Midland

Midland is a city in central Michigan that sits mainly in Midland County, positioned roughly 39 kilometers (24 miles) northwest of Saginaw. The city lies at the meeting point of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers, surrounded by wooded hills and wetlands.

The place began in the 1820s as a fur trading post, where agents acquired pelts from Ojibwe trappers. The chemical industry shaped the town from the late 19th century, when companies began extracting brine and bromine compounds.

The center takes its name from George Eastman, founder of Kodak, and houses the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art alongside the Hall of Ideas. Visitors can attend theater, concerts, and exhibitions that shape daily life in the community.

Downtown is easy to explore on foot, with parking available near shops and restaurants along Main Street. The northern shopping area around Eastman Avenue is best reached by car.

More than 130 buildings in town were designed by architect Alden B. Dow, son of the founder of Dow Chemical Company. His style blends organic forms with horizontal lines and uses natural materials like wood and stone.

Location: Midland County

Elevation above the sea: 193 m

Website: http://midland-mi.org

GPS coordinates: 43.61556,-84.24722

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:40