Battle Creek is a city in Calhoun County, West Michigan. 2003 estimated population 53,827. The city annexed several nearby areas in the 1980s and 90s, and now has an area of 43 square miles, much of it sparsely-populated.
Well known for its breakfast cereal industry (Kelloggs and Post both started here) and the Battle Creek Sanitarium which was a high-end health spa started by W.K. Kellogg that was very popular with well-to-dos of the time. The city was prosperous for much of the twentieth century, but like many small Midwestern cities, manufacturing jobs have declined in number and wages have stagnated recently. Kellogg Cereal, which supported the now-closed Cereal City attraction, has been especially hard-hit.
The city is located next to Fort Custer, a large National Guard base. Part of the old Fort Custer army base is now a State Park.
- Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, 34 W Jackson St.
Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, 34 W Jackson St.
Battle Creek is the home of the Kellogg Company and Post Foods (division of Kraft Foods), famous for cereal and breakfast foods. The factories are located on the east side of town, but no tours are offered.
- Hart-Doyle-Inoye Federal Center, 74 North Washington Ave. The former Battle Creek Sanitarium building and its twin-towers dominate the city skyline. The building itself has a fascinating history, but current security guidelines mean that non-employees cannot enter the facilities.
- Sojurner Truth monument. Sojurner Truth, famous for her work in both women's wrights and African American freedoms was from Battle Creek and a large statue of her likeness can be see coming into town from the expressway, surrounded with various information placards.
- First United Methodist Church of Battle Creek. One of Martin Luther King, Jr's last speeches was given here. A plaque commemorates the altar from which the speech was given.
- Binder Park Zoo, +1 269 979-1351.
- Kellogg Community College. Has a permanent art collection distributed throughout the campus.
- Leila Arboretum.
- Kingman Museum. A natural history museum. Has a advanced planetarium.
Hart-Doyle-Inoye Federal Center, 74 North Washington Ave. The former Battle Creek Sanitarium building and its twin-towers dominate the city skyline. The building itself has a fascinating history, but current security guidelines mean that non-employees cannot enter the facilities.
Sojurner Truth monument. Sojurner Truth, famous for her work in both women's wrights and African American freedoms was from Battle Creek and a large statue of her likeness can be see coming into town from the expressway, surrounded with various information placards.
First United Methodist Church of Battle Creek. One of Martin Luther King, Jr's last speeches was given here. A plaque commemorates the altar from which the speech was given.
Binder Park Zoo, +1 269 979-1351.
Kellogg Community College. Has a permanent art collection distributed throughout the campus.
Leila Arboretum.
Kingman Museum. A natural history museum. Has a advanced planetarium.
- Firekeepers Casino, +1 877-352-8777. with many slots and tables games, restaurants, bars, and stage which attract many high-profile performers.
- Fort Custer State Park. Part of the old Fort Custer army facility, centered on Eagle Lake. The State Park offers camping, swimming, and boating.
- W.K. Kellogg Auditorium.
Firekeepers Casino, +1 877-352-8777. with many slots and tables games, restaurants, bars, and stage which attract many high-profile performers.
Fort Custer State Park. Part of the old Fort Custer army facility, centered on Eagle Lake. The State Park offers camping, swimming, and boating.
W.K. Kellogg Auditorium.
- Lakeview Square Mall, 5775 Beckley Road. Small shopping mall with the typical store names in and around it.
- Festival Square Market. Hosts a farmers market
Lakeview Square Mall, 5775 Beckley Road. Small shopping mall with the typical store names in and around it.
Festival Square Market. Hosts a farmers market
The usual chain-type family restaurants are clustered near I-94 on the southern edge of town.
- Clara's, 44 McCamly Street South (By the River downtown, +1 269 963-0966. a great local restaurant
Clara's, 44 McCamly Street South (By the River downtown, +1 269 963-0966. a great local restaurant
- Arcadia brewery, Michigan Avenue.
Arcadia brewery, Michigan Avenue.
- Kalamazoo
- Gull Lake is a half-hour NW of the city.
- Marshall is a pretty little town east of Battle Creek, the Dark Horse Brewery there has excellent micro-brew beer in a casual atmosphere. Marshall also has many fine Victorian houses and a pedestrian-friendly downtown.