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1967 Map of Grand Rapids East

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Grand Rapids East
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Grand River and the Thornapple River frame this mid-century view of eastern Grand Rapids, capturing the post-war suburban expansion toward Kentwood and Cascade. This era of growth is anchored by significant institutional and commercial footprints, including the Kent County Airport and the sprawling Eastbrook Shopping Center. Educational landmarks like Calvin Knollerest College and Grand Rapids Bible College sit alongside established community spaces such as Woodlawn Cemetery.

Lakes such as Reeds Lake and Fisk Lake define the character of East Grand Rapids, while the heavy infrastructure of the Chesapeake and Ohio and Penn Central railroads indicates the region's industrial backbone. From the scattered gravel pits in East Paris to the Graceland Mausoleum, the map documents the conversion of formerly rural township lands into a dense network of schools, churches, and residential plats.