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Lansing, Michigan

Located in Ingham County, Michigan, Lansing was established in 1835. Lansing was barely a settlement when chosen as capital — it was a compromise to keep the capital out of Detroit. Ransom Olds created America's first mass-produced car in Lansing in 1897.

Founded 1835 | Population 113,000 | Peak 113,000 (2024) | County Ingham County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Lansing, Michigan

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1847Becomes State Capital: Chosen as capital as compromise; was barely a settlement.

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1897Oldsmobile Founded: Ransom Olds creates America's first mass-produced automobile.

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1908GM Moves to Detroit: Auto industry shifts but Lansing keeps manufacturing.

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1970MSU Campus Grows: Michigan State in neighboring East Lansing becomes mega-university.

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2023EV Manufacturing: GM invests in electric vehicle production at Lansing plants.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1847 Government

Becomes State Capital

1897 Industry

Oldsmobile Founded

1908 Industry

GM Moves to Detroit

1970 Culture

MSU Campus Grows

2023 Industry

EV Manufacturing

Did You Know?

Lansing was barely a settlement when chosen as capital — it was a compromise to keep the capital out of Detroit.

Ransom Olds created America's first mass-produced car in Lansing in 1897.

Michigan State University in neighboring East Lansing has over 50,000 students.

Lansing is located in Ingham County, Michigan.

Lansing was founded in 1835.

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