| Frankenmuth, Michigan | |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Seal Size: | 100px |
| Nicknames: | Little Bavaria, Muth, The Muth |
| Pushpin Map: | Michigan |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Label: | Frankenmuth |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the state of Michigan |
| Mapsize: | 250 |
| Coordinates: | 43.3322°N -83.7392°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name1: | Michigan |
| Subdivision Name2: | Saginaw |
| Established Title: | Settled |
| Established Date: | 1845 |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated |
| Established Date2: | 1904 (village) 1959 (city) |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Mary Anne Ackerman |
| Leader Title1: | City manager |
| Leader Name1: | Bridget Smith |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 8.20 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 3.17 |
| Area Land Km2: | 8.05 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 3.11 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.15 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.06 |
| Elevation Ft: | 637 |
| Population Total: | 4987 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Density Km2: | 619.30 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1604.05 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code(s) |
| Postal Code: | 48734 |
| Area Code: | 989 |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 26-30200[2] |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1626303 |
Frankenmuth is a city in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,987 at the 2020 census.[3] The city is surrounded by Frankenmuth Township.
The city's name is a combination of two words. Franken represents the Region of Franconia in Bavaria from which the original settlers came, and the German word Mut means "courage". Thus, the name Frankenmuth means "courage of the Franconians".[4] The most popular nickname is "Little Bavaria",[5] in reference to the city's German heritage.
The area was settled and named by conservative Lutheran immigrants from Roßtal area of Franconia in Germany.[6] The group of settlers left Germany aboard the Caroline on April 20, 1845, and arrived at Castle Garden in New York seven weeks later. They traveled via canals and the Great Lakes from New York to Detroit and arrived in August 1845. Sailing then on the Nelson Smith, the settlers made their way to Saginaw and traveled over land to what is now the city of Frankenmuth.[6]
The purpose of the settlement was primarily religious. The Lutheran group planned to start a mission among the Native Americans. One of the first large buildings was a church. However, their attempts to convert the local groups failed because most of the Native Americans were forced away within a few years.[7]
The settlers selected a hilly area that reminded them of their native Mittelfranken and began building rough shelters there. Frankenmuth was to be an exclusively German Lutheran community. The colonists pledged to remain loyal to Germany, specifically the Kingdom of Bavaria (German: Königreich Bayern), and to be faithful to the German language.[8] Germans continued arriving until the start of the Second World War.[7]
The community was originally part of Bridgeport Township and later Frankenmuth Township,[6] [9] Frankenmuth became a village in 1904. In 1938, the village hired its first village manager, Herbert L. Keinath. The village was incorporated as a city on October 1, 1959, with Keinath becoming city manager.[10]
The nearby villages of Frankenlust, Frankentrost, and Frankenhilf (now known as Richville) further illustrate that the area remained a magnet for other Germans emigrating from the same region. The German, and in particular, Franconian culture of the town, has been preserved and passed down through the generations. The German language is still prevalent in signage and speech, and German speakers continue to reside in the town. In addition, the church of St. Lorenz offers monthly services in the German language.[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.04sqmi, of which 2.99sqmi is land and 0.05sqmi is water.[11] The Cass River passes through the town.
| Largest ancestries (2010)[12] | Percent |
|---|---|
| German | 49.3% |
| 12.9% | |
| 8.6% | |
| 6.3% | |
| 4.4% | |
| 4.0% | |
There were 2,200 households, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.82.
The median age in the city was 50.1 years. 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.9% were from 25 to 44; 28% were from 45 to 64; and 28.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.
| Languages (2000)[14] | Percent |
|---|---|
| Spoke English at home | 84.78% |
| Spoke German at home | 8.74% |
| Spoke Spanish at home | 0.77% |
| Largest ancestries (2000) | Percent |
|---|---|
| 52.9% | |
| 13.2% | |
| 9.5% | |
| 7.9% | |
| 6.0% | |
| 5.8% | |
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,838 people, 2,123 households, and 1,322 families residing in the city. The population density was 1773.6sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 2,240 housing units at an average density of 821.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 98.80% White, 0.27% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
Citizens with German ancestry formed nearly 53% of the city population.
24.8% households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city, 20.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,153, and the median income for a family was $71,667. Males had a median income of $51,004 versus $29,959 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,479. About 2.4% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
Tourism and farming drive the local economy. Local festivals and other events are held to attract visitors throughout the year.[15]
In addition to tourism, a significant number of residents in and around the community work in agriculture.
In late 2022, it was announced that the Bavarian Inn Lodge would break ground on a $80 million, 140,000 square foot expansion of the resort, with the water park becoming the largest indoor park in Michigan and the 4th largest in the world.
The strong influence of Franconian-style architecture can be found in most areas of the city. Most buildings in the commercial district, as well as many homes, feature stylistic interpretations of the timber-framed buildings found in the Franconia region of Germany, which include timbers placed in "square" and "X" patterns on the outside of buildings, as well as the use of "X" patterns on windows, doors, and other building features.
The city has a council–manager form of government.[10] The city is served by the Frankenmuth School District.
By official proclamation of Lord Mayor Christian Ude on behalf of the German Parliament and city of Munich, Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest was declared in 1996 the first Oktoberfest to operate outside that city with the blessing of the original Oktoberfest.[16] The event was also moved at that time into September to coincide with the opening of the Munich event. Also, for the first time in its history, the world-famous Hofbräuhaus brewery of Munich exported its beer to the United States. Local businessman Fred Schumacher, who later became president of Hofbräuhaus of America, handled the arrangements for getting the beer to Frankenmuth in time for the Oktoberfest.[17] Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest is considered one of the most important and popular autumn festivals in the United States.
Zehnder's Holzbrücke (German for wooden bridge) is a wooden covered bridge, built in a style similar to those of the Black Forest or a river in Switzerland, over the Cass River in the middle of town. Though completed in 1979, the two-lane structure was constructed using traditional covered-bridge timber framing techniques. The floor joists and three-span Town lattice truss system of the 239feet bridge are made of of Douglas Fir, and the decking of of 4inches planks. The area receiving the greatest wear is of oak, while the remainder is spruce. Approximately of Douglas Fir make up the rafters, and the roof is shingled with cedar. An additional of pine was required for the bridge side boards. The 230-ton structure was built in place on the east bank of the river, then pulled into position over the river with a capstan and pulleys. It is wide enough to accommodate two pedestrian walkways in addition to auto traffic.[23]
Heritage Park is Frankenmuth's best-known park. Located at 601 Weiss Street, it is home to many community activities, festivals, and large events. The Harvey E. Kern Community Pavilion is the newest addition, and has become a focal point of the park. Other features include four picnic pavilions, three ball diamonds, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, basketball court, a 0.9abbr=NaNabbr= riverwalk pathway, and several facilities for festivals.[24]
A scale replica of the Silent-Night-Chapel, is located on the southern end of the property of Bronner's.[25]
The Frankenmuth News has been Frankenmuth's primary newspaper since 1906. It is released on a weekly basis (Wednesday for news stands and Thursday for residential) and focuses on issues of local concern.[26]