The City of Zeeland, Michigan is in southern Ottawa County. It is bordered to the north by Blendon Township, the east and southeast by Zeeland Township, and the west and southwest by Holland Township.
The larger city of Holland is to the southwest, while Hudsonville is northeast of Zeeland.
I-196 is a few miles south and southeast of the city limits, while Bus I-196 runs through the southern part of the city. Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Zeeland include Holland, Hudsonville, Grandville, Saugatuck, Douglas, Fennville, Wyoming, Coopersville, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Walker, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, Allegan, and Hopkins, while the unincorporated communities of Noordeloos, Vriesland, Drenthe, Borculo, Crisp, Overisel, and Graafschap are within ten miles.
Since first appearing on a US census roll in 1880, the only decade in which Zeeland's population has declined was in 2010. Its peak population was 5,805, and its population at the time of the 2020 census was 5,719.
Zeeland shares its Dutch heritage with the neighboring city of Holland and other area communities. In 1847, four hundred and fifty-seven immigrants left the Netherlands for the United States in three ships. Those led by Jannes Vande Luyster arrived in New York first, and, after considering Iowa and Michigan as destinations, they decided to move on to Michigan. This group arrived in what was to become Holland, Michigan on June 27, 1847.
Led by a man named Steketee, the second group arrived in New York on July 4, 1847, and the third group, led by the Reverend Van Der Muelen, arrived on August 1.
Vande Luyster and his group founded Zeeland about six miles east of Holland, naming the colony for the seaside province in the Netherlands. A building to serve as the First Reformed Church was constructed first, followed by homes and businesses.
The townsite was platted in 1849, a school district was organized in 1850, and Zeeland was incorporated as a village in 1875 and as a city in 1907. By then, it had a sawmill, a wagon factory, multiple blacksmith shops, a few grocery stores, and a post office. The post office was established on September 3, 1910, with Mary E. Spruce as postmaster. The post office was closed on June 30, 1912, but was restored from April 16, 1913, with William Tollefson as postmaster, to November 30, 1933.
The Chicago & Western Michigan (Pere Marquette) Railroad opened a station in Zeeland.
Soon afterward, Zeeland had a two-story brick kindergarten building, a two-story brick grade school, four furniture factories, a large manufacturing plant, several mills, and some brick homes.
The Herman Mill Company, a large furniture manufacturing company, was founded in 1923. Other companies that soon came to Zeeland included Howard Miller Clocks, Gentex Corporation, and Mead Johnson Nutrition. Although its growth has slowed, Zeeland continues to have a strong manufacturing and industrial economy.
The Dutch heritage remains strong in Zeeland, as many of the descendants of the original immigrant settlers remain in the area. There are thirteen places of worship within three square miles, and the Dekker Huls Museum in Zeeland stores records and historic exhibits related to the city's founding and early. years.
Zeeland Public Schools operates a preschool, six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, an alternative school, and a virtual school program. Established in 1912, Zeeland Christian School is a K-12 school on one campus.
The focus of this portion of our guide is the City of Zeeland, Michigan. Topics related to the municipal government, any other governmental entities within the school, local businesses, industries, schools, churches and other places of worship, organization, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities are appropriate for this category.
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With high visibility on Washington Avenue in Zeeland, Michigan, the former Sligh/Colonial Clock Building includes office suites for lease and such common areas as conference rooms, interview rooms, and a kitchen. Current tenants are listed, with contacts, information, and links to their individual websites, when available. An email address for the building management is posted, and the building's address is included, along with notices and announcements.
http://www.colonialclockbuilding.com/
Founded in 1987 by a group of parents, the school was sold to a private owner in 1990. Using a Montessori method of education, students are taught in a variety of areas, including practical life, sensorial, numbers, language, science, and geography. Extended childcare services may also be available. The purpose and advantages of a Montessori education are featured, including comparisons with traditional education. Parent testimonials are included, and contacts are provided.
https://learningtreemontessori.net/
Situated at the western edge of Zeeland Charter Township, extending west into Holland Township, Zeeland is in Ottawa County, Michigan. The official municipal website gives contacts for the city council, boards, commissions, departments, and administrative personnel, along with employment opportunities, a calendar of events, and a guide to local recreational opportunities, educational options, transportation, and library services. City projects are highlighted.
https://cityofzeeland.com/
The City of Zealand is located at the western edge of the township, although it is administered autonomously, and the township includes the unincorporated communities of Drenthe and Friesland. The official township website posts contacts for elected and appointed township officials, departments, and forms, as well as township meeting agendas and minutes, ordinances, announcements, and contacts. Links to online resources within the township are included.
https://www.zeelandtwp.org/
Established in 1915, ZCS provides a K-12 curriculum that includes optional K-8 immersion programs for the Mandarin Chinese and Spanish languages. Its goals, core values, and curriculum are highlighted, and its board of trustees and staff are introduced. The school's admissions policies, academics, athletics, and alumni programs, tuition, and financial aid options are set forth, along with a school calendar, and an online inquiry form that can be used for additional information.
https://www.zcs.org/
