Ithaca

History

Along with the Native Americans, the first recorded settler in Ithaca was James J. Bush from Howell, Michigan in 1850. John Jeffery, from New York State, bought land in 1853, and permanently relocated on the land in 1855. He platted the area in 1856, assisted by Sidney S. Hastings, calling it Gratiot Center and laying out streets, lots, blocks, and even alleys. Gratiot Center was the name of its first post office, granted on November 16, 1855 with John Knight as the first postmaster. In 1856 the site was named as the county seat of Gratiot County. The settlement's name was changed on April 13, 1857 to Ithaca, after Ithaca, New York. Ithaca was incorporated as a village in 1869 and became a city in 1961.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Alma Senior High School
  High · ALMA · 558 students · 15.1:1 ratio
• Ithaca High School
  High · ITHACA · 467 students · 19.5:1 ratio
• Donald L Pavlik Middle School
  Middle · ALMA · 449 students · 18.7:1 ratio
• North Elementary School
  Elementary · ITHACA · 305 students · 21.8:1 ratio
• Luce Road Elementary School
  Elementary · ALMA · 304 students · 14.5:1 ratio
• Pine Avenue Elementary School
  Elementary · ALMA · 294 students · 17.3:1 ratio
• St Louis High School
  High · SAINT LOUIS · 292 students · 17.2:1 ratio
• Hillcrest Elementary School
  Elementary · ALMA · 268 students · 14.9:1 ratio