Charlotte, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Charlotte is a city
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2010 census
, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat
of Eaton County
.
Charlotte is in the central portion of the county, on the boundary between Eaton Township
and Carmel Township
, though politically independent of both. Interstate 69
serves the city, and connects it to the state capital of Lansing. It is located 21.5 miles (34.6 kilometers) from downtown Lansing.
Charlotte was incorporated as a village on October 10, 1863 and as a city on March 29, 1871. It was designated as the county seat when Eaton County was organized in 1837; however, due to a lack of population and buildings, county functions were conducted at Bellevue
until 1840.
At various times Charlotte has had the unofficial names of Eaton Centre, and Carmel.
The Dolson automobile was manufactured in Charlotte from 1904 to 1907.
, the city has a total area of 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and approximately 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) is water.
Charlotte is situated on gently rolling prairie. The Battle Creek River
has its northern bend in the south part of the city, entering from the southeast and exiting to the southwest. The northern part of the city is part of the Thornapple River
watershed.
of 2000, there were 8,389 people, 3,249 households, and 2,124 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,403.8 per square mile (541.6/km²). There were 3,417 housing units at an average density of 571.8 per square mile (220.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.79% White, 0.94% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 1.07% from other races
, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.46% of the population.
There were 3,249 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples
living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,473, and the median income for a family was $45,759. Males had a median income of $31,573 versus $27,019 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,066. About 7.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
has two K-3 elementary schools, Parkview Elementary School and Washington Elementary School and 1 4-5 Upper Elementary School. It also has Weymouth Child Development Center, Charlotte Middle School and Charlotte High School
There are two parochial schools in the city. Charlotte Adventist Christian School serves grades 1 through 8 and is owned and operated by the Charlotte Seventh-day Adventist Church and is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education
system. St. Mary Elementary School is run by the Church of Saint Mary serves K-6 students.
There is one alternative education school, The Annex. In addition, special needs children are served by the Eaton Intermediate School District
.
For post-secondary students, Olivet College
is 10.4 miles (16.7 km) to the south and Michigan State University
is 25.2 miles (40.6 km) to the northeast. University of Michigan
is located 82.1 miles (132.1 km) southeast. Lansing Community College
is located 22 miles (35.4 km) to the northeast, and features cooperative relationships with a number of other Universities around the state.
Further education/training can also be obtained at the Southridge Vocational Center.
Band Revue from 1937–1991 (when Holland officials discontinued the Band Review) receiving their 50th First Division rating in 1989. The band has traveled to: Mexico
, Edmonton
, Chicago
, Washington, D.C.
, Florida
, Atlanta, St. Louis, Missouri
, Chattanooga, Tennessee
, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
, and Virginia Beach.
Of the eight National Band Festivals attended by the bands, Charlotte has been awarded Superior ratings consistently and has received six National Festival First Place awards.
The Charlotte Performing Arts Center (opened October 2004) is an 825-seat performance and instructional venue located at 378 State St. The auditorium is fully accessible with restrooms on all levels. The facility is fully air conditioned, and features an orchestra pit, "cushioned" stage floor, climate controlled storage, professional quality acoustical engineering, high-capacity electrical system for lights and sound with video projection capability on a large screen. The Charlotte Performing Arts Center hosts nationally-known events, as well as rental events and Charlotte Public School District events.
Bennett Park (1225 S. Cochran), Dean Park (526 W. Stoddard), Gateway Park (N. Cochran and Packard), Lincoln Park (Lincoln St. and W. Shepherd), Oak Park (230 St. Clinton/Seminary St.), Snell Park (Upland and E. Shepherd), Southridge Park (312 W. Third), and U.S. Veterans Memorial Park (1501 S. Cochran).
Lincoln Park contains a Skate Park and Disc Golf Course. By the water tower nearby (at 619 W. Shepherd) there is a sled hill and ice skating rink.
Tennis Courts and Gobel Football field are located at 1149 S. Cochran.
A popular sled hill known locally as Kane's Hill (named after the Kane family who lived nearby and operated Kane's Heating Services) is located on Gale St. between Church St. and E. Lovett St.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Eaton County
Eaton County, Michigan
Eaton County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 107,759. The county seat is Charlotte. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War under U.S. President Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties...
.
Charlotte is in the central portion of the county, on the boundary between Eaton Township
Eaton Township, Michigan
Eaton Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,278 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Five Points Corner is a named populated place south of the city of Charlotte at...
and Carmel Township
Carmel Township, Michigan
Carmel Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,626 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Five Points Corner is a named populated place south of the city of Charlotte at...
, though politically independent of both. Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
serves the city, and connects it to the state capital of Lansing. It is located 21.5 miles (34.6 kilometers) from downtown Lansing.
History
According to the book "Michigan Place Names" by Walter Romig, the area that would become Charlotte was owned by the U.S. Government until 1832 when George Barnes purchased the land. Barnes in turn sold the land to Edmond B. Bostwick, a land speculator from New York City three years later in 1835. Bostwick then sold a portion of the land to H.I. Lawrence, Townsend Harris and Francis Cochran. These four men can be credited for developing the village which they named after Bostwick's wife, Charlotte. Jonathan Searles became the first postmaster on March 17, 1838.Charlotte was incorporated as a village on October 10, 1863 and as a city on March 29, 1871. It was designated as the county seat when Eaton County was organized in 1837; however, due to a lack of population and buildings, county functions were conducted at Bellevue
Bellevue, Michigan
Bellevue is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,365 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Bellevue Township.-Geography:...
until 1840.
At various times Charlotte has had the unofficial names of Eaton Centre, and Carmel.
The Dolson automobile was manufactured in Charlotte from 1904 to 1907.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and approximately 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) is water.
Charlotte is situated on gently rolling prairie. The Battle Creek River
Battle Creek River
The Battle Creek River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a tributary of the Kalamazoo River, joining it at Battle Creek, Michigan....
has its northern bend in the south part of the city, entering from the southeast and exiting to the southwest. The northern part of the city is part of the Thornapple River
Thornapple River
The Thornapple River is an tributary of Michigan's longest river, the Grand River. The Thornapple is located in western Michigan. It joins the Grand in Ada, Michigan.- Description :...
watershed.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,389 people, 3,249 households, and 2,124 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,403.8 per square mile (541.6/km²). There were 3,417 housing units at an average density of 571.8 per square mile (220.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.79% White, 0.94% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 1.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.46% of the population.
There were 3,249 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,473, and the median income for a family was $45,759. Males had a median income of $31,573 versus $27,019 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,066. About 7.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Charlotte Public SchoolsCharlotte Public Schools
Charlotte Public Schools is a school district in Michigan. Dr. Nancy Hipskind is the current superintendent of schools. Charlotte is the county seat, with a population of approximately 8,500. The district covers an area of with a total enrollment of over 3,350 children...
has two K-3 elementary schools, Parkview Elementary School and Washington Elementary School and 1 4-5 Upper Elementary School. It also has Weymouth Child Development Center, Charlotte Middle School and Charlotte High School
There are two parochial schools in the city. Charlotte Adventist Christian School serves grades 1 through 8 and is owned and operated by the Charlotte Seventh-day Adventist Church and is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education
Seventh-day Adventist education
The Seventh-day Adventist educational system is the second-largest Christian school system in the world, after the Roman Catholic system ....
system. St. Mary Elementary School is run by the Church of Saint Mary serves K-6 students.
There is one alternative education school, The Annex. In addition, special needs children are served by the Eaton Intermediate School District
Eaton Intermediate School District
Eaton Intermediate School District includes portions of Eaton County, Barry County, Ionia County, and Ingham County in Michigan. Its offices are located in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan.-School Districts:* Charlotte Public Schools...
.
For post-secondary students, Olivet College
Olivet College
Olivet College is a coeducational, liberal arts college located in Olivet, Michigan, United States, south of Lansing and west of Detroit. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and accredited by the North Central...
is 10.4 miles (16.7 km) to the south and Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
is 25.2 miles (40.6 km) to the northeast. University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
is located 82.1 miles (132.1 km) southeast. Lansing Community College
Lansing Community College
Lansing Community College is a two-year public college founded in 1957. The college's main campus is located on an urban, 42-acre site in downtown Lansing, Michigan spanning seven city blocks approximately two blocks from the state capital...
is located 22 miles (35.4 km) to the northeast, and features cooperative relationships with a number of other Universities around the state.
Further education/training can also be obtained at the Southridge Vocational Center.
Charlotte School Bands
For almost 100 years the Charlotte High School Marching Band has been a major cultural icon for the city of Charlotte. What began as the dream of six Charlotte students in the early 1920s has exploded into a powerhouse music program of hundreds of 6th–12th grade students. The High School Marching Band participated in the Holland Tulip Time FestivalTulip Time Festival
Tulip Time Festival is an annual festival held in Holland, Michigan. Tulip festivals are held in many cities around the United States of America that were founded or largely inhabited by Dutch settlers. It has been held every year in mid-May since 1929 and is currently the largest tulip festival in...
Band Revue from 1937–1991 (when Holland officials discontinued the Band Review) receiving their 50th First Division rating in 1989. The band has traveled to: Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Atlanta, St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Gatlinburg had a population of 3,828. The city is a popular vacation resort, as it rests on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along U.S...
, and Virginia Beach.
Of the eight National Band Festivals attended by the bands, Charlotte has been awarded Superior ratings consistently and has received six National Festival First Place awards.
Transportation
Interstates
-
I-69Interstate 69Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas... -
I-69 Business Loop
Michigan Highways
-
Michigan Highway M-50 -
Michigan Highway M-79
Air
- In the northeast corner of the city is the Fitch H. Beach AirportFitch H. Beach AirportFitch H. Beach Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles northeast of the central business district of Charlotte, a city in Eaton County, Michigan, United States. According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013, it is categorized as a...
. - Scheduled passenger carrier flights are available at Capital Region International Airport, near the northeast corner of Eaton County.
Rail
- Charlotte was once serviced by the Grand Trunk Western RailroadGrand Trunk Western RailroadThe Grand Trunk Western Railroad is an important subsidiary of the Canadian National Railway , constituting the majority of CN's Chicago Division ....
& the Michigan Central Railroad. The original Michigan Central Railroad depot still stands at 430 N. Cochran Ave. and at various times has operated as a restaurant, ice cream parlor, and coffee shop.
Entertainment
A popular attraction is the Murder Mystery Dinner Train operated by the Old Road Railroad. While enjoying a leisurely trip through the countryside, a five course meal is served as theatrical entertainers perform a comical, and interactive murder mystery.Theatres
The Eaton Theatre opened as a single screen in 1930 and is located downtown (235 S. Cochran). It was closed for a short time in 1960 and was later twinned by Beechler Theatres. Built during the Art Deco era it was totally modernized when it was twinned. It still has the large square marquee and the vertical sign, however the balcony area was transformed into a separate upstairs room to house a second screen.The Charlotte Performing Arts Center (opened October 2004) is an 825-seat performance and instructional venue located at 378 State St. The auditorium is fully accessible with restrooms on all levels. The facility is fully air conditioned, and features an orchestra pit, "cushioned" stage floor, climate controlled storage, professional quality acoustical engineering, high-capacity electrical system for lights and sound with video projection capability on a large screen. The Charlotte Performing Arts Center hosts nationally-known events, as well as rental events and Charlotte Public School District events.
City Parks
The city of Charlotte has many wonderful parks. City Parks are open May 1 thru October 31. These include:Bennett Park (1225 S. Cochran), Dean Park (526 W. Stoddard), Gateway Park (N. Cochran and Packard), Lincoln Park (Lincoln St. and W. Shepherd), Oak Park (230 St. Clinton/Seminary St.), Snell Park (Upland and E. Shepherd), Southridge Park (312 W. Third), and U.S. Veterans Memorial Park (1501 S. Cochran).
Lincoln Park contains a Skate Park and Disc Golf Course. By the water tower nearby (at 619 W. Shepherd) there is a sled hill and ice skating rink.
Tennis Courts and Gobel Football field are located at 1149 S. Cochran.
A popular sled hill known locally as Kane's Hill (named after the Kane family who lived nearby and operated Kane's Heating Services) is located on Gale St. between Church St. and E. Lovett St.
Famous residents
- A. Whitney BrownA. Whitney BrownAlan Whitney Brown is an Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian probably best known for his recurring appearances on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s opposite Dennis Miller in a biting satirical...
– Comedian and writer, Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. - Brock GutierrezBrock GutierrezBrock Gutierrez is a National Football League offensive lineman who played for nine seasons in the NFL.-High School Years:...
– Former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player. - Eric MenkEric MenkEric Conrad Menk is a Filipino-American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barangay Ginebra Kings...
– Professional basketball player in Denmark and the Philippines. - Harry T. MoreyHarry T. MoreyHarry Temple Morey was an American stage and motion picture actor who appeared in nearly two hundred films during his career....
– Stage and film actor. - Wayne TerwilligerWayne TerwilligerWillard Wayne "Twig" Terwilliger is a former second baseman, coach, and manager in Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
– Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player and coach. - Rocco Moore- Former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player