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This partial list of city nicknames in Michigan compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Michigan are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Adrian – The Maple City Alma – Scotland, USA Ann Arbor A2 or A-squaredMichigan Lingo in 2006 Graduate Handbook for the Political Science Department of the University of Michigan Tree Townhttp://www.a2gov.org/news/Documents/TTL_Nov_2007.pdf Atlanta – Elk Capital of Michigan Battle Creek Breakfast Capital of the World Cereal Bowl of the World Cereal City Beaver Island – America's Emerald Isle Belding Apple Capital Silk City Berrien Springs – Christmas Pickle Capital of the World Cadillac – Chestnut Town USA Calumet – Coppertown USA Champion – Horse Pulling Capital of the U.P. Colon – Magic Capital of the World Davison – City of Flags Detroit America's Comeback City Arsenal of Democracy City of Trees Hitsville, USA HockeytownSaul Anuzis, All Eyes Look to Michigan: A Report From the Presidential Hustings , Human Events, November 6, 2007 The Motor CityClaims to Fame - Business , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007 Motown The D The Paris of the Midwest The Renaissance CityDetroit: Sights & Activities, Fodor's, accessed May 8, 2007 "Though the city nicknamed itself "Renaissance City" in the 1970s, it did little to deserve the title until recently." Drummond Island – Gem of the Huron Dundee – Hub of the Highways Eaton Rapids – The Island City Eau Claire – Cherry Pit Spitting Capital of the World Elsie – Michigan's Dairy Capital Escanaba – Esky Fairview – Wild Turkey Capital of Michigan Flint The Auto City The Birthplace of General Motors Buick City The Vehicle City Frankenmuth – Michigan's Little Bavaria Fremont – Baby Food Capital of the World Gaylord – Michigan's Alpine Village Glenn – The Pancake Town Grand Haven – Coast Guard City, USA Grand Rapids Furniture City Beer City USA Greenville – The Danish Festival City Hamtramck City Within the City The World Within Two Square Miles Holland – Tulip City Huntington Woods – City of Homes Jackson – Birthplace of the Republican Party Kalamazoo Bedding Plant Capital of the World Celery City Kazoo (or K'Zoo) Mall City (first outdoor pedestrian mall in the US) The Paper City Kalkaska – Trout Capital of Michigan Kingsley – A Little Bit of Paradise Lake City – Christmas Tree Capital Linwood – Michigan's Walleye Capital Manistee – Salt City Marlette - Heart Of the Thumb Marquette – Queen City of the North Mayfield – Birthplace of the Adams Fly Mesick – Mushroom Capital of the World Mount Clemens – Bath City Mount Pleasant – The Oil Capital of Michigan Muskegon The Beer Tent Capital of the World Port City The Riviera of the Midwest Lumber Queen of the World The Skee Skeetown Naubinway – Top of the Lake Negaunee – Irontown, USA Newberry – Moose Capital of Michigan Niles The City of Four Flags Garden City Northville – Switzerland of Wayne County Oceana County – Asparagus Capital of the World Omer – Michigan's Smallest City Onaway – Sturgeon Capital of Michigan Oscoda – Paddletown USA Paradise – Wild Blueberry Capital of Michigan Pellston – Icebox of the Nation Pinconning – Cheese Capital of Michigan Plainwell – The Island City Port Huron – Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes Portland – City of Two Rivers Rogers City The Nautical City Rocket City Romulus – Gateway to the World, Romtown Rudyard – Snowy Owl Capital of Michigan Saint Johns – The Mint City Saint Louis – Middle of the Mitten Sault Ste. Marie The Soo Michigan's Oldest City (founded 1668) South Haven – Blueberry Capital of the World Sturgis – Electric City Taylor – Taylortucky Traverse City Cherry Capital of the World Hockeytown North T City The Bay Area Utica Hothouse Rhubarb Capital of the World Mushroom Capital of Michigan Vassar – Cork Pine City Vicksburg – The Village with a Vision Whitefish Point – Cranberry Capital of Michigan Ypsilanti Ypsi Ypsiltucky