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A Brief History of East Lansing

  • Introduction
  • Timeline
Essays on the people, buildings, and events in the conjoined histories of East Lansing and Michigan State University, with a particular interest in the Michigan Agricultural College era (1855–1925), and a timeline of significant events.

Featured Post

The E. J. Rugg House (1904)

In a revised, expanded, and corrected article, we take a deeper look at the Rugg family, including their earlier rooming house business, their community involvement, and their move to this house, which once stood on Grand River Avenue. It also corrects the build date of the Rugg house, based on contemporary newspaper articles, and reveals an unexpected connection to the “White Elephant.” Read More.

Recent posts

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  • E. J. Rugg House, 319 Grove St. (1904)


  • The mystery of Sesame Society


  • College Heights (1904)


  • Polly Akers, Chappie Chapman, and the Alfalfa Eta Society


  • Riverview (1891)


  • Thomas Gunson comes to M.A.C.


  • Harrison House — the “White Elephant” (1895–1916)


  • Dr. Oscar Bruegel — East Lansing’s “Only” Doctor


  • Professor Anna Bayha

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A Brief History of East Lansing

A history of Michigan State University and the college town it engendered.

A Brief History of East Lansing by Kevin S. Forsyth is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

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  • Sources
  • Land Acknowledgement