related activities happen here.
Henry Schoolcraft, a signified student of the Indians named Allegan County. Allegan's abundance of water was an attraction for eastern capitalists. They used the water ways of Allegan for lumbering. Extensive lumbering soon paved the way for agricultural activities. Allegan County is the leader among its counterparts in farm production. Agricultural produce is the highest here.