Lapeer, Michigan
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Lapeer ( ') is a
city A city is a human settlement of a substantial size. The term "city" has different meanings around the world and in some places the settlement can be very small. Even where the term is limited to larger settlements, there is no universally agree ...
in the
U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...
and is the
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
of Lapeer County. As of the 2020 census, the city population was . Most of the city was incorporated from land that was formerly in Lapeer Township, though portions were also annexed from Mayfield Township and Elba Township. Lapeer is in southern Michigan, east of
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Historically, flint was widely used to make stone tools and start ...
, on the Flint River.


History

By an ordinance of the Congress of the United States passed on July 13, 1787, the area lying northwest of the Ohio River, though still occupied by the British, was organized as the Northwest Territory. Lapeer County was once part of the Northwest Territory. In January 1820, the county of Oakland was formed, which served the area now known as Lapeer, until the County of Lapeer was formed in 1837, when Michigan became a state. The first elections were for county officers, with 520 persons voting in 1837. Folklore claims Lapeer was derived from the naming of the south branch of the Flint River, which flows northwestward in Lapeer County. French and Indian traders frequently passed over this section of the county and through the river, ultimately naming the city for the stone that lay at the river bottom. In French, stone is called "la pierre"; the English pronunciation of these words gives Lapeer. The river was named Flint, synonymous with stone. (See List of Michigan county name etymologies.) It is also believed that the first settlers who came from New York State may have brought the name Lapeer from a similarly named city in their home state. A third supposition is that French missionaries named the city Le Pere, meaning The Father. The first settlers in Lapeer were a group of men named Alvin N. Hart, Oliver B. Hart, and J.B. Morse. The most prominent of the three, Alvin N. Hart, was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, on February 11, 1804. He came to Lapeer in 1831 and platted the Village of Lapeer, November 8, 1833. The plat was registered in Pontiac on December 14, 1833, in the County of Oakland; four years before Michigan became a state and Lapeer became a county. Alvin N. Hart became a State Senator in 1843, representing Lapeer, Oakland, Genesee, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Saginaw Counties and the entire Upper Peninsula. He was instrumental in having the State Capitol relocated from Detroit to Lansing. Hart died on August 22, 1874, and is buried in Lapeer. The second group of settlers were Enoch J. White and his family. He was born in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 1814. He came to Lapeer in 1833. Of pioneer stock, Alvin N. Hart and Enoch J. White both had the initiative to start new communities. Mr. Hart formed Lapeer and Mr. White formed what was then known as Whitesville, which now consists of the western portion of Lapeer. A tamarack swamp once separated these two settlements. Other distinguished natives include John T. Rich, former governor of the state of Michigan; Louis C. Cramton, special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 1931 and 1932. He led studies of the area around the Colorado River that led to the establishment of the first National Recreation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area; Charles Potter, whose son became a U.S. Senator; William Reed, Big Ten Football Commissioner; and Marguerite deAngeli, internationally known writer of children's books. At one time, there were two courthouses. The White family erected one at the present site of the Old Lapeer High School at Main and Genesee Streets, while the Hart family erected one at Nepessing and Court Streets. The Board of Supervisors purchased the Hart courthouse for $3,000, which is now the oldest continuously running courthouse in the state of Michigan and one of the oldest 10 courthouses in the United States. White's courthouse later became the first school in Lapeer called Lapeer Academy. Over time, it became evident that the business district would be near the Courthouse, so the city's founders moved the Opera House piece-by-piece to its present location at the southeast corner of Court and Nepessing Streets in 1879. The building is now known as the White Block. Lapeer's first church was the Congregational Church; organized in 1833, the same year Lapeer was platted. The Methodist Episcopal Church opened its doors a year later, followed by the Baptist Church in 1858, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in 1866, the Universalist Church in 1873, the Methodist Protestant Church in 1877 and the Grace Episcopal Church in 1882. Lumbering was the sole industry in the early days of Lapeer. The flourishing lumber business attracted the New York Central Railroad and Grand Trunk Railroad. Lapeer later became the intersection to two state trunk lines: M-21 and M-24. Industries today supply the automotive industry with gray iron casting, molded plastics, plastic fabrics, electrical harnesses and stamping. On October 26, 2010, Lapeer became a founding member of the Karegnondi Water Authority. On August 15, 2012, the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot was won from a ticket sold at a
Sunoco Sunoco LP is an American master limited partnership organized under Delaware General Corporation Law, Delaware state law and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Dating back to 1886, the company has transformed from a vertically integrated energy ...
station in Lapeer. The jackpot had an annuity value of $337 million.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. It is considered to be part of
the Thumb The Thumb is a region and a peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, so named because the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Lower Peninsula is shaped like a mitten. The Thumb area is generally considered to be in the Central Michigan region, east of t ...
of Michigan, which in turn is a subregion of the Flint/Tri-Cities.


Climate


Demographics


2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 9,023 people, 3,652 households, and 1,898 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 3,921 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 81.7% White, 7.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4% of the population. There were 3,652 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% were married couples living together, 39.9% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19.3% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 52.0% were non-families. 42.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age in the city was 40.3 years. 18.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.8% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.6% male and 46.4% female.


2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,841 people, 3,446 households, and 1,927 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 3,956 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.6% White, 7.6% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population. There were 3,446 households, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.1% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.1% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age in the city was 36 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 11% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.


2000 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, there were 9,072 people, 3,443 households, and 1,979 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 3,658 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 89.91%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 5.95%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.47% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 1.09% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race were 3.33% of the population. There were 3,443 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.02. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $35,526, and the median income for a family was $42,872. Males had a median income of $36,731 versus $24,552 for females. The
per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the city was $16,608. About 8.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.


Government and infrastructure

The city levies an income tax of 1 percent on residents and 0.5 percent on nonresidents. Lapeer is a member of Karegnondi Water Authority and of the Greater Lapeer County Utilities Authority. Lapeer is served by the Lapeer District Library.


Notable people

* Thomas Carrigan – silent film actor * Marguerite de Angeli – writer and illustrator of children's books, including the 1950 Newbery Award-winning book '' The Door in the Wall'' * Roger Kish – wrestler and coach * Terry Knight – producer of music groups
Grand Funk Railroad Grand Funk Railroad (often shortened to Grand Funk) is an American rock band formed in Flint, Michigan, in 1969 by Mark Farner (vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica), Don Brewer (drums, vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass). The band achieved pea ...
and Bloodrock * Jake Long – University of Michigan offensive lineman and 2008 first overall NFL draft pick *
Terry Nichols Terry Lynn Nichols (born April 1, 1955) is an American domestic terrorism in the United States, domestic terrorist who was convicted for conspiring with Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing plot. Nichols was born in Lapeer, Michigan. ...
– Oklahoma City bombing conspirator * Victor Prather – set an altitude record for manned balloon flight in 1960 (held until 2012); helped develop the space suit * Rob Rubick – football player,
Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...
tight end The tight end (TE) is an offense (sports), offensive position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a receiver (football), receiv ...
* Jim Slater – professional hockey player for the
Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
* Kris Tamulis – professional golfer * Maxx Crosby – NFL Superstar,
Las Vegas Raiders The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Raiders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West ...
defensive end Defensive end (DE) is a defensive position in the sport of gridiron football. This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formation (American football), formations over the years have substantially ...
* Robert Barron - Joema Expert Analyst


Transportation

* Surly Bicycles


Major highways

* – runs east and west south of the city * – runs north and south through the city * – previously ran through Lapeer but its designation was removed east of Flint after the completion of I-69.


Rail and bus

Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Trade name, doing business as Amtrak (; ), is the national Passenger train, passenger railroad company of the United States. It operates intercity rail service in 46 of the 48 contiguous United Stat ...
, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Lapeer, operating its ''
Blue Water Maritime geography is a collection of terms used by naval military units to loosely define three maritime regions: brown water, green water, and blue water. Definitions The elements of maritime geography are loosely defined and their meanings hav ...
'' daily in both directions between
Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
and Port Huron. Greater Lapeer Transportation Authority (GLTA) is the local public bus system serving Lapeer and the surrounding area.


Media


Radio

The thumb area is an unranked radio area. Local radio in Lapeer includes WLCO AM, WQUS FM, and WMPC AM.


FM

* WMPC 106.9 FM, "Where many preach Christ" * WWBN 101.5 FM, Flint's Banana 101.5 * WNFR 90.7 FM, Port Huron, ''Christian Radio'' * WIDL 92.1 FM, Cass City * WBGV 92.5 FM, Marlette, ''Today's Best Country'' *WQUS 103.1 FM, Lapeer, "US 103.1" Classic Hits * WCZE 103.7 FM Harbor Beach / WHYT 88.1 FM Imlay City, '' Smile FM''


Online



Solid State Radio

WMPC Radio simulcast https://www.wmpc.org


AM

* WMIC 660 AM, Sandusky, ''The Thumb's Information Station'' (Daytime Only) *WMPC 1230 AM, Lapeer, ''Gospel 1230'' *WLCO 1530 AM, Lapeer, ''Real Country'' (Daytime Only)


Newspaper

* '' The County Press'' is a local newspaper, published Sundays and Wednesdays. * '' The Lapeer Area View'' is a free local newspaper, mailed to homes throughout the county every Thursday. * Daily editions of the ''
Flint Journal ''The Flint Journal'' is a quad-weekly newspaper based in Flint, Michigan, owned by Booth Newspapers, a subsidiary of Advance Publications. Published Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, it serves Genesee County, Michigan, Genesee, Lapeer ...
'', ''
Detroit Free Press The ''Detroit Free Press'' (commonly referred to as the ''Freep'') is a major daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest local newspaper owned by Gannett (the publisher of ''USA Today''), and is operated by the Detro ...
'' and ''
The Detroit News ''The Detroit News'' is one of the two major newspapers in the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United S ...
'' are also available throughout the area.


Television

Lapeer is in the
Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
and Flint television markets; Lapeer also receives most stations from the Flint-Saginaw-Bay City market. Charter Communications in Lapeer carry most Detroit channels and most major Flint/Tri-Cities channels.


References


External links


City of LapeerLapeer Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control Cities in Lapeer County, Michigan County seats in Michigan Populated places established in 1831 1831 establishments in Michigan Territory