About Big Rapids

Big Rapids is a medium-sized city in west central Michigan, 57 miles north of Grand Rapids on the Muskegon River. The city is located near the Manistee National Forest. The first white settler was John Parish, who arrived in 1851. The post office was established in 1857. The county seat of Mecosta County, Big Rapids was called Leonard until September 29, 1859, when the current name was chosen. Logging was the main industry until 1907 when the pine forest was depleted. The economy was greatly depressed until a hydroelectric plant was built in 1914. This boosted industry, as did the discovery of oil and natural gas in 1933. What would become the current Ferris State University started in 1884 as Big Rapids Industrial School, founded by Woodbridge N. Ferris, who was Big Rapids' most famous son. Woodbridge would go on to serve two terms as Governor of Michigan and was then elected to the U.S. Senate. Big Rapids has mild summers with temperatures that range from the mid-50s to the low 80s. Winters are cold, with a temperature range between about 10 and 30 degrees. Snowfalls average about 8-10 inches per month from December through March.

MI Heating Contractors within 20 miles of Big Rapids