Present Day Bay City

The city of Bay City, Michigan, is located near the Saginaw Bay at the juncture of two major freeways - U.S. 10 and I-75. The city, population 34,932 (2010 Census), is a major recreation and entertainment center, approximately 120 miles north of Detroit. As the county seat and largest municipality in Bay County, Bay City has been a center of commerce, industry, government and culture.

Local Economy

Bay City has a broad economic base supported by such well-known companies as General Motors Corp./Powertrain, Dow Corning Corp. and S.C. Johnson Inc. Local companies include Michigan Sugar Co. (Big Chief Sugar/Pioneer Sugar) and McLaren Bay Region. Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, in addition to providing educational opportunities, are also substantial employers in the community.

Museums

The city is experiencing a renaissance on the Saginaw River, but it is also a living museum with a vibrant history. The River of Time and the Historical Society Cotillion allow visitors to step into history and experience it for themselves. The Historical Museum of Bay County has a wide range of exhibits and programs that dramatize local history through the glacier, Indian, trapping, lumbering and shipbuilding eras.

Historic Districts

Bay City has three historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exhibiting some of the finest examples of architecture in the state, including such styles as Second Empire, Italianate, Queen Anne and Romanesque. The Center Avenue Historic District alone has more than 250 structures on the National Historic Register, many of which are the mansions of former lumber barons. City Hall on Washington Avenue is rated as one of the top 10 buildings in the state for historic restoration and is listed in the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Recreational Activities

Throughout the year, recreational activities draw thousands of people into the area. Some of the events include:

• 4th of July Fireworks Festival, one of the largest fireworks displays in the country, drawing more than 300,000 people for the three-day show
• River Roar, Formula 1 boat racing
• St. Patrick's Day Parade

Shopping

A wide range of shopping opportunities can be found in the city's historic downtown, which has received the "Great American Main Street" award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Highlights include the Antiques Center along the riverfront, as well as a variety of boutiques and bistros.

Midland Street Historic District

The Midland Street Historic District is the chief entertainment district in the city, with specialty shops, eateries and pubs.

Air Travel

Air travel is available from MBS International Airport, located approximately 10 miles west of Bay City, and from the James Clements Municipal Airport, an airport serving small aircraft.