Organized as Walker Township in 1837, Walker, Michigan was incorporated as a city in 1962.
Walker is in western Kent County.
Situated along the Grand River, and accessed by I-96, US-131, M-11, M-37, and M-45, the city abuts Grand Rapids to the west. Other cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Walker include Grandville, Coopersville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, East Grand Rapids, Sparta, Kent City, Rockford, Casnovia, Ravenna, Kentwood, Fruitport, Cedar Springs, Spring Lake, Zeeland, Lowell, Grant, and Ferrysburg.
Reportedly, the first European-Americans to settle the area were the Samuel White and Jesse Smith families, who came from Canada in 1836. Other early surnames were Cordes, Covell, Edison, Hilton, O-Brien, Taber, and Turner.
Others soon followed, and Walker was first organized as Walker Township on December 30, 1837. Originally, the township boundaries included all of the lands within the county north of the Grand River, but, the following year, a portion of the township was split off to form Ada Township.
A post office was established as Indian Creek, for its principle stream, on December 30, 1847. Solomon Wright was the first postmaster. When the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad came through in 1856, a station was established. The post office was renamed Walker on July 14, 1884, with Horace Austin as postmaster. On April 16, 1891, it was renamed North Grand Rapids, and the office was closed on August 29, 1894. Today, the city is served by Grand Rapids post offices, although Walker is an approved name for mailing purposes.
According to the city's website, the origins of the city's name are unknown because many of the original records of Walker Township were destroyed in a fire in the mid-1880s.
In 1867, townspeople raised funds to build a township hall on the southeast corner of what is now Leonard Street and Covell Street. The original wooden structure was later bricked, and was added to several times. However, in 1959, the township hall and the area around it were annexed to the City of Grand Rapids.
In 1962, faced with renewed threats to annex several industrial areas within the township to Grand Rapids, a petition was circulated and successfully voted on, to incorporate the remaining township as a city, which was made official on November 8, 1962. In the summer of 1964, a city hall was built on a former 15-acre apple orchard.
Since first appearing on a census roll in 1970 with a population of 11,492, the city has increased every decade, to a population of 25,132 in 2020.
The Walker Branch of the Kent District Library system is on Remembrance Road in Walker.
The city does not have its own school system. K-12 students in Walker attend campuses of Comstock Park Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grandville Public Schools, or Kenowa Hills Public Schools. Campuses of Kenowa Hills Public Schools within the city include the Kenowa Hills Early Elementary Childhood Center, Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School, and Zinser Elementary School, while Grandville Public Schools operates Cummings Elementary School. Additionally, Walker Charter Academy, a National Heritage Academies school, is in Walker. Religious schools within the city include Covenant Christian High School and Hope Protestant Reformed Christian School, which are next to one another on the west side.
Home to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G-League, an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets, is the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker.
The corporate headquarters of Meijer is in Walker, as is the headquarters for Bissell Homecare.
The focus of this part of our web guide is on Walker, Michigan. Topics related to the municipality, any other governmental entities within the city, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities within the city are appropriate for this category.
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Recommended Resources
Governed by a city commission government, with six elected officials serving on a commission, with an appointed city manager, Walker was organized as Walker Township in 1837 and incorporated as a city in 1962. The official municipal website posts contacts for elected and appointed positions within the city, as well as its departments, facilities, and services. Business and economic development programs and services are highlighted, also with contacts, meeting agendas, and minutes.
https://www.walker.city/
Covenant Christian High School
Established in 1968 by the Society for Protestant Reformed Secondary Education, CCHS is a parental school operated by a board of directors elected from the members of the Society. Enrolling students in grades 9-12, the school's address and a map showing its location are published on the site, along with a school calendar, tuition information, and an introduction to the school board, staff, and administrative personnel. Its curriculum, athletics programs, and library are featured.
http://www.covenantchristianhs.org/
Established as the Anaheim Arsenal in 2006 when it was formed in Anaheim, California, the team became the Springfield Armor when it moved to Springfield, Massachusetts in 2006, and the Grand Rapids Gold when it moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2014, although the team currently plays its home games in nearby Walker, Michigan. Season schedules, team rosters, and the online sale of single-game tickets, premium seating, season tickets, group packages, and corporate events are available.
https://grandrapids.gleague.nba.com/
Hope Protestant Reformed Christian School
The traditional K-8th-grade school was formed by members of the Hope, Creston, and Second Protestant Reformed Church in 1946, and the first classes began in 1947. Located in Walker Michigan, the school's address, phone and fax numbers, email address, office hours, and an online contact form are available. The school board and staff are introduced, and staff contacts are included. The school curriculum, a calendar of events, photos, and videos are presented, along with its athletics program.
https://hopeprcschool.org/
Quality Inn Grand Rapids North Walker
Located on Holton Court in Walker, Michigan, the hotel is affiliated with the Choice Hotels Group. As a Choice Hotel, eligible stays may earn points for Choice Privileges Rewards members. Its address, a map, and contacts are provided, along with a brief summary of the facilities, an overview of its guest accommodations, including rates, a list of amenities, and guest reviews and ratings. Reservations may be booked online, by phone, or by a downloadable mobile application.
https://www.choicehotels.com/michigan/walker/quality-inn-hotels/mi298
Created by the Walker Chamber of Commerce, this directory of businesses in Walker, Michigan is sorted into various categories for auto sales and service, construction equipment and contractors, family, community and civic organizations, health care, real estate, moving and storage, shopping and specialty retail, business and professional services, education, finance and insurance, manufacturing, production and wholesale, restaurants, food and beverage, and travel and tourism.
https://shopwalkermi.com/
A branch facility of the Kent District Library system, the Walker Branch is on Remembrance Road in Walker, Michigan. A brief history of the facility, its address, hours of operation, and contacts for the main office, regional managers, and youth staff are provided. Other resources include a calendar of events, an overview of branch outreach programs and services, book discussions, writers' workshops, book sales, and live-streamed events are included. Library cards may be applied online.
https://kdl.org/locations/WAL/
The non-profit business organization was formed to facilitate a sense of community between Walker area businesses through networking opportunities, educational meetings, referrals, community leadership, and visibility. Included is a member directory, member-to-member deals, and a private member log-in. An online member application is included. Other resources include a calendar of events, job postings, an online contact form, and the organization's address and phone number.
https://www.walkerchamber.org/
