Ann Arbor Undressed : Where did Ann Arbor get it's Name?

Ann Arbor ="25 miles surrounded by reality".....and a blog about it. ActiveRain.com

Where did Ann Arbor get it's Name?

Downtown Ann Arbor is characterized by architectural diversity as a result of the growth that began in the early 1800’s and has spread outward. When I first moved to Ann Arbor, I was amazed at the vibrancy of all the older buildings. Living in downtown Ann Arbor is a quality of life-style and the prices of homes in the downtown area are priced for the lifestyle they afford. I recently posted on how much Ann Arbor people like to walk.

There has been much debate through the years and history buffs disagree on how Ann Arbor got its name.

Huron River in Ann ArborLegend has it that Ann Arbor was named after the two mens wives, that founded Ann Arbor, two settlers named John Allen and Elisha Rumsey. They made their way from Detroit and registered the name AnnArbour after their wives. John’s wife was named Ann and Elisha’s wife middle name was Ann. The name was registered on February 12, 1824 as AnnArbour, because of the grape arbours and lush vegetation.

Originally registered AnnArbour, and later separated as Ann Arbor, it is the only place in the United States with that name. This is why when you do a Google Search you only have to put in Ann Arbor and not Michigan.

Local people abbreviate the name Ann Arbor to A2 and yes mail gets delivered using that ancronym.

A few interesting facts about Ann Arbor that you might not know:

In 1860, Ann Arbor had five hotels, one drug store and 10 saloons. But 1872, Ann Arbor had 8 hotels, five drug stores and 49 saloons.

The 1901-1905 University of Michigan football team, coached by Fielding H. Yost was known as the “point-a-minute” team. It had a record of 55-1-1. In the first Rose Ball Game in 1902, U of M defeated Stanford 49-0

In 1929, Ann Arbor had more cars and telephones per capita than any city in the world.

“Handel’s Messiah” has been performed annually in Ann Arbor since 1880.

The printed version of the letter Columbus sent to Queen Isabella of Spain in 1493, is part of the collection at the Clements Library on U of M. Campus.

Nickels Arcade, built in 1915 to 1918 is one of the few glass-roofed shopping arcades in the county.

Ann Arbor is one of only 11 cities that can boast of a Presidential library. The papers of President Gerald Ford comprise nearly 15 million pages and over a mile of shelving.

Walking tour map of historical sites

There is a walking tour of downtown Ann Arbor where you can see all the historical sites. There are 16 sites that are on display.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the author and the comments are the strict opinion of the commenter. No warranty is expressed or implied. Active Rain community is not responsible for the opinions given or Keller Williams Realty of Ann Arbor.



 

Missy Caulk, Ann Arbor Realtor

Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-926-9797 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

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Comments

Missy - Very interest facts about Ann Arbor.  I love walking tours, I get my execercise in while learning something new and interesting.
Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) about 4 years ago
Hi Missy: What great research on Ann Arbor. Lots of details.. I guess that I have to make your place my next vacation spot. Thanks for the info.
Posted by Donna Paul- Long Island Home Specialist Search for Long Island homes (Keller Williams Realty Greater Nassau) about 4 years ago
Missy, It sounds as though I would love Ann Arbor....and the historical walking tour.  Thanks for all the information, I enjoyed it!
Posted by Laura Cerrano and Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City/Feng Shui Manhattan ) about 4 years ago
Hi Missy! What a great town..I love reading and hearing about how towns are founded. I hope you all are finally thawing out up there.
Posted by Linda Scanlan (A Fan of AR) about 4 years ago
I was in the used book store on state street several years ago and happened across a book from the fifties that told th history of Ann Arbor. From what I can remember, One of the first settlers was named ann something and she had her homestead on the northeast side of town. The book stated that she and her husband built their home in a grove of trees. It read that she outlived her husband to an old age and the community decided to name the township after her Ann(s) arbor. Then later the village. Do you know how the wolverines got their name? That's a good story.
Posted by Short sale pathways about 4 years ago
And when I was little I always called it Aunt Arbor.  We went through a lot...  I lived in Jackson.  Thanks for the info.  I always wondered...
Posted by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Century 21 Results Realty) about 4 years ago
We lived in A2 for 3 yrs and I know why there were probably so many saloons - it was sooo cold!  I have never been so cold.  A2 does have an interesting downtown.  Lots of shops and restaurants.  I learned one thing the hard way - do not go across town on game day - you can't get back home! 
Posted by Bonnie Barbieri and The Bonnie Barbieri Team (Remax Marketing Specialists) about 4 years ago
Look at you Missy! This looks fantastic and I really enjoyed reading up on when Ann Arbor was  founded. Enjoy your week!
Posted by Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~ (Agent Referral) about 4 years ago

 

I am jealous that you can Google Ann Arbor and it is your city... I had heard it was the one man's wife's name.  I never heard A2 until meeting Karen on Twitter and the blogosphere. 

Posted by Maureen McCabe Columbus Ohio real estate (Real Living HER - HER Realtors) about 4 years ago

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