Home : Blogs : Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate : Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan Real Estate

Just the "Big 3"?

TLW, commented on my post yesterday about when she thinks of Michigan she thinks of cold, snow, ice and blizzards. I got a kick out of that, because I grew up in the South and when I found out we were moving to Ann Arbor Michigan , all I thought about was rusted cars driving to passing through Kentucky to get to Florida.

Perhaps you didn't know that Michigan is also known for the following:

The Bissell Carpet Sweeper founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1876 and still operates there.

Kellogg's Corn Flakes in Battle Creek, Michigan, founded in 1906. Battle Creek is still called Cereal City.

Faygo Soft Drinks, up here we called them pop. The East Coast calls them soda and in the South where I grew up every soft drink was called coke. "I'd like a coke please?" What kind? Diet Pepsi. It is known for drinks like Rock and Rye and root beer.

Vernor's Ginger Ale, anyone that grew up in Michigan was given this ginger ale when they had a stomach ache. It was started in 1862 by a pharmacist in Detroit and although I don't care for the taste Michiganders do love their Vernors.

Herman Miller Furniture was and still is one of the largest office furniture manufacturers. Started in 1923 in Zeeland, Michigan.

Simplicity Pattern Company and is one of the most well known companies for people who like to sew. I don't sew but I took a class in high school, it was bad. Simplicity Patterns was started in 1927 in Niles, Michigan.

Gerber Baby Foods, was started in 1928, well I'm sure most moms know of this one. It was started because a lady who was straining vegetables for her baby and realized this could be done in mass.

Whirlpool Washers, was started in 1911 by the company then known as the Upton Machine Company in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Mark Swanson Guitars, custom designed and built for the true musician is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Welch's Grape Juice, hummm we've all heard of this, but did you know it is in Lawton, Michigan and was started in 1919?

Eckrich hot dogs and meat products, was started in 1926 and is now a world wide name for meat products is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jiffy Mix, is located in my county in the city of Chelsea, Michigan by the Chelsea Mining Company. It began in 1930.

Butterball Turkey was started in Grand Rapids in 1954.

Old Orchard Juice the third largest frozen fruit juice sold in the U.S. and the 9^th largest bottled juice brand. Started in Sparta, Michigan.

Meijer's was started in Greenville, Michigan by Hendrick Meijer in 1934. Today they have 150 stores in Michigan and the Midwest but are quickly spreading south. Great prices, one stop shopping.

Juke Boxes by Rowe International rolled out its 1 millionth juke box last year and is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

So, from baby food, cereal, music (don't forget Mo-Town was born in Detroit) furniture, Michigan is a state with tons of creativity and inventions.

This year when you are eating your Butterball Turkey, think Michigan.

Unless TLW is shooting you one and sending it to you!

Care to share some of things made in your state?

Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate on 11/15/2007 08:11 AM

Comments (77)

localism for michigan

Originally posted at: Ann Arbor Undressed : Just the "Big 3"?

This post has been included in Michigan Information

77 Comments on Just the "Big 3"?

NOV

2007

MISSY: You did a great job researching the products coming out of Michigan. Very interesting. I know that it hasn't been a great season, but what about the Wolverines? Go Blue. Big weekend this weekend!

WoW, Missy ! That's quite a list. I didn't realize all of those brand names had started in Michigan. Here in Ontario we call soda 'pop' also.

I don't sew either and like you, I took one class in high school....I have Kenmore sewing machine that my Dad bought me a few years back, sitting idly in my closet.

This is a very interesting post...

((-:

Hi Missy. This is a fun list. I grew up in Michigan and didn't know about all of these. When I think of Michigan I think of cherries, the auto industry, Frankenmuth and Mackinac Island. Have a good day! :)

Missy, what a great post! I have to fess up that I think BRRRRRR too. My late husband was Albanian. There is a large Albanian population in Michigan near Detroit.

Good Morning Missy! What a great post! I knew I liked Michigan...all the good food that came out of there! LOL!

The thing that comes to my mind immediately from Texas is Dr. Pepper. It's made and bottled in Waco.

Very cool post. Everyone knows that North Carolina is home to big tobacco, big banks, and big hogs. But we also gave birth to three US Presidents, Cheerwine, SunDrop, the beloved Pepsi you mention, the first state university (GO HEELS!), and more that I need to go sift through and write up. =)

Very interesting. Never knew all of that was in Michigan. By the way, where in the south did you live?

Wow, what an impressive list! I had no earthly idea all of those products came from there! My mother was born in Kalamazoo (sp) but I have never been to Michigan. Maybe someday I will come and say hi! Great post! Vanessa

Missy, This is really cool. However, I must admit when I thought of Michigan I think of cccold, snow and ice as well..I am a Florida boy..:-)

Missy,

I am impressed with your state...'We' love Michigan and Michiganders...It's that we aren't crazy about 'wolverines'...got it??? LOL, Thanks, Fran

P.S. You guys probably don't like 'nittany lions'!!!

Great Post Missy

I feel a blog about my own state coming on. We are known for our CRABS! LOL

Like Al asks - Where in the South did you grow up?

What a fun post, Missy. I grew up in Hot and Humid Miami Florida. So my thoughts of Michigan were always of cold and cars, too. I'm going to have to investigate Georgia and Florida products now.

Hi Missy, what a great list. I must admit, I do like Vernors, Michigander thing like you said!

I would add Lay-Z-Boy furniture to that list too! Great post!

That is a lot of facts, ma'am! You left off the Detroit Lions....as much a part of thanksgiving as Turkey!

Missy--Sometimes people from other parts of the country think everyone in the north sits around in parkas and mittens year round. I love that you are sharing the other things that Michigan is known for...I knw about Kelloggs but not the other companies. When I think of Michigan these days, my first thought is of a great Ann Arbor blogger. Funny how perceptions can change in a few months.

When people ask me why prices in the North georgia mountains are so much lower than North Carolina or other spots in the chain I say the movie Deliverence. It is the sizzle that sells the steAk. Great post

Missy - I thought of some more Texas things:

Pecan Pie

Chicken Fried Steak

Tex Mex food

Frozen Margueritas

Everyone, Off on appointments, I'll respond to you all later. Thanks

I moved from San Francisco to Nashua New Hampshire 10 year ago! I must say it is sooo cold here -- I have never lived in such a cold climate -- some days it is 10 below zero -- sometimes the snow is over 5 feet high! I don't know if I will get used to this type of cold -- people used to say San Francisco was cold compared to Los Angeles -- they have no idea what COLD really is!

I think we should all do a blog like this. Very creative. Do not know much about Michigan but it may be quite different than I think. You got me thinking about Louisiana products.

I knew about Kellogg's because my uncle works for them! He lived in Kalamazoo for a long time before moving to Williamsburg, VA. He started out in high school working for a local grocery store here in Maryland called MARS. One day he met the rep from Kellogg's and before he knew it he had his own budget and was in charge of the military's cereal products for the east coast! I have even seen the building in a few movies where they show the Tony the Tiger statue there!

Missy! I love facts like this! I knew about Kelloggs and Whirlpool but not the rest of the brands. Interesting stuff! I don't think of cold when I think of Michigan, I think of KISS and the car parade in Detriot :). Perhaps because I miss snow?

mmmm...all of mine are food related :) We do like to eat down here...

Wow, an awesome job with this one Missy! When you wrote about Faygo did you sing the song? BTW, I have to have Vernors when I have the flu. Any other Ginger Ale will not work for me.

Missy, this list is really helpful! I've been making an effort to avoid buying stuff from China - and it's hard to do! And I love Vernors! It is absolutely the best ginger ale!

Missy you had me at Kellogg's Corn Flakes. LOL (Jerry Maguire)

Hey Missy, That's quite a list! You've inspired me to check out Wilkes-Barre's history a bit. I know that we were the first city to have cable tv, but that's about it.

Missy - that's funny isn't it...people's perception sometimes gives me a "kick"! That's why we are marketing ourselves as "Area Specialists" in Redding CA and we make it a point to Blog about Redding, its communities, people, real estate and other. I can't tell you how many people will call or email and say things that are inaccurate about Redding.

Missy, that is an awesome list!! I am familiar with many things on your list, as I grew up in Chicago and spend many a summer in Michigan. Thanks for an interesting post.

Missy - While I'm familiar with many items on your list, I wasn't familiar that they stemmed from Michigan. Very nice compilation!

Thoroughly enjoyed this post Missy! There's an incredible amount of creativity right here in our own backyard. Thanks for the reminder & cheer list. :)

Adam, thank you and YES GO BLUE!!

Jo-Anne, all my relatives laugh when I say POP. They think it is so funny.

Kelly, I think cherries in Travers City too and apples. I love Frakenmuth too, cute and fun to shop in.

Maggie, there is a large Albanian community in Detroit. Come visit......in the summer. LOL

Linda, you should do a post on it so many things from Texas. I love Margueritas !!

Leigh, I think mountains in N.C. isn't that funny ?

Al, I grew up in Paducah, graduated from U of K. Lived in Oxford, Miss, Auburn, AL.

Vanessa, you should come visit sometime. Do you still have family in Kalamazoo ? Me, I want to move to Tennessee.

Matthew, LOL not Southern Michigan ! We do get snow but not like Up North, enough to enjoy.

Fran, I do like Papa Joe, who wouldn't ???

Debbie, please post on it, I love to hear about other states. See Al's answer above. Crabs, huh ?? Love them.

Nancy, please research Georgia, that would be fun to hear. Didn't coke start in Atlanta?

Mike, awesome I didn't know about Lazy Boy, where did it start ? Thanks for contributing.

Gary, we'll I gave the Wolverines a whole post yesterday.

Teri, thanks made my day !! How sweet, thanks.

Charlie, you're a riot, that is one movie no one ever forgets, is it?

Joan, that's funny. I guess it's how thick our blood is how we handle the cold and heat. When we first moved here, our Realtor was apologizing for the hot weather. Moving from the South we thought she was kidding???

Eric, I bet there would be some good ones from Louisiana.

Michael, that's Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat !!

Lisa, the car parade is fun and awesome isn't it. Of course if you're thinking music, Madonna, Eminem, Kid Rock, Supremes, Jimmy Kemmel, Jeff Daniels. I think of more.

Lisa, LOL

Kris, you just proved my point about Vernors. Thanks.

Pat, oh you are good. So you like Vernors too, where did you learn to do that ?

Mana, your're too funny. And that is a great movie, isn't it??

Andrew, please do it, Cable TV? Well that has certaintly revolutionized our lives, hasn't it ?

Jeantet, great point about marketing your area, with things people don't know about.

Barbara, thanks for stopping by. Michigan summers are wonderful and Lake Michigan is fun to spend time on.

Jason, I learned alot too.

Lola, So many are from Grand Rapids, aren't they ?

I'm impressed! So many of the things we use in everyday life were developed in Michigan! I especially remember the Simplicity Patterns when I used to sew at a child. Great list!

Missy- this was a fun post! I had to laugh when I got to the soda, I mean, pop...er Coke part! It's so funny how much of a local thing that is.

Missy,
I would have responded just like TLW.....cold and snow. Michigan has produced some pretty handy products. My Grannie was an avid seamstress and I remember seeing Simplicity patterns at her house. Must admit there were a couple of products I am not familiar with.
A lot of people will certainly be enjoying Michigan's Butterball next week!

Missy...

I was actually a little surprised when you came back and told me how mild the weather is in Ann Arbor.

Some of Blog Boy's family is in Iron Mountain. So naturally...I think cold when I think Michigan.

Thanks for setting me straight and thank you for sharing what does come out of Michigan :)

P.S. Did you know that in Florida some people stuff their Turkey with oranges?...I kid you not :)

TLW...ROAR!

Hi Missy

I truly enjoyed this post. I bet you learned some things about Michigan that even YOU didn't know!

Diane, great do you still sew? I use to make curtains when I was first married. But, that's about it.

Sandi, what do you call it in California?

Cynthia, thanks for stopping by, I imagine you're right I grew up eating only butterball turkey and had no clue the company was started here. I do think they have other area's in the country they manufacture or grow them in now.

TLW, Iron Mountain is WAY up there, I have never been in the UP myself. But, yea they get a ton of snow and it lasts for a long time.

Nicki, I really did, thanks for stopping by and adding me. :)

Hi Missy - well my goodness, who knew all that stuff came from Michigan??? What cool trivia to have about your home state! I may just have to find out about that kind of stuff about my state. By the way, I think I might want a coke? What kind you ask - well a Diet Coke and my friend will have a Moxie. Yep, I call all soft drinks cokes, and then ask what kind someone wants. But don't forget, I am originally from the south!! ;-) Ann

Missy,

You forgot to add: Home of Missy Caulk, one of of the TOP 12 FEMALE BLOGGERS, right?

Ann, I didn't know that you were originally from the South. Did you tell me and I forgot? Yea, diet coke is my favorite after ice tea.

Lynda, you are sweet thanks for stopping by.

Holy cow! What a great list! Makes me wonder what Missouri is all about! I see another post coming on!

Missy - Thanks for the education. I did not realize any of these.

Missy- Now I am wondering what good things have come out of Oregon, do you think anyone has ever heard of Oregon Chai? It is awesome! I'm off to do some research!

Missy.... I have to come back to this later, but this was very interesting. Thanks for sharing this.... I enjoyed this.

I could say brats in Wisconsin, Kentucky Whiskey & Bourbon from Ky..... NJ? hhhmmmm.... extremely high property taxes? lol

Missy, I hope Maureen does a blog about Ohio ... she's good at researching all that stuff. The first thing that comes to mind is that a lot of Presidents came from Ohio. We have astronauts too - John Glenn & Neil Armstrong. Celebs are Bob Hope and I believe, Lucille Ball. Columbus is known to be the home of fast food start-ups - Wendy's, Arbys, White Castle. Our local scientific institute, Battelle, developed the Xerox machine. And White Castle's parent company, who molded the steel for their buildings, created the first steel Scotts spreader a long time ago. But I'll let Maureen finish the list.

You forgot the sand dunes in Michigan. How many states have actual dunes?

That comment above was from me ... I'm not signed in,

Elaine

NOV

2007

Missy: What TLW didn't know about Michigan is that four of my grandkids call it home. That makes it tops in my book. All that other stuff is okay, too. LOL

Mike in Tucson

Hey Missy, Want to move to Tennessee? I know a great agent! Hahaha. Hey move on down, we can always accomodate a great agent! :.) No, I do not have family in the area anymore....

Kay, yes it is a great list isn't it? Who would have thought.

Bill, you're welcome.

Alecia, good and no I have heard of Oregon Chai? Is it a tea ?

Jeff, LOL

Mike, grandkids let me know when you visit. Where do they live?

Elaine, one more day !! Yes, the sand dunes are in Michigan but they are not man made but God made. LOL

Vanessa, do you know Jane Hale Roberts? She is a really close friend of mine. I do want to move to the Nashville area, but not sure when. Waiting til my daugher who is a buyer agent can sustain the business here and give me time to get started. But the way you are dominating Brentwood, Franklin I'll really have to start over.

Hi Missy - Thanks for featuring great products of our fine state:) There's several from this area of West Michigan and Grand Rapids that we are proud of that made your list. Thanks!!

Ed, I know there are GR rocks!!

So interesting...I did not know. Thanks for enlightening us all. GBY!

Hi Missy- when I think of Michigan I think of the Masters Program (University of Michigan) I was going to do when I came back to the States....but like TLW I just couldn't do another year of snow :) So came back to California instead. What do we have here.....home of the Beach boys, surfing, tech stuff, and gosh I don't really know.....except for egos..... I think we have a pretty good sized ego of being a "Native Californian" (the key word is Californian).... Loved your list......:)

Michigan has a lot to be proud of. Wow that is great nostalgia...Imagine that Corn Flakes...

WOW Missy,

This is impressive, I thought cold weather too, then again TLW and I are in south Florida...you had the Gerber baby??? and all the rest.... the Simplicity sewing patterns I used eons ago??? Amazing...

NOV

2007

Hi Missy, very nice public relations post....you may get more businesses to move to Michigan. This was better than the Michigan Business Bureau. I grew up in Chicago...as a kid...I knew Michigan was on the other side of the Lake! Nice post.

Elizabeth, thanks for stopping by and GBY too.

Kathy, when I think CA, I think great weather, high home prices and the Beach Boys.

Midori, and other Kellogg cereals too, that was just the first one.

Karen, maybe Michigan should do a better job of promoting more than cars??

Gary, hummm we need to do something to let people know what a great state it is. The automotive industry has overshadowed Michigan for too long.

Missy,

Oh so true! Kase is from one of the big 3 auto companies and we are so happy to be out of automotive. I believe Google is just the start of Silicon Valley in the Michigan.

Go Blue!! Watching the game from my warm family room!!

Karen, I am bummed. Aren't you ?

Missy

You did an incredible research, wish to read more, Thanks

Kmart started here.

And Carharrt is headquartered in Dearborn.

Quicken Loans

And we have the first stretch of paved road.

NOV

2007

Ginger Ale - good.

Ginger Beer - not so much.

Fascinating and fun, Missy. Good to hear from you again!

NOV

2007

Missy- Too Cute! I love this post! It is fun to know where things come from. Yep, we are down here with sunshine and beaches while it is snowing up north. That is why snowbirds come flocking here! Katerina

NOV

2007

Missy, Great Post!

There's a lot going on in Michigan. When the media talks about MI, they seem to be generally talking about metro Detroit only (and if it's about business, it's about the 'Big 3'). Here are a few more that spring to mind: Domino Pizza, Little Caesar's Pizza, Amway (now Alticor, soon to be Amway again), Steelcase.

Michigan is also the state that provides more BLUEBERRIES than any other state. It's not gloom and doom in Michigan. Thanks for helping to get the good word out! Happy Thanksgiving.

NOV

2007

Missy, Nice list. South Carolina....first shots of the civil war, Sports Illustrated, The Shag.

NOV

My fear is there is no definable line that separates who should receive bail out money and who should't. Where do we stop and who is left to determine if the funds are going where they should? The term bail out should not even be part of the vocabulary in a democratic society. My Active Rain blog post this morning morphed into a page long rant on what I would like to see happening to revive our economy. Click here

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?