Grand Blanc 101 - What You Probably Don't Know About Grand Blanc, Michigan

Well, what do you know about Grand Blanc,savage and named the area Big White, or Grand
Michigan? It's a town and township located inBlanc. It could have been worse. You could be in
southern Genesee County, about 10 miles south ofGibsonville or Whigville, which is what Grand Blanc
Flint and about 60 miles north of downtown Detroit.might have been had the railroad which came through
It is the headquarters of GM Service Parts Operation.in 1862 had been surveyed differently.
The city and township have a combined population ofGrand Blanc was originally much larger than it is now.
about 37,000 according to the 2000 Census. MedianActually, the people of Mt. Morris, Genesee, Flint,
household income runs about $60,000, and the schoolBurton, Mundy, Fenton and Atlas Townships all used
system is recognized by the State for its high scores.to live in Grand Blanc. In 1837 when Michigan became
It is basically an affluent bedroom community outsidea state, Grand Blanc narrowly lost out to Lansing in a
of Flint.bid to become Michigan's Capitol. And you now have
What you don't know? At the turn of the 19ththat tidbit to thank when you remember that we
Century, this was Chippewa Indian Territory. Thecould have been surrounded by politicians.
term Grand Blanc means Great or Big White inNow that you know a little about what Grand Blanc
French. This name is thought to have come from anwas, you might better appreciate what it has
Indian settlement with a man named Fisher. Fisher, itbecome. An area with beautiful homes, great schools,
seems, was a big guy. He married an Indian womanwonderful restaurants and shopping and world class
and raised a family in the Lake Copeneconic area.golf. Go ahead, explore Grand Blanc.
Early settlers here found this 'Big White' IndianYou won't be disappointed.