Grand Rapids: Furniture CityNorma Lewis William Haldane opened a cabinet shop in 1836, 14 years before Grand Rapids incorporated. Other furniture companies followed: Berkey and Gay, Widdicomb, Sligh, Hekman, and Phoenix were among those taking advantage of the Grand River for transportation and power, the area's abundant hardwood supply, and a growing immigrant labor pool. The furniture soon attracted national attention. In 1876, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition proved conclusively that a river town in Michigan had indeed earned the title "Furniture City." Presidents Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower all worked at Grand Rapids-made desks. Fifteen manufacturers joined forces to build 1,000 Handley Page bombers during World War I. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945, at a table made in Grand Rapids. Despite fires, floods, strikes, depressions, and wars, Grand Rapids led the industry until the 1950s and 1960s, when the factories began moving to North Carolina. Today the area, along with nearby Holland and Zeeland, dominates the office furniture industry. |
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American Seating Company Antique Mall bedroom suite began Bentley Historical Library Berkey & Gay Berkey and Gay bombers Brass building buyers cabinets carved carver Charles Eames Charles Hekman city's Collections company specialized company's decorating DeKorne DePree desks employees Furniture City furniture industry Furniture Makers Guild Furniture Manufacturers Association Gay Furniture George Grand Haven Grand Rapids furniture Grand Rapids Public Grand River Haworth Hekman Furniture Company Herman Miller HILLSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Holland home furnishings Howard Miller Irwin Company Irwin Seating Company Kendall Kindel Furniture Company left to right Leonard Madison Washington mattresses Metal Office Furniture Miller Clock Company Mount Vernon Nelson Matter Nicolas Sarkozy Norma Lewis Office Furniture Company photograph was taken pieces president Public Museum Rapids Furniture Makers Rapids Public Library Rosloniec shown showroom Sligh Furniture Company Sligh Jr Steelcase Stickley Brothers Street style tables Terrell Dew-Fresh unidentified workers upholstery vegetables Widdicomb William Deacon Zeeland