Biography

Hometown History

Hometown Attractions

Interesting Facts

Hometown Map

Borrowed Images

Section 1: Biography

My name is David Butterfield. I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have two little brothers - Connor, 13 and Cameron 10.  I also have an older sister Lisa, 25.  My mother's name is Vicki Larson and my father's name is Mike Butterfield. My parents are divorced, but before they were, I went to North Park Elementary and then Forest Hills Middle and High School after they divorced. In high school, I played football, baseball and rugby. My senior year of high school, I was the captain of our rugby team and led the team to a state championship. After I graduated from high school in 2004, I came to Western Michigan University. It wasn't until my junior year at WMU that I decided e-BizD was my major. After doing that and "getting my life together", I recently got engaged to my fiancé, Amy.  After I graduate this spring, we are getting married on July 25th, 2008. Once that is done, a whole new chapter of my life will begin and I can't wait! 

Section 2: Hometown History - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids is the second largest city in the state of Michigan and is about 45 square miles in size. It is located in west central Michigan, roughly 30 miles east of Lake Michigan.  However, it took nearly 2,000 years for the city to become what it is today.

Grand Rapids was occupied by the Hopewell Indians over 2,000 years ago.  When the British and French arrived to Michigan and traded fur pelts for European metal and textile goods only 300 years ago.  One French trader named Louis Campau established a trading post in Grand Rapids in 1826.  His trading post allowed him to make enough money to buy what is now known as the downtown district of Grand Rapids from the federal government for $90.

Soon, villages were being formed and by 1845 a census announced a population of 1,510 only 14 years after Campau bought the land. By 1857, Grand Rapids totaled to the size of 10.5 square miles.  Around that time, the city became the world leader in the production of office furniture.  In 1916, the population of Grand Rapids grew to 82,565  and kept growing to its current population of nearly 200,000.

Section 3: Hometown Attractions

Section 4: Interesting Facts

Grand Rapids is home to some celebrities you may recognize:

• Gerald R. Ford - 38th President of the United States
• Anthony Keidis - Singer of famous rock band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Floyd Mayweather, Jr. - Boxer; 1996 bronze medal winner
• Melville Bissell - Founder of Bissell Vacuums; Developed first vacuum in 1876

There are also a few "famous firsts" too:

• First city to put fluoride in public drinking water
• Held the first baseball game played on a lighted field
• First African-American operated railroad in the United States
• First city to use hydro-electric power

Section 5: Hometown Map

This is a map of my hometown, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  It is located in the center of the picture and stretches takes up almost the entire area shown.

Section 6: Borrowed Images

The following links are references to the places where I got the pictures for this website.

Section 2: Hometown History - Grand Rapids, MI

Downtown Grand Rapids (left) Image

Downtown Grand Rapids (right) Image

Section 3: Hometown Attractions

Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Image 

Grand Rapids Children's Museum Image

Gerald R. Ford Museum Image

Grand Rapids Civic Theater Image

John Ball Zoo Image

Grand Rapids Art Museum Image

Section 5: Hometown Map

Hometown Map of Grand Rapids Image