1. Michigan is known as the 'Auto State' because in 1903, Henry Ford established the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. Detroit soon became a hub for car manufacturing. 2. With over 3,288 miles of shoreline, Michigan is bordered by more water than the entire Atlantic coastline of the United States. Only <a href='https://www.factretriever.com/alaska-facts'>Alaska</a> has a longer shoreline. 3. Even though Michigan is known as the Wolverine State, there is no proof that those animals ever lived in Michigan. 4. Michigan is known as the Great <a href='https://www.factretriever.com/lake-facts'>Lakes</a> State because four of the five great lakes border Michigan. It's the only state that is bordered by more than two. 5. The name Michigan is from the Ojibwe word 'mishigami,' meaning 'large water' or 'large lake.' 6. Michigan is the only state that has two peninsulas. 7. In Michigan, it is illegal to own automatic switchblades unless you only have one arm. 9. Michigan's state motto is 'If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.' 10. There is a 'Brick D*ck' in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It's a water tower that is known as 'the most phallic building in the world.' 11. If you have a gambling problem, you can ban yourself from casinos in Michigan. Officers can even arrest you and take your winnings if you get caught. 11. About 40% of Michigan's total area of 96,716 square miles is made up of the Great <a href='https://www.factretriever.com/lake-facts'>Lakes</a>. The Great Lakes consist of the largest freshwater surface in the world, and Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake, by surface area, in the world. 12. Michigan is home to the world's largest limestone quarry. 13. Famous people from Michigan include Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, Thomas E. Dewey, and Gerald Ford. 14. The Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth is a restaurant famous for its <a href='https://www.factretriever.com/chicken-facts'>chicken</a>. It serves 600,000 pounds of chicken in its German recipes per year. 15. In 1835, Michigan and <a href='https://www.factretriever.com/ohio-facts'>Ohio</a> fought each other for Toledo. President Andrew Jackson gave the city to Ohio and gave the Upper Peninsula to Michigan instead. 16. French explorer Étienne Brûlé was the first European to explore Michigan, in 1618. 17. Michigan is the only state where Petoskey stones are found. Coral formed rare patterns on these stones about 350 million years ago. 18. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is well known in Detroit. It's one of the world's largest museums dedicated to African-American history and culture. 19. Michigan produces more blueberries and tart cherries than any other state. 20. Mackinac Island on Lake Huron is famous for its fudge. Some shops have been selling it for over 100 years. 21. Michigan is home to the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the United States. The De Zwann Windmill still produces whole wheat flour for the local community in Holland, Michigan, and beyond. 22. Michigan ranks first in boat registrations in the United States. 23. Michigan is the only state in America that has a floating post office. The J.W. Westcott II boat has been operating for 125 years and is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships. 24. Detroitians were the first people in the United States to have telephone numbers.