A History of Northtown

Northtown was one of the first areas settled in Lansing, Michigan during the early 1840's.  In 1847, Lansing, Michigan became the state capital.   Grand River Avenue, a major thoroughfare of Northtown, developed as an Indian trail and later became a regular transportation route from Lansing to Detroit.   The Northtown neighborhood evolved as a result. 

Lansing developed rapidly during the early decades of the 20th century due in large part to automobile industry.  The Motor Wheel facilty due west of Northtown provided employment for many of the neighborhood's residents.  Indeed, those who lived in Northtown during the mid to late twentieth century recall the area being very diverse.  Many Mexican-Americans and other minority popualtions worked in the local factories and later purchesed real estate in Northtown.   During the 1970's and 1980's the automobile industry experienced considerable downsizing and the neighborhood suffered as a result.  In recent years, however, Northtown has witnessed attempts at revitalization.  An example of this is the former Prudden Industrial Building, which was renovated during the late 1990s and re-opened as the North Precint for the Lansing Police Department in 1999.  Additionally, new housing is being created on the periphery of Northtown.  One is the former Boys Training School site south of the neighborhood as well as the planned development on the former Motor Wheel site west of Northtown.