Michigan Fun Facts and Trivia

[neovox]

Vernors ginger ale was created in Detroit and became the first soda pop made in the United States. In 1862, pharmacist 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, 4 years later, the drink he had stored in an oak case had acquired a delicious gingery flavor.

[neovox]

In 1879 Detroit telephone customers were first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls.

[HuronMan]

In 1909, the stretch of Woodward Avenue between Six Mile and Seven Mile Roads became the first mile of road in the world to be paved with concrete.

[BraveSirRobin]

Standing anywhere in the state you are no more than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes.

[interfacemike]

The worlds FIRST urban-depressed freeway was the Davison. Ironically, it is the urban-depressed freeways that allow people to bypass the city all together and is a major contributor to the issue of city shrinkage. (I say this as I type from my suburban home in St Clair Shores).

[interfacemike]

The nations first traffic light was installed at Michigan and Woodward...though some historians disagree with this fact.

[neovox]

The city of Novi was named from its designation as Stagecoach Stop # 6 or No.VI.

[BobE]

Sault St. Marie is the third oldest remaining settlement in the United States.

[neovox]

Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska.

[Leechdemon]

Michigan and Ohio are the only two states to get into a military dispute, aside from the civil war. The dispute was over mineral rights in Toledo. Michigan ended up giving the rights to Ohio in exchange for the Upper Peninsula.

Toledo War