Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Sturgis
St Joseph County, Michigan
ZipCodes
49091
Page Contents for Sturgis, Michigan
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Community events.
Statistics & Facts
The Michigan state capital is Lansing.
The population of Sturgis is approximately 11,285 (2000), 10994 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 4,155 (1990), 4088 (2010).
The amount of land area in Sturgis is 13.15 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Sturgis to Washington DC is 502 miles.
The distance to the Michigan state capital is 77 miles. (as the crow flies)
Sturgis is positioned 41.80 degrees north of the equator and 85.42 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Sturgis elevation is 924 feet above sea level.
Location
in southwest Michigan south and slightly east of Kalamazoo.Return to Index
History & History Related Items
Sturgis Township was originally an area of about 3,000 acres. It was divided up into Fawn River and Sherman Townships. The Sturgis Township was part of Sherman until 1845. Judge John Sturgis & George Thurston came to St Joseph County in August of 1827. They cleared 10 acres & planted wheat, then returned to Monroe, MI until the Spring of 1828. When Judge Sturgis returned, he brought his family & built a log cabin in what is now known as Maplecrest.
How was Sturgis named? There are several versions about the naming, but the most probably is because of a pan of bisquits! John Sturgis was the first settler in this area and many say that the town was named for him, but legend has it that Sturgis was chosen as the town's name because Mrs. John Sturgis has baked a pan of bisquits and sent them to a surveying party near their cabin. Lewis Cass, who later became governor, was part of that surveying party. When the time came to name the town, Governor Cass remembered the bisquits and was insistent that the town be named Sturgis rather than Sherman & Ivanhoe which were the common names for the two areas of the town.
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The incorporation of Sturgis
1896Attractions
Sturgis Toy Run
Annual Event
Wiesloch, Germany - Sister City of Sturgis, Michigan. (Webpage is in German)
Learn more about Sturgis at this community page.
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Sturgis City Government
City of SturgisCity Hall
130 N. Nottawa
Sturgis, MI 49091-1433
Phone: 616-651-2321
Email: sturgis@2mm.com
Sturgis has a Council-Manager for of government. Nine Councilmen are elected, one of which is selected to become the Mayor.
Sturgis Historical Events
1955The Sturges-Young Civic Auditorium was built. The High School Class of 1955 was the first to hold their baccalaureate in the building.
1919
The William C. Grobhiser Estate donated $ 250,000 to the city for the city hospital which was completed in 1929.
1896
The City of Sturgis was incorporated.
1863
With a population of 1,600 residents, Sturgis also has 4 churches, 3 lodges, 14 manufacturers, 12 stores, an iron factory, a private bank and a flour mill.
1861, 24 August
The 11th Michigan Infantry, Company C was formed. 836 men served in the Civil War from 1861 to 1866.
1859
Fire destroyed all the business establishments on the south side of Chicago Road form Nottawa St. to North St.
1855
Sturgis was incorporated as a village.
1844
The first newspaper "The Republican" was published. It later became the "Sturgis Journal."
1833
The first school house was built. It was log construction & located south of Chicago Rd on the east side of Nottawa.
1831
The first frame house was built. The county court adopted a seal. It was a sheaf of wheat, a Marino & a pair of scales.
Sturgis Chamber
Sturgis Chamber of Commerce113-A North Monroe
P.O. Box 189
Sturgis, MI 49091
Phone: 616-651-5758
Voice Mail: 616-651-1655 ext. 3333
Fax: 616-651-4124
Email: sturgischamber@charter.net
Sturgis Community Events
May each yearOfficial Kick-Off City for Michigan Week 2003 44th year Michigan Week/Gateway Festival
Sturgis Organizations
Sturgis Chamber of Commerce113-A North Monroe
P.O. Box 189
Sturgis, MI 49091
Phone: 616-651-5758
Voice Mail: 616-651-1655 ext. 3333
Fax: 616-651-4124
Email: sturgischamber@charter.net
Sturgis Libraries
The Sturgis Library255 North Street
Sturgis, Michigan 49091
Phone: 616-659-7224
Email: sturgis@monroe.lib.mi.us
Hours: Winter: M-Th 9:30 am - 8:00 pm, F 9:30am -5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am - 2:00 pm, Sun 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm : Summer M & Th 9:30 am - 8:30 pm, T,W & F 9:30 am- 5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am - 12:30pm
librarian: Susan Wess, Director (as of 2-2002)
Sturgis Schools
Sturgis Public School District216 Vinewood Ave
Sturgis, MI 49091-2364
Phone: 616-659-1502
HIGHER EDUCATION
Glen Oaks Community College
62249 Shimmel Road
Centreville, Michigan 49032-9719
Phone: 616-467-9945
Toll-free: 888-994-7818 Sturgis
Miscellany
The population of Sturgis was:1990 - 10,130
2000 - 11,285
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