Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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'IONnEER HISTORY OF INGIIA3I (OIUNTY

to build the present State Cal;itol building and seven and onehalf squares besides the Capitol grounds were reserved for other
public purposes.
A paragraph in the book describing the business location of that
time as follows: "In the horseshoe formation made by the Grand
river is located section 16, upon which stands the State Capitol
and the main business center of the city. Another business center is located in the northern section of the city, upon the east
bank of the Grand river known as North Lansing, where a number of manufacturing establishments are located, as well as
many stores."
The growth of the city was stated as follows: "The population of
the city and township of Lansing in 1845 was 88; in 1850, 1,229;
and in 1855, 1,556. The city was organized in 1859 and its population by the census of 1860 was 3,085, and of the township, 497.
The population of the city in 1864 was 3,573, that of the township
remaining nearly the same, having fallen off 28 from the census of
1860. In 1870 the population of the city was 5,243, and of the
township 823-a total of 6,066. By that census the township
contained 183 voters and the city 1,230. At that time the city
was divided into only four wards. Of the total number of people
in the city, 4,403 were native born; 838 were foreign born; 77 colored, and there was one native born Chinaman. There were
1,065 dwellings and 1,091 families. The land about Lansing was
heavily timbered and anything but inviting to settlers. The first
railroad was built from Owosso to Lansing in 1862. The growth
of the city from the time of the location of the Capitol up to 1871
was slow and did not come up to the expectations. Many of the
residents feared that the city would lose the Capitol buildings and
it was not until the years of 1871 when the Legislature voted
$1,200,000 to be raised by taxation in six years for the building of
the State house, that the question of Lansing's retaining that position permanently was regarded as finally settled. Since that time
the population has steadily increased until at the present time,
April, 1873, the count is 8,556(. The future of the city may be
regarded as secure."
TELLS OF NATURAL ADVANTAGES.

In mentioning the natural advantages of the city, the book