About MSA-AST

Take a virtual tour of Michigan

We invite you to take a virtual tour of the great State of Michigan.  Select a location on the map below to learn more.

Detroit 

Vernors was created in Detroit.  It became the first soda pop in the United States in 1862.  A pharmacist named James Vernor was trying to create a new beverage when he was called away to serve our country in the Civil War.  When he returned four years later, the drink he stored in an oak case had acquired a delicious gingery flavor.

Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in America to feature cage less open exhibits that allowed animals more freedom to roam.

http://www.michigan.gov/emi/1,1303,7-102-113_124---,00.html

Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first air conditioned car in 1939.

Henry Ford

Inventor Bio
Born in Wayne County, Michigan, Ford showed an early interest in mechanics, constructing his first steam engine at the age of 15. In 1893 he built his first internal combustion engine, a small one-cylinder gasoline model,  and in 1896 he built his first automobile. In June 1903 Ford helped establish  Ford Motor Company. He served as president of the company from 1906 to 1919 and from 1943 to 1945. In addition to earning numerous patents on auto mechanisms, Ford served as a vice president of the Society of Automotive Engineers when it was founded in 1905 to standardize U.S. automotive parts.

Berry Gordy, Jr.

Founder and owner of the Tamla-Motown family record labels, Berry Gordy, Jr., established Motown Records as one of the most important independent labels in the early '60s. Assembling an industrious staff of songwriters, producers, and musicians, Motown Records built one of the most impressive rosters of artist in the history of pop music and became the largest and most successful independent record company in the United States by 1964.

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Lansing

Became Michigan’s capital in 1847. 
Home to Michigan State University and the Spartans. 
East Lansing is the cultural and recreational center of mid-Michigan.
The city produces festivals, street concerts and special events for all ages. 

Claras restaurant in Lansing makes it's home at an old train station and is considered a landmark.  

Malcom X, a prominent member of Black Muslims grew up in Lansing, MI.

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Grand Rapids

Birthplace of Gerald R. Ford, our 38^th president.  Gerald Ford was an Eagle Scout when he was young and moved on to attend University of Michigan where he played football.  He served on a WW II aircraft carrier and afterward represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. 

From the lush sandy beaches of Lake Michigan to world-renowned cultural attractions, West Michigan offers a unique getaway. Muskegon. . .with 26 miles of pristine beaches, summer festivals and entertainment. Grand Haven. . .a picturesque harbor town with a boardwalk connecting downtown to its famous lighthouse and beaches. Holland. . .combines resort ambiance with Dutch culture and distinctive shops. 

And twenty-five miles to the east. . .Grand Rapids with culture, professional sports, and nightlife galore. Visit West Michigan for fun, fantasy, beauty and beaches

Links:
http://www.visitgrandrapids.org

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Frankenmuth

Known as “Little Barvaria” Host to 3 million visitors annually.  German immigrants came to Michigan and settled in Frankenmuth.  Family owned restaurants Zenders and Barvarian Inn serve family style ‘world famous’ chicken dinners in the German tradition.  Horse drawn carriage rides are offered to take you on a tour of this quaint city.  Bavarian music Festivals draw many visitors to Frankenmuth yearly.  

Home to Bronner’s, the world’s largest year round Christmas Store.

Links:
http://www.frankenmuth.org
http://www.bronners.com

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Soo Locks/Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1668 making it the oldest town between the  Alleghenies and the Rockies. 

The St.  Marys River is the only water connection between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes. There is a section of the river known as the St. Marys Rapids where the water falls about 21 feet from the level of Lake Superior to the level of the lower lakes. This natural barrier through navigation made necessary the construction of the locks project known as the St. Marys Falls Canal. 

The world-famous Soo Locks form a passage for deep-draft ships around the rapids in the St. Marys River. Before white men came to the area, the Ojibway Indians who lived nearby portaged their canoes around the "Bawating" (rapids) to reach Lake Superior from the St. Marys River. 

Early pioneers arriving in the territory were forced to carry their canoes around the rapids. In 1797, the Northwest Fur Company constructed a navigation lock 38 feet long on the Canadian side of the river for small boats. This lock remained in use until destroyed in the War of 1812. Freight and boats were again portaged around the rapids. 

Congress passed an act in 1852 granting 750,000 acres of public land to the State of Michigan as compensation to the company that would build a lock permitting waterborne commerce between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes. The Fairbanks Scale Company, which had extensive mining interests, in the upper peninsula, undertook this challenging construction project in 1853.  

In spite of adverse conditions, Fairbanks' aggressive accountant, Charles T. Harvey, completed a system of two locks, in tandem, each 350 feet long, within the 2 year deadline set by the State of Michigan. On May 31, 1855, the locks were turned over to the state and designated as the State Lock.

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Traverse City

Traverse City is located on the 45^th parallel.  Has 180.0 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.  Home to vintners who grow grapes and bottle wines on the scenic Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas.  

Traverse City is ranked 12^th in the top 50 golf destinations by Golf Digest magazine.  In July, Traverse City hosts the National Cherry Festival, which is a week long of activities for everyone. Marking the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse has guided sailors and their ships safely into the Manitou Passage, Straits of Mackinaw and Grand Traverse Bay for nearly 150 years.  From the fine art galleries to the street market to the riverfront boardwalk, shopping in Traverse City is meant to be an experience. Located parallel to the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay, the view from downtown is picture-perfect. In this relaxed setting, you can peruse unique, independently owned shops for everything from kites to antiques. Visit the bears at Clinch Park Zoo. Step back in time with a  stop at the Victorian-era City Opera House or the Con Foster Museum for a history lesson. When you need refreshment, pick up some sun-ripened local fruit from Selkirk's street market, discover one of the charming casual cafes or gourmet dining eateries or get a cold beer at the brewpub.

Today, one can tour the restored lighthouse resembling a keeper's home of the 1920's and 30's. Exhibits on area lighthouses, foghorns, shipwrecks and local history are located in the Lighthouse and Fog Signal Building. The restored air diaphone foghorn is demonstrated throughout the year, and visitors can climb the tower for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.  

Links:
http://www.mytraversecity.com

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Sleeping Bear Dunes

Benzie County is the smallest county in Michigan.  Boasts 60 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.  Home to Sleeping Bear Dunes.  Point Betsie Lighthouse, built in 1876 is the most photographed lighthouse on the Great Lakes.   Michigan has 116 lighthouses.  The dunes rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan.  Chamber of commerce:  http://www.visitbenzie.com

THE LEGEND OF THE SLEEPING BEAR

Long ago a great famine had spread over the land. Longingly, a mother bear and two famished cubs walked the shore on the Wisconsin side, gazing wistfully across the great lake at Michigan, which in those days was the land of plenty (as it is today). Finally hunger overcame their timidness and the bears launched out, trying to swim to Michigan. As they got closer and closer to the Michigan shore, the mother's words of encouragement urged on the weary cubs. When only twelve miles from the land of plenty, the mother's heart was rent as she saw a babe sink and drown. With the remaining cub she struggled to gain the beach. Two miles of slow dragging and the second of her beloved cubs also perished. 

The mother reached the beach, alone, and crept to a resting place where she lay down facing the restless waters that covered her lost ones. As she gazed, two beautiful islands slowly rose to mark the graves of the cubs. The Great Spirit Manitou created two islands (North and South Manitou Islands) to mark the spot where the cubs disappeared and then created a solitary dune to represent the faithful mother bear.

Links:
http://www.leelanau.com/dunes/dunes

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Mackinac Island and Bridge

NOVEMBER 1, 1957. The Mackinac Bridge, connecting Michigan's two peninsulas, opens. The project began in May 1954. The bridge's central span—3,800 feet between the towers— is the third largest such span in the world. The length between anchorages is 8,614 feet, making it the world's longest suspension bridge at this time. By 1989, two million vehicles annually will cross the bridge, and every Labor Day thousands of people will walk across the 26,444-foot-long structure.

Built where the waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron join, "The Mighty Mac," as it is called, is the longest suspension bridge in the United States. Both captivating and scary, the bridge pleases and terrorizes motorists as they traverse the five-mile spanse. Rising  high off the waters, The Mackinaw Bridge captivates its audience, drawing excited eyes miles before one ventures onto its enticing frame

Mackinac Island is home to Fort Mackinac, which the British soldiers constructed during the American Revolution.  Fort  Mackinac served as a sentinel in the straits of Mackinac for 115 years.  Mackinac Island State Park is the first state park and is known as the crown jewel of Michigan.  

Victorians made Mackinac Island the nations most favored summer resorts.  Visitors from Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit settled in on Mackinac Island.  The Grand Hotel was built in the 19^th  century to accommodate these settlers.  

Mackinac Island has 1780 acres of park land and is an 8.2 mile bike ride around 

The Island.  Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel is the setting of the movie,  “Somewhere in Time” with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves.

To this day, Mackinac Island has remained free of automobiles.  Horse and carriage or bicycles are the main means of transportation around the island.

Links:
mackinac.com

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Indian River

Indian River is the home to the worlds Largest Crucifix. Carved from a giant Oregon Redwood it stands 55 feet high and holds a 7 ton bronze sculpture of Christ.
Recently voted as Michigan's "Most Beautiful Place of Worship", You can stroll through some of Northern Michigan's most elegant gardens and shrines.

The Cross in the Woods is one of Michigan's best known and most visited shrines. We are pleased to make information on our beloved shrine accessible worldwide. 

The shrine is located at 7078 M-68, two minutes off I-75 exit 310 (Indian River). The Cross-in the Woods is staffed by Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis, MO. Province. 

For the most current information please call 231-238-8973, write to us at 7078 M-68, Indian River, MI 49749 or send an email to  crossinthewoods@nmo.net

Links: www.waterwonderland.com/indianriver/shrine.html

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