Big Rapids

Located centrally on the west side of Michigan lies Big Rapids, named for one of the biggest rapids on the Muskegon River. The river played a major role in the development of Big Rapids as it was used as a transportation artery moving logs downstream to the mills located in Muskegon during the region's 1850's timber boom. Today, Big Rapids has grown to a population of approximately 10,800 and is the home of Ferris State University, a college of over 13,000 students.