State Capital

Danielle and Rod live in the Capital City of Lansing, MI. Here is a picture of us (hard to see us, but we're there!) in front of the lit capitol dome. Isn't it funny how the city is spelled capital and the building itself is spelled capitol? Either way, there is an interesting story behind the capitals and capitol buildings of the State of Michigan.

Lansing was not Michigan’s original capital city. French fur traders and
missionaries traveled the upper Great Lakes as early as the 1660s. In 1668, the Jesuit
mission at Sault Ste. Marie became the first permanent European settlement in what is now
Michigan. When Detroit was founded in 1701, it quickly became the most important
settlement in the western Great Lakes region.

In 1787, after more than a century of French and British rule, the Michigan region was set aside by the United States government as part of the Northwest Territory. The Territory of Michigan itself was created in 1805, with General William Hull serving as its first governor. On July 1, 1805, Detroit was named the capital of the new territory. Michigan was admitted to the Union in 1837, with Detroit selected as its first capital city. A territorial courthouse was pressed into service as the first capitol
building. Michigan’s first constitution, however, carried a provision: Detroit would remain the capital only until 1847, “when it shall be permanently located by the Legislature.” This unleashed a firestorm of debate as each legislator vied for the honor of locating the capital in his district.

With many cities promoted and opposed, James Seymour, a speculator who owned land in Ingham County, drew attention to Lansing Township. On March 16, 1847, after months of debate, the governor signed a law naming Lansing Township in Ingham County as the new state capital. Horrified observers, noting that not even a village existed at the location, called it a “howling wilderness.” There was no time to waste. The legislature had to convene in its new “wilderness” capital by January 1848. So, in late 1847, a wooden structure was hastily thrown up to serve as a temporary capitol building. Soon a small settlement began to grow up around it. At first called “Michigan, Michigan,” this confusing name was changed a few months later to “Lansing.” Although it has served as Michigan’s capital since 1847, Lansing was not incorporated as a city until 1859.

Michigan’s second, “temporary” capitol was inadequate from the start, but any thought of a grander building had to wait until the end of the Civil War (1861-1865). Although a 16-foot addition was added in 1865, it was not until 1871 that Governor Henry Baldwin called for a
larger, fireproof, and more dignified seat of state government. The legislature agreed.

A board of building commissioners was quickly named and a nationwide contest announced to select an architect to design the new capitol, with only $1,200,000 allowed for its construction. In January 1872, the winner was announced. A plan named “Tuebor” (meaning, “I will defend”) had been chosen. It was submitted by architect Elijah E. Myers of Springfield, Illinois.
Although the millions of bricks used for walls and ceilings were made in Lansing, building materials for the new capitol came from all over the country and even from abroad. Exterior stone came from Ohio, cast iron for the dome and floor beams from Pennsylvania, marble
and limestone for the floors from Vermont, and tin for the roof from Wales. No preference was given to Michigan materials. Rather, the best materials were selected for the best price, no matter where they came from. The final cost of $1,427,738.78 was considered
quite modest for the construction of a state capitol at the time. Construction began in 1872. When the cornerstone was laid on October 2, 1873, the ceremony rivaled anything Lansing had ever seen. Residents opened their homes as people from all over the state thronged the city.The building’s style, incorporating motifs from classical Greek and Roman architecture, is often termed Renaissance Revival or Neoclassical. Columns in the classical orders—Doric, Ionic and Corinthian—grace the exterior and interior. A four-story entrance pavilion is flanked by balanced wings housing the legislative chambers, and high above it all floats a distinctive, graceful cast iron dome.
Michigan’s third capitol was dedicated on January 1, 1879.

MSU Women's Basketball Game

On January 4, 2008 we went to Michigan State University to watch their women's basketball team play Penn State. The woman who plays center for MSU is 6 feet, 9 inches tall. I'm only 8 inches tall, so it would take a little of 10 of me to equal one of her!

The first picture you see is of Theo, Rod and me in the stands getting ready for the game to start. The second picture was taken during the game. It was action packed. Unfortunately the MSU Spartans lost by 12 points.

There are many famous athletes that played sports at MSU. The most well-known is Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Back in 1979 -- way before any of you were born -- MSU won the men's basketball national tournament. That team was led by Magic. They beat the team from Indiana State that was led by legendary Boston Celtic's player, Larry Bird. That game started a rivalry that would last for over a decade in the NBA as Magic and his Los Angeles Lakers were fierce competitors with the Celtics.

The final picture is a statue of Magic Johnson that is located outside the basketball arena at MSU. If you look really carefully you can see Theo and me at the base of the statue.

That's all for now. I'll write to you again next week.

Love,

Millie & Theo

Up North!

Hi Everyone,

For New Year's weekend, Theo and I went "Up North" to Traverse City. That's what Michiganians call anything in the northern part of the lower peninsula of the state. Did you know that Michigan is made up of two large peninsulas. The peninsulas are surrounded by 4 of the 5 Great Lakes - Michigan, Superior, Huron and Erie. There is so much coastline, other than the lack of salty air, it would remind you a lot of some of the coastal areas of New England. In fact, Michigan has more coastline than any other state except Alaska!

Another fun fact about Michigan is that the lower peninsula is shaped like a mitten. People here hold up their right hand, palm facing out, and show others where they live by pointing to it on their hand. Lansing is about in the middle of the palm. Traverse City is near the tip of the ring finger.

The pictures you see were taken at Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City. Traverse City calls itself the Cherry Capital of the World. Because of the warm breezes coming off Lake Michigan, the west coast of the state is ideal for orchards. In addition to cherries, there are many apple orchards and berry farms all along the that side of the state. Every year more than 500,000 people come to Traverse City during the first week of July to celebrate the Cherry Festival. There are parades and a fair-like atmosphere to celebrate this important local crop.

There weren't any cherries on the trees in late December, but there was plenty of snow for us to play in. We had a great time and got to see a really neat part of the state.

I'll write again soon!

Millie

A Christmas Gift for ME!

December 26, 2007

Santa found me in Lansing! He thought I needed a traveling companion after making two long journeys alone. He found me a local friend who can be my constant travel companion. My friend's name is Theo. He tells me that he is named after Theophilus Abbot, president of Michigan State University (then called Michigan Agricultural College) from 1862-1885. There are currently more than 46,000 students on the 5,200-acre campus. If you want to learn more about MSU you can check out their website at http://msu.edu/

Write to you soon,

Millie and Theo

Meet my friends!

December 23, 2007 -- We finally had a few days at Danielle's house and I really got to know her four-footed companions. The first picture is me with Beyla. She's a lab/hound dog mix. She's pretty calm and not too big at only 80 pounds. She sounds really funny when she barks - it's like she is yodeling!

Next down is Cinder and me. Cinder is quite big -- about 100 pounds. She's a gentle giant though and likes to have me around the house. We were friends instantly.

The last photo is of Sierra and me. She's a fat cat, full of love. You can see that since she is giving me a big hug and kiss in the picture. Sierra has fellow cat in the house. His name is Oberon, but he doesn't like to get his picture taken. He's nice too, mostly likes to keep to himself.

Talk to you soon! Millie for Daisy

American Girl Place

We needed a break from the rain and cold, so we stopped in for a visit to The American Girl Place. I got to see so many friends --- it was awesome. Everyone was so nice. These American Girls invited me to their slumber party!

Having a blast,

Millie

Around Town

Today Danielle and I had a couple of hours free to take a little tour of the city. In this picture we're at the Water Tower. We wanted to find out why the Water Tower is such an important landmark in Chicago. This is what our research uncovered:

The Tower is situated at 800 N. Michigan Avenue, near the John Hancock Center. The Water Tower provides a sharp contrast with the surrounding high-rise buildings.

Constructed in 1869 using big limestone blocks, the Chicago Water Tower, with all its small towers in a 'gothic style', resembles more a tiny European 13th century castle than a water tower. It was designed by the architect William W. Boyington and houses a 40 meter standpipe which was needed to equalize the pressure of the water pumped from the pumping station to the east. The total height of the tower is 154 ft or 47 m.

Since its survival of the Great Fire, the Chicago Water Tower became one of Chicago's main symbols. The tower became functionally obsolete many years ago, although the pumping station still pumps water for the city. In May of 1969, during the year of its centennial anniversary, the Chicago Water Tower was selected by the American Water Works Association to be the first American Water Landmark. It now houses a visitor information center and has become one of the major tourist attractions in Chicago. (from the website http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago/watertower.htm)

Talk to you soon,

Millie