Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids is a strong industrial and convention center. It owes its development and its name to the rapids of the Grand River, a place of gathering and exchange since Louis Campau established a trading post in 1826. The water power and transportation afforded by the river and the abundance of wood from the forests made the growth of the furniture industry almost inevitable. By 1900 the city was renowned as a producer of quality furniture, a reputation it still enjoys.
Indicative of the city's contemporary outlook is the downtown redevelopment center. Grand Center on Monroe Avenue includes large convention and exhibit halls. At Vandenberg Center, the Calder sculpture "La Grande Vitesse" pays homage to the rapids (vitesse). In contrast are the stolid lines of a century-old covered bridge that spans the Thornapple River at Ada, east of Grand Rapids via SR 21.
In the Heritage Hill Historic District is the three-story Victorian-style Voigt House. Built in the late 19th century, the opulent home retains the original furnishings of the Voigt family. In nearby Lowell is the James C. Veen Observatory.
Cultural offerings include broadway shows, community theatrical performances, ballets, Opera, and the Grand Rapids Symphony. Annual events include the Old Kent River Bank Run, one of the country's top road races which takes place in May; Festival which attracts some 500,000 attendees occurs in June; and the Celebration on the Grand held in September.
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