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Bay City Main Page

City Hall: 302 Washington Avenue
Post Office: Bay City, MI 48708
Phone: 989-894-8146

Bay City was first platted as the village of Lower Saginaw in 1838. Its name was changed to Bay City when Bay County was organized in 1857, and in 1865, it was incorporated as a city. {Nathan B. Bradley} was elected as the city's first major. (See "City Time Line" below.)

Bay City is the county seat. Most of the county's agencies and associations are located here. The city shares common borders with the City of Essexville and the townships of Bangor, Frankenlust, Hampton, Merritt, Monitor and Portsmouth.

Saginaw had the first white settlement in this area in 1819. Larger ships had difficulty navigating the shallower water near the Saginaw settlement. Many of the early pioneers moved to Lower Saginaw as it became clear its deeper waters made it a better location for growth. By 1860, Lower Saginaw was become a bustling community of about 2,000 with several mills and many small businesses in operation. In 1865 the village of Bay City incorporated as a city. It was a time of rapid growth with lumbering and shipbuilding creating many job.

Bay City could easily have been called River City for it is the Saginaw River that had the greatest impact on its people. Indians populated this chosen area for location and the bountiful y it was early industrialists it was the highway floating lumber to the mills and factories that turned the timber logs into products that were hauled by ships to far away destinations and bring in goods need for commerce here. The Saginaw was and still is a river of commerce to Bay City and our neighboring community of Saginaw. But, it's river banks are no longer the industrial base that once were. They have been transformed into an oasis of large parks enjoyed by the people of this community, and an increasing use for residential dwellings and small merchant operations. Up Town At River Edge, the name given to a new frontage develop will dramatic change the river front landscape one the home of the giant crane manufacturer Industrial Brownhoist. Like a hundred years earlier, it is an exciting time to be a part of.

View from Wenonah Park on Water Street looking east towards Center Ave. Ring of Friendship Fountain on the right and behind it is the Delta Planetarium, further back are heritage buildings.

Two major business districts and parks are located opposite each other on the banks of the river. The river frontage that was once used primarily for industrial applications has changed dramatically over the years. The many sawmills, shipyards and other industries that contributed to a rapidly growing population and wealth have for the most part been replaced with parks, boating harbors, recreational fields and residential buildings. Plans are underway now will transform a former large industrial area along the east river bank for building a new hotel-conference center, another residential community and a business park for merchants.

The Bay City community takes pride in its heritage. Important steps have been taken to preserve many of the fine original buildings built during the boom of the lumbering era, a number of these are registered as historical landmarks by the state and national government. City ordinances are in place that define historical districts to assure preservation of these unique structures will endure.

Community Resources:

Government/Education	Other
City Offices Fire Department Education: Bay County Library System All Saints Central High School Bay City Public Schools	Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Bay City Jaycees Bay City Lions Club Bay City Morning Rotary Club
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