Events from the year 1954 in Michigan.
Top stories
The Associated Press United Press and Detroit Free Press, each separately ranked the state's top news stories of 1954 as follows: Democrat election victory. Landslide victory by Democrats in the November election, including Patrick V. McNamara's defeat of U.S. Senator Homer Ferguson and Governor G. Mennen Williams' election to a fourth term (AP#1, 217 points; UP#1; DFP#1) Mackinac Bridge. The start of construction on the Mackinac Bridge (AP#2, 162 points; UP#2; DFP#10) Small acquittal. The acquittal of Dr. Kenneth Small on charges that he murdered New York playboy Jules Lack, who was having an affair with Small's wife, at a Lake Michigan vacation home near Douglas, Michigan (AP#3, 153 points; UP#3; DFP#2) Death of Sen. Moody. On July 20 death, U.S. Senator Blair Moody died from chronic viral pneumonia and heart failure at University Hospital in Ann Arbor at age 52 (AP#4; DFP#5) Escape from Jackson. The escape of 13 inmates, with two women as hostages, from Michigan State Prison in Jackson (AP#5) State equalization. A decision of the Michigan Supreme Court making state equalization the basis for local property taxes (AP#6) Donald Ritchie. Donald Ritchie's false confession to the 1948 attempted assassination of Walter Reuther (AP#7; DFP#6) Automotive merger. The merger of independent automobile makers, including Studebaker, Packard, and Hudson, to become more competitive with the Big Three (AP#8; DFP#3) Bingo vote. The November 2 vote against legalizing bingo (AP#9) "Bird dog" controversy. Secretary of Defense C.E. Wilson's drew criticism for his October 11 comments about unemployment: "I have always liked bird dogs better than kennel-fed dogs. The bird dog is one that will go out and hunt for its food. The kennel-fed dog is one that waits until it is brought to him. (AP#10; DFP#8) Automobile production race, including Chrysler "face-lifting" (DFP#4) Judge John P. O'Hara's grand jury investigation of police (DFP#7) The murder of a four-year-old girl by 15-year-old Terrance DeMoss (DFP#9)
Office holders
State office holders
Governor of Michigan: G. Mennen Williams (Democrat) Lieutenant Governor of Michigan: Clarence A. Reid (Republican) Michigan Attorney General: Frank Millard (Republican) Michigan Secretary of State: Owen Cleary (Republican) Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives: Wade Van Valkenburg (Republican) Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court:
Mayors of major cities
Mayor of Detroit: Albert Cobo (Republican) Mayor of Grand Rapids: Paul G. Goebel/George Veldman Mayor of Flint: Donald W. Riegle Sr./George M. Algoe Mayor of Saginaw: George H. Fischer Mayor of Dearborn: Orville L. Hubbard Mayor of Lansing: Ralph Crego Mayor of Ann Arbor: William E. Brown Jr.
Federal office holders
U.S. Senator from Michigan: Homer S. Ferguson (Republican) U.S. Senator from Michigan: Charles E. Potter (Republican) House District 1: Thaddeus M. Machrowicz (Democrat) House District 2: George Meader (Republican) House District 3: Paul W. Shafer (Republican) House District 4: Clare Hoffman (Republican) House District 5: Gerald Ford (Republican) House District 6: Kit Clardy (Republican) House District 7: Jesse P. Wolcott (Republican) House District 8: Alvin Morell Bentley (Republican) House District 9: Ruth Thompson (Republican) House District 10: Elford Albin Cederberg (Republican) House District 11: Victor A. Knox (Republican) House District 12: John B. Bennett (Republican) House District 13: George D. O'Brien (Democrat) House District 14: Louis C. Rabaut (Democrat) House District 15: John Dingell Sr. (Democrat) House District 16: John Lesinski Jr. (Democrat) House District 17: Charles G. Oakman (Republican) House District 18: George Anthony Dondero (Republican)
Population
Sports
Baseball
1954 Detroit Tigers season – Under manager Fred Hutchinson, the Tigers compiled a 68–86 record and finished in fifth place in the American League. The team's statistical leaders included Harvey Kuenn with a .306 batting average, Ray Boone with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs, Steve Gromek with 18 wins, and Bob Miller with a 2.45 earned run average. 1954 Michigan Wolverines baseball team - Under head coach Ray Fisher, the Wolverines compiled a 22–9 record. Jack Corbett was the team captain.