The American Fur Company built a trading post in 1816, near the present intersection of Hamilton and Court streets; this grew into Fort Saginaw in 1822. With a small increase in population (400) by 1836, Norman Little founded Saginaw City on the west bank of the river; East Saginaw would be created on the opposite bank in 1854. Both sides of the river benefitted from the German immigrants who created farms, and investment money brought in by Jesse Hoyt, which allowed the exploitation of the forests. By 1855, 23 sawmills were churning out 100 million feet of lumber a year. | The American Fur Company built a trading post in 1816, near the present intersection of Hamilton and Court streets; this grew into Fort Saginaw in 1822. With a small increase in population (400) by 1836, Norman Little founded Saginaw City on the west bank of the river; East Saginaw would be created on the opposite bank in 1854. Both sides of the river benefitted from the German immigrants who created farms, and investment money brought in by Jesse Hoyt, which allowed the exploitation of the forests. By 1855, 23 sawmills were churning out 100 million feet of lumber a year. |