subject: Ann Arbor Homes for Sale - Exploring the Rich History of Ann Arbor, Michigan [print this page] Ann Arbor Homes for Sale - Exploring the Rich History of Ann Arbor, Michigan
So, you have decided to search for available Ann Arbor homes for sale because you want to live in this part of Michigan? If you are then you would certainly be interested to find out how the place came to be including its origin and how it has reached its developed phase now.
Ann Arbor is the county seat of the Washtenaw County in the state of Michigan, USA. Founded in 1824, the 2009 Census Bureau Estimate counted its population reaching to 112, 920, which makes it the 6th largest city in the whole Michigan State. Its history started when it was founded by land speculators, Elisha Rumsey and John Allen in 1824. According to some stories, the name of place was derived from the names of Rumsey and Allen's wives, both named Ann and for the Burr Oaks (species of oak in the white oaks section also known as Mossycup white oak) standing in the 260 hectares of land they purchased for $800 from the Federal Government.
When Rumsey died in 1827, Ann Arbor became the county seat of the Washtenaw County and incorporated as a village in 1833, wherein Allen became the town's postmaster, village president, and versatile promoter. The place lost a bid to be established as the capital of Michigan in 1836. The following year, it offered forty acres of land for the building of the University of Michigan and won the bid to be the new location site of this now very prominent educational institution. In 1839, Ann Arbor becomes an outstanding regional transportation center with the arrival of the Michigan Central Railroad.
In 1851, the same year when John Allen died, Ann Arbor was chartered as a city. This marked the situation wherein the city became the home of many Canadian and German immigrants as well as individuals and their families who are trying to run away from the Great Irish Famine. The 1960s marked a very memorable spot in the history of Ann Arbor because this was the point in time when it became the setting for both Anti-Vietnam War and American Civil Rights movement. In 1963, after numerous protests and massive public campaigns, its first fair housing ordinance was finally passed.
From being a manufacturing headquarters, the city went through a continuing transformation and modification turning it into a service and technology hub. From the year 1970 to 1980, Ann Arbor gradually underwent steady progression until it reached the point of serving as home to 25 research centers and libraries in 1999. During this period, the average income increased along with land values resulting to more and more Ann Arbor homes for sale particularly in the less urban areas.
The 4th of November of the year 2003 marked the date when voters approved a greenbelt plan, which is a policy that requires retaining areas of largely undeveloped land surrounding urban areas and preserving them for extensive development. Until now, Ann Arbor still ranks as one of the "Top Places to Live" every year, resulting to the continuous sales of many Ann Arbor real estate properties listed in reputable Ann Arbor MLS.
