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Inhabited since this time by Native Americans.

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In the 1600s, the Chippewa and Ottawa nations took over Saugenah Valley and settled in the Sauk villages.

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The French missionaries reached the area of Saginaw in the 17th century. The French then controlled the territory consisting of the present-day state of Michigan until it was ceded to the British following the Seven Years' War in 1763.

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War of 1812. The Chippewas, who were the Native Americans that inhabited this area were sided with the British and were hostile to American settlers.

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Louis Campau, a French Canadian voyaguer, came and established the first trading post on the Saugenah River.

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Louis Campau (August 11, 1791 - April 13, 1871), also spelled Louis Campeau, was an important figure in the early settlement of Saginaw and Grand Rapids - two important Michigan cities in which he had established trading posts. Campau was also involved in negotiations between the local Native Americans and the federal government, including the Treaty of Detroit signed in 1855 by the local chief, Cobmoosa.

Charles H. Moore, Portraits of Louis Campau (1791-1871) and Sophie de Marsac Campau (1807-1869), 1852. The painting is in the Grand Rapids History & Special Collections of the Grand Rapids Public Library.

Campau was born in 1791 in Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the prominent Campau family who were of French heritage. He began working the fur trade as a boy for his father, Louis Campau, Sr., and his uncle, Joseph Campau. During the War of 1812, he served under the United States Army.

His wife was Sophie Marsac, also born in Detroit. Sophie was the daughter of René Marsac, an early and notable family from New France. The Sophie de Marsac Campau Grand Rapids Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was created in her memory and in so doing "perpetuated the name of a woman of rare grace and character who was held in high esteem by the early pioneers."

A 1772 engraving of a man from an Odawa (Ottawa) tribe.

He established the first trading post at what is today Saginaw, Michigan, as early as 1815. He played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819. This Treaty was made between Gen. Lewis Cass and Native American tribes of the Great Lakes region (principally the Ojibwe, but also the Odawa (Ottawa) and Potawatomi) of Michigan. Native Americans ceded more than six million acres (24,000 km²) in the central portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

A sketch of Grand Rapids in 1831. The collection of houses across the river on its west side is the Baptist mission. The three buildings in the middle right are Louis Campau's trading post.

Shortly after, Isaac McCoy, a Baptist minister, established a mission station in what was to become Grand Rapids, Campau arrived in the area at the suggestion of William Brewster, a fur trader with American Fur Company, who was his competitor. Campau became known as the official founder of Grand Rapids.

In 1826, Campau built his cabin, trading post, and blacksmith shop on the east bank of the Grand River near the rapids, where he found that the area Native Americans were "friendly and peaceable". Campau traveled to Detroit and returned a year later with his wife and $5,000 of trade goods to trade with the Odawa and Ojibwa for fur. Campau's younger brother Touissant would often assist him with his enterprise.

An 1833 plat map of Grand Rapids, depicting the two villages created by Louis Campau and Lucius Lyon that abutted at Pearl Street. Lyon followed the English grid system and Campau's plat followed Native American trails.

In 1831, a federal survey was performed of the Northwest Territory and land was offered for sale. Campau bought 72 acres around his trading post and near the Baptist mission for $90 on September 19 of that year. Living at the post were his wife and several members of his family. Some of his brothers and nephews followed him to Grand Rapids. One year later, government surveyor Lucius Lyon purchased land north of Campau's property. Campau surveyed and platted the village following Native American trails. Lyon had platted his property in an English grid format, which meant that there were two adjoining villages, with different platting formats. Campau had formatted his village streets with a row of 16 abutting row houses on Pearl Street that bordered Lyon's village, which made travel through the two villages cumbersome. Travelers had to go north to Division Street to cross into Campau's village.

Campau, who was described as short-tempered, and Lyon also disagreed about the naming of the town when it was platted. Lyon wanted to call it the village of Kent rather than Grand Rapids. Lyon and land speculators from New York had formed the Kent Company, which was named for judge James Kent in New York, and were interested in land development along the Grand River.

Although Lyon was able to obtain land near the river and created Canal Street to meet up with Campau's Monroe Avenue, eventually the Kent Company was "forced out of existence". The two villages were merged by Campau under the name of Grand Rapids. It was officially incorporated in 1838 and became a city in 1850.

Map of the pre-statehood Indian trails. The Sauk Trail is also known as Chicago Road

In October 1883, he was the first settler in Kent County, Michigan to buy land from the White Pigeon land office, which was located on the Chicago Road (known earlier as the Sauk Trail) that linked Chicago and Detroit.

Both Louis and his brother Antoine were involved in treaty negotiations that made them a lot of money. Louis was involved in the Treaty of Denver in 1855, and he received a sizeable payout for the negotiations. The Treaty of Detroit with the federal government meant that one of the signers, Cobmoosa, would relocate with his tribe from the Grand Rapids area to Oceana County, Michigan. The treaty was signed by 54 other leaders of Odawa and Chippewa tribes in Detroit. In exchange for their ancestral lands, roughly $540,000 in cash and goods were split among all of the represented tribes. Much of it went to "white friends", like Campau; $500 went to the chiefs and $100 to headmen. It was to be paid out over 10 years.

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Louis Campau (August 11, 1791 - April 13, 1871), also spelled Louis Campeau, was an important figure in the early settlement of Saginaw and Grand Rapids - two important Michigan cities in which he had established trading posts.

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Saginaw Treaty of 1819. Reservation land was promised to the Natives who did not want to give up the land of Saginaw to the federal government.

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Map of the City of Saginaw in the 1830's. Saginaw Began to increase in population. Between 1830 and 1840, Saginaw increased in population by 175,000 people.

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Saginaw Township was organized on March 2, 1831.

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In 1836, the city of Saginaw was founded by Norman Little. At this time, the population was 400 people, but grew to 900 because of German immigrants settling here.

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 - Golden Shovel Agency, www.goldenshovelagency.com

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The County of Saginaw is located in Mid-Michigan, in the Great Lakes Bay Region that includes Saginaw, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, and Midland Counties. It's comprised of hundreds of square miles of excellent agricultural land, forests, waterways, and manufacturing areas. Saginaw is a community truly situated at the center of Michigan and all of its attractions.

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Saginaw County was the leading lumbering area in Michigan during this time

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Discover how Saginaw became the lumber capital of the world.

The Saginaw Valley was the leading lumbering area in Michigan between 1840 and 1860. Rapid growth continued, and by 1869, the Saginaw Valley alone was earning $7 million yearly. By 1870, the lumber industry was the country's largest employer and the Saginaw Valley boasted 80 sawmills. Despite predictions, these "boom times" would last 50 years or more, but it all ended as suddenly as it began.

The Museum brings this period to life with its extensive collection of historic images, tools and equipment, log marks and other artifacts on lumbering. Learn about the logging process, what life was like in the logging camp, where the prominent sawmills were located in Saginaw and how the logs were transported both by land and by water.

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Lumbering in Saginaw | The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History

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The Museum brings lumbering period to life with its extensive collection of historic images, tools and equipment, log marks and other artifacts on lumbering.

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First road to Saginaw was completed.

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In 1845, Frankenmuth settled. The German word “Franken” represents the Province of Franconia in the Kingdom of Bavaria, and the German word “Muth” means courage, thus the city name Frankenmuth means “courage of the Franconians”. The purpose of settling here was due to religious ideas. It was to be an exclusively German Lutheran community.

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The Saginaw, Black River, and Swan Creek Chippewa Treaties were founded. The Saginaw, Swan Creek, and Black River Chippewas were victims of the unforeseen economic crisis in 1837, and soon thereafter worked with the Indian office to facilitate land sales according to earlier treaties. As Indian policy shifted away from removal in the early 1840s and 1850s, they acted to construct deals with the federal government that would allow them to remain in Michigan on their own terms.

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In 1882, Saginaw Country was at it highest point of their lumber era. Along the Saginaw River, 1,001, 274, 905 feet of timber was cut down. Years following Saginaw's peak, many people went on strike to advocate for better workdays. During this time, salt production grew immensely, along with the county's population. Eventually, lumber started to decrease.

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Early Beginnings

The first recorded European visitor was Father Henri Nouvel in 1675, a Jesuit Priest from St. Ignace. From 1675 to 1819, the original residents of the Saginaw area consisted of the Sauk and Chippewa Indian tribes, as well as European fur trappers and traders. In 1819, a permanent settlement was established, and families began to arrive in Saginaw. 1819 also saw the treaty of Saginaw signed. It was three years later, in 1822, that Fort Saginaw was established, only to be abandoned the next year by the military. The Commander stated, "Nothing but Indians, muskrats, and bull frogs could possibly subsist here." Yet only one year later in 1824 Saginaw territory was organized and then attached to Oakland County for judicial purposes. In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville visits the Saginaw area on horseback. "No sound was heard but the annoying hum of mosquitos and the stamp of our horses' feet . . . Not a garden spot yet . . ." were his comments.

Saginaw Township (including the entire county and adjacent land) was organized in 1830. A January 28, 1835, act organized Saginaw County (which then included Bay County) as an official county. 1837 saw the first school district organized. It was located on Court St., near the courthouse, which itself was built in 1839. The plot on which the courthouse sits was permanently donated for public use only.

In 1845, German Lutherans from Franconia, of the Kingdom of Bavaria, come to settle. One of the missions becomes Frankenmuth. Only two years later, the first shipment of Saginaw Pine is sent to New York, which triggers demand out East for the high quality timber. In 1850 Norman Little built a plank road from Flint to Saginaw. East Saginaw expands more rapidly than Saginaw City, which is on the West. At this point, there was still no bridge for easy river crossing.

Timber Boom

The Saginaw County population in 1850 was 2,609. 34 years later, after the timber boom, the 1884 census recorded a whopping 75,813. During that time, East Saginaw (not yet part of Saginaw as it is known today) had grown to incorporate other small villages in the area. These small villages included: Salina; once at Center Avenue and S. Washington, South Saginaw; separated from East Saginaw by Hoyt Park and Webber Avenue, and The Village of Florence; South of Genesee Avenue, on the west side of the river.

By 1863 Saginaw had its first high school, Central School, located on Court Street. The next year brought the first bridge across Saginaw River, Genesee Bridge (toll bridge). In 1869 actress Marie Dressler was born in Saginaw.

1882 was the peak year of Lumber Era: 1,001,274,905 boardfeet of timber cut in mills along the Saginaw River. But in three years time, there was a strike among workers in sawmills, demanding a 10-hour work day, organized by the Knights of Labor. Eventually, the National Guard was called out to maintain peace. The strike dwindled away, with mill owners gaining control over workers. Salt production flourished during the lumber boom. Waste from the sawmills was used to make salt from brine water. This was no longer profitable after the lumber industry declined.

In 1894 Riverside Park opens on Green Point. Merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, balloon ascensions, pavilion dancing, all served by Union St. Railway. None of which remains now. 'After the Ball' a famous 1890s Waltz was written by a bellhop in the Bancroft Hotel.

The First Half of the 20th Century

1899 saw new industries developed after the lumber era. The first sugar beet factory in Saginaw was located at S. Jefferson and Rust. By 1903 Saginaw County had 11 operating coal mines employing 1,500 people. 1905 gave us the first car produced in Saginaw (at N. Washington and 6th Street); the Ranier. Five years later, in 1910 the Argo Electric Car was produced on S. Jefferson Avenue. In 1916 the 'Yale Eight' was produced by Saginaw Motorcar Company. The Lehr produced by Lehr Motor Co. on River St.

In 1917 the state of Michigan first ordered Saginaw to build a sewage disposal system (other than the river). Later, a court order forces compliance in 1953. To provide drinking water, Saginaw drilled wells and provided pumps. Everyone had to pump and haul drinking water until 1948. In 1918 'The Peninsular' automobile was produced at Washington and 6th Street. Two trucks were produced in Saginaw, Nelson Brothers Motor Truck Co. and Ruggles Truck, in Carrollton.

In 1927 Saginaw Airport Co. formed the first commercial airfield on Janes Road. From 1928 to 1931 Paramount Aircraft Co. produced planes with pontoons for water landing. The landed test flights on the Saginaw River.

In 1933 During the Bank Holiday in the Depression, Morley Brothers loaned money to Saginaw so it could make its payroll.

In 1941 and 1942 Tri-City Airport was built by the Federal Government to serve as a pilot training field during WWII. German prisoners were housed in barracks there.

In 1950, Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw.

For even more information on the history of Saginaw, check out the Castle Museum!

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The Saginaw County population in 1850 was 2,609. 34 years later, after the timber boom, the 1884 census recorded at 75,813.

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By this time Saginaw's lumber had been depleted, causing a loss of jobs for the population of this area. During this time resources were being put into creating new jobs. Companies were relocating to Saginaw because of the surplus of workers. For a brief period of time Saginaw made a significant amount of pianos. Although piano manufacturing was never a dominant industry for Saginaw, it provided a transition period from lumbering to the automobile industry.

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Since 1979, the Castle Building has been preserved by the Historical Society of Saginaw County and is home to the award-winning Castle Museum of Saginaw County History. Within its walls, you will discover a celebration of the diversity and richness of the community's heritage through dynamic exhibits and programs.

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Permanent Exhibits | The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History

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The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History has several digital exhibits for you to learn about Saginaw's unique past. Explore photos and stories online now!

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In 1899, new industries were rising. Some of these industries were a Sugar Beet Factory and over ten coal mines. This was after the lumber era came to a close.

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Early Beginnings

The first recorded European visitor was Father Henri Nouvel in 1675, a Jesuit Priest from St. Ignace. From 1675 to 1819, the original residents of the Saginaw area consisted of the Sauk and Chippewa Indian tribes, as well as European fur trappers and traders. In 1819, a permanent settlement was established, and families began to arrive in Saginaw. 1819 also saw the treaty of Saginaw signed. It was three years later, in 1822, that Fort Saginaw was established, only to be abandoned the next year by the military. The Commander stated, "Nothing but Indians, muskrats, and bull frogs could possibly subsist here." Yet only one year later in 1824 Saginaw territory was organized and then attached to Oakland County for judicial purposes. In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville visits the Saginaw area on horseback. "No sound was heard but the annoying hum of mosquitos and the stamp of our horses' feet . . . Not a garden spot yet . . ." were his comments.

Saginaw Township (including the entire county and adjacent land) was organized in 1830. A January 28, 1835, act organized Saginaw County (which then included Bay County) as an official county. 1837 saw the first school district organized. It was located on Court St., near the courthouse, which itself was built in 1839. The plot on which the courthouse sits was permanently donated for public use only.

In 1845, German Lutherans from Franconia, of the Kingdom of Bavaria, come to settle. One of the missions becomes Frankenmuth. Only two years later, the first shipment of Saginaw Pine is sent to New York, which triggers demand out East for the high quality timber. In 1850 Norman Little built a plank road from Flint to Saginaw. East Saginaw expands more rapidly than Saginaw City, which is on the West. At this point, there was still no bridge for easy river crossing.

Timber Boom

The Saginaw County population in 1850 was 2,609. 34 years later, after the timber boom, the 1884 census recorded a whopping 75,813. During that time, East Saginaw (not yet part of Saginaw as it is known today) had grown to incorporate other small villages in the area. These small villages included: Salina; once at Center Avenue and S. Washington, South Saginaw; separated from East Saginaw by Hoyt Park and Webber Avenue, and The Village of Florence; South of Genesee Avenue, on the west side of the river.

By 1863 Saginaw had its first high school, Central School, located on Court Street. The next year brought the first bridge across Saginaw River, Genesee Bridge (toll bridge). In 1869 actress Marie Dressler was born in Saginaw.

1882 was the peak year of Lumber Era: 1,001,274,905 boardfeet of timber cut in mills along the Saginaw River. But in three years time, there was a strike among workers in sawmills, demanding a 10-hour work day, organized by the Knights of Labor. Eventually, the National Guard was called out to maintain peace. The strike dwindled away, with mill owners gaining control over workers. Salt production flourished during the lumber boom. Waste from the sawmills was used to make salt from brine water. This was no longer profitable after the lumber industry declined.

In 1894 Riverside Park opens on Green Point. Merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, balloon ascensions, pavilion dancing, all served by Union St. Railway. None of which remains now. 'After the Ball' a famous 1890s Waltz was written by a bellhop in the Bancroft Hotel.

The First Half of the 20th Century

1899 saw new industries developed after the lumber era. The first sugar beet factory in Saginaw was located at S. Jefferson and Rust. By 1903 Saginaw County had 11 operating coal mines employing 1,500 people. 1905 gave us the first car produced in Saginaw (at N. Washington and 6th Street); the Ranier. Five years later, in 1910 the Argo Electric Car was produced on S. Jefferson Avenue. In 1916 the 'Yale Eight' was produced by Saginaw Motorcar Company. The Lehr produced by Lehr Motor Co. on River St.

In 1917 the state of Michigan first ordered Saginaw to build a sewage disposal system (other than the river). Later, a court order forces compliance in 1953. To provide drinking water, Saginaw drilled wells and provided pumps. Everyone had to pump and haul drinking water until 1948. In 1918 'The Peninsular' automobile was produced at Washington and 6th Street. Two trucks were produced in Saginaw, Nelson Brothers Motor Truck Co. and Ruggles Truck, in Carrollton.

In 1927 Saginaw Airport Co. formed the first commercial airfield on Janes Road. From 1928 to 1931 Paramount Aircraft Co. produced planes with pontoons for water landing. The landed test flights on the Saginaw River.

In 1933 During the Bank Holiday in the Depression, Morley Brothers loaned money to Saginaw so it could make its payroll.

In 1941 and 1942 Tri-City Airport was built by the Federal Government to serve as a pilot training field during WWII. German prisoners were housed in barracks there.

In 1950, Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw.

For even more information on the history of Saginaw, check out the Castle Museum!

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John T. Rainier started the Rainier Motor Car Co. in Flushing, NY but was persuaded by Saginaw businessman E. A. Robertson and lumberman Arthur Eddy to move to Saginaw in 1907. They gave him the old Mershon-Schutte-Parker lumber mill on 6th and Washington and $100,000. The Rainer cars were expensive for the time and its luxury model the Landaulet sold for $5800 and the company closed in 1909.

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This was called the General Motors Gun Plant in Saginaw. This was a huge manufacturer, especially for WWII. Steering Gear Plant 2 was named the GM Gun Plant unofficially by the workers and engineers who helped oversee its construction and production of the machine guns from 1940 until 1945. The Gun Plant was an important member of the United States War effort during WWII.  This plant was responsible for the manufacturing of the Browning 1919 machine guns and later M1 Carbine semi-automatic rifles.

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James Hoy Letter during WWII To his wife, Saginaw, Mich., from Bebra, Germany, July 31, 1945. Comments were written on occupation duty in Germany. Part of a collection of letters written by servicemen during the war to friends and relatives throughout the United States. Ted Malone appealed to listeners of his radio program on behalf of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection to donate letters they had received during World War II.

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In the 1950s, I-75 was built. This made traveling to Saginaw and Frankenmuth easier. Along the Cass River, a dike was built that helped with flooding and made expanding the surrounding areas easier as well.

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The Making of Frankenmuth

Significant dates in history:

1845... Frankenmuth settled.

1854... Frankenmuth township created.1856... Exchange Hotel built (today Zehnder's Restaurant)

1862... Cass River/Geyer's Brewery built.

1868... Local German mutual aid insurance organization created, later developed into today's Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company.

1874... Star of the West Milling Company formed joining hundreds of flour mills across rural 19th century Michigan. Today, Star of the West is just one of a handful of mills operating in 20th Century Michigan.

1880 - 1900... Fischer Hotel (later Bavarian Inn), Kerns Commercial House, Stahl's Eagle Hotel, Goetz Hotel, and Hotel List built.

1899... Mrs. Kern (Commercial House) served "all you can eat" chicken to a bridal party from Saginaw.

1899... Frankenmuth Brewing Company founded. Later became Carling Brewing Company, Carling-National, and G. Heileman Brewing Company.

1901... State decrees separation of local tax support from St. Lorenz Lutheran School.

1904... Village of Frankenmuth Incorporated.

1927... Zehnder's purchased Exchange Hotel.

1945... Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland founded.

1950's... I-75 constructed, providing easy access to the area. A dike was built along the bank of the Cass River, controlled annual floods allowing expansion of the downtown area.

1957... Rupprecht's Sausage was the first building built in the "Alpine-style" architecture. The building was built in 1948. It is now Willi's Sausage.

1958/59... Zehnder family redecorated the Fischer Hotel in the "Alpine-style" architecture, renaming it the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn.

1959... City of Frankenmuth incorporated.

1959... Bavarian Inn Grand Opening (later developed into annual Bavarian Festival.)

1960 & current... More buildings adopt Alpine-style architecture.

1962... Frankenmuth became third city in America to join the People-to-People program. Frankenmuth chose Gunzenhausen, Germany, as Sister City.

1963... Civic Events Council formed to organize and manage Bavarian Festival.

1969... Location of Bavarian Festival moved to Heritage Park.

1970's... Bavarian Mall opened on north end of Frankenmuth spurring continued development of north end of town.

1976... Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland built new building on south end of Frankenmuth spurring development of south end of town.

1977... Marv Herzog and Harold Mitas organized the first Summer Polka Fest.

1977... A Main Street Historic District was formed to encourage preservation of existing architecture and use of "Bavarian" architecture in new construction.

1980... Frankenmuth Holz Brücke (covered bridge) constructed. Largest covered bridge built in America in 75 years.

1980-81... Old St. Lorenz School/Frankenmuth Middle School converted to School Haus Square shopping mall.

1982... Nickless-Hubinger Flour Mill opened third Flour Mill on that site.

1982... Zehnder's Restaurant opened their newly expanded bakery area.

1982... Edelweiss addition to Bavarian Inn Restaurant.

1982... Horse Carriage Tours established in Frankenmuth.

1984... Zehnder's of Frankenmuth purchased Frankenmuth Golf & Country Club.

1986... Bavarian Inn Lodge opened phase one (100 rooms.)

1987... Twenty five years of Sister City visits and programs celebrated.

1987... Roof Garten Lounge and Doll & Toy Factory addition to Bavarian Inn Restaurant.

1987... Geyer Brothers Brewery purchased, remodeled and opened as Frankenmuth Brewery.

1988... Zehnder's of Frankenmuth purchased Bavarian Haus Motel.

1989... Bavarian Inn Lodge opened phase two (98 additional rooms.)

1989... Frankenmuth Riverboat Tours opened.

1990... Frankenmuth Agricultural Park opened (Frankenmuth Cheese Manufacturing Company, Frankenmuth Pretzel Company, and Gepetto's Restaurant.)

1990... G. Heileman Brewery closed.

1990... Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce hosted First Annual Oktoberfest.

1991... Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland opened new expansion (total building space now 201,243 square feet.)

1992... Fortress Golf Course opened.

1992... Zehnder's of Frankenmuth hosted first annual Zehnder's Snowfest.

1992... Frankenmuth/Gunzenhausen celebrate 30 years of Sister City visits and programs.

1992... Zehnder's Bavarian Haus Motel addition complete (indoor pool, courtyard, a total of 137 rooms.)

1993... Bavarian Festival celebrates 35th Anniversary.

1994... Maypole Structure installed at Chamber of Commerce Building.

1994... Herbert L. Keinath Memorial Fountain Schulpture Enhancement Project completed and dedicated.

1995... Frankenmuth celebrated its Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) throughout the year.

1995... Bavarian Inn Lodge opened Phase three (156 additional rooms).

1995... Drury Inn opened creating the fourth hotel property in Frankenmuth.

1995... The Frankenmuth Women's Club constructed the Veteran's Memorial in Willkommen Park.

1995... The Frankenmuth Historical Museum undertook a complete renovation of its exhibits creating a more firsthand experience of Frankenmuth's beginnings.

1996... June 21 at 11:10pm a tornado hits Frankenmuth. 10 homes are destroyed, many others damaged as well as many businesses. No loss of life was sustained

1997... First Annual Clam & Lobster Fest.

1998... Frankenmuth 2000 begins construction.

1998... The Rummelplatz opens its facility.

1998... Bavarian Inn Lodge adds $3 million dollar meeting & convention area.

1998... Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company purchases St John's Church, properties, and the Geyer house.

1999... Fairfield Inn by Marriot opens bringing the fifth hotel property to Frankenmuth.

1999... First Oktoberfest Parade.

1999... Covenant Health Care constructs new medical facility.

1999... Frankenmuth Credit Union constructs new facility.

1999... Frankenmuth Clock Company constructs new facility patterned after a Bavaria, Germany building.

2000... Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland expansion of their shipping department.

2000... Removal of the G. Heileman Brewing Company for the Phase 1 of the Frankenmuth River Place.

2001... River Place opens July 2001.

2001... Ground breaking for the SpringHill Suites.

2001...Michigans' Own Military and Space Museum adds additional exhibit space.

2001...Frankenmuth School District buildings begin capital improvement process.

2002...Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland Expansion.

2002...Completion of the Frankenmuth 2000 Hospitality Plan.

2002...SpringHill Suites by Marriott opens bringing a sixth hotel property to Frankenmuth.

2002...Grandpa Tiny's Farm relocates Dehmel Road bridge to property.

2003...Sullivan's Black Forest Brau Keller opens.

2003...Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce remodels public restroom facilities.

2003...Frankenmuth Historical Association dedicates Norine Kern town clock.

2003...Bronner Performing Arts center dedicated.

2003...Frankenmuth Brewery reopens & acquires "Riverview Queen" riverboat, renaming it "Pilsener Princess."

2003...Frankenmuth Auto Fest celebrates 20th anniversary.

2003...Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce holds first annual "Wein & Stein" event.

2004...Frankenmuth Fire Department celebrates 100th anniversary.

2004...First Lumberjack Festival held.

2004...Beyer Road Bridge reopens as a pedestrian bridge across the Cass River.

2004...First Blues Bash on the Cass event held.

2004...Groundbreaking takes place for Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark.

2004...Groundbreaking takes place for the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion in Heritage Park.

2004...Weiss Street streetscaping project completed.

2005...Dedication of the Harvey Kern Pavilion.

2005...Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark opens.

2005...First Christkindlmarkt held.

2006...Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce celebrates it centennial anniversary.

2007...Marv Herzog Hotel opens. This 38-room hotel, built by the Drury Inn corporation, is the 7th lodging facility in Frankenmuth, bringing the total number of overnight guestrooms to 809.

2008...Frankenmuth Post Office renamed "Postamt" in German with Hummel figurine artwork added.

2008...Tim Horton's restaurant opened.

2009...Frankenmuth Brewery re-opened under new ownership.

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