Statehood 1837

Michigan

The French were the first Europeans to arrive in Michigan, with Étienne Brûlé traveling through in 1618, and the area forming part of French Canada from 1668 to 1763. Following New France's defeat in the French and Indian War, Britain took control in 1763, holding the region until the Treaty of Paris (1783) transferred it to the United States. Michigan passed through the Northwest Territory, Indiana Territory, and finally the Territory of Michigan before formally entering the Union as the twenty-sixth state on January 26, 1837.

Statehood
1837
Historic sites
2,051
Military engagements
123

Pre-contact era

The history of human activity in Michigan began with settlement of the western Great Lakes region by Paleo-Indians perhaps as early as 11,000 B.C.E. One early technology they developed was the use of native copper, which they would fashion into tools and other implements. The territory was also home to several Native American cultures, including the Lenape (also Delaware), Miami, Potawatomi, Shawnee, and others.

Colonial history

The Pays d'en Haut, established in 1610, depended on the colony of Canada until 1763 when the Treaty of Paris ended New France and both were ceded to the British as the Province of Quebec. In 1701, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit.

Throughout the Revolutionary War, the region was part of the British Province of Quebec and the western theater of the war.

From 1787 to 1800 Michigan was part of the Northwest Territory; in 1800 most of Michigan lay within the Indiana Territory; in 1802 the whole of Michigan was attached to the Territory of Indiana; in 1805 the Territory of Michigan was established, existing until January 26, 1837.

Unlimited access

Everything a full the United States report reveals

Pick any location and Aubrey pulls together 18 strands of its history, each drawn from the record:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your first month for $5.99
Or see a real report first

Explore Michigan records

2,051
National Register historic sites
National Register listings ›
123
Military engagements
Military history records ›
2
Civil War regiments
Union, Confederate, USCT ›
1
Indigenous groups
Heritage records ›
24
Notable figures
Born in Michigan ›
60
Colonial-era events
1492 to early statehood ›
Michigan counties
Census population history ›
Sources

State history content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Historic sites data: National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

About Michigan

When did Michigan become a state?
Michigan was admitted to the Union in 1837.
What European powers colonized Michigan?
The territory that became Michigan passed through several colonial periods. The Pays d'en Haut, established in 1610, depended on the colony of Canada until 1763 when the Treaty of Paris ended New France and both were ceded to the British as the Province of Quebec. In 1701, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit. Throughout the Revolutionary War, the region was part of the British Province of Quebec and the western theater of the war. From 1787
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report