Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city of 52,374 people in Calhoun County, Michigan, founded in 1831.
Why visit Battle Creek
Townapedia lists 46 museums and landmarks, 57 parks and trails, 105 places to eat, 18 places to stay and 4 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include JC Cinema, West Columbia 7, Battle Creek City Hall and Adam C. Arnold Block.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83°F; January lows average 17°F.
Weather in Battle Creek
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Battle Creek
Battle Creek is a city in northwestern Calhoun County, Michigan, United States. It sits at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 52,731. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses all of Calhoun County.
From the Wikipedia article Battle Creek, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do4
Museums and landmarks46
Battle Creek City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
City hall in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
Adam C. Arnold Block
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Demolished commercial building in Battle Creek, Michigan
Advent Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
United States historic place
Battle Creek Sanitarium
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Health resort
Battle Creek Tower
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Mixed-use commercial and residential building located at 70 West Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek, Michigan
City Hall Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic district in Battle Creek, Michigan
Climax Post Office Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 6.9 mi
Building in Climax, Michigan, United States
Frank and Dorothy Ward House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Residence in Battle Creek, Michigan
Heritage Tower
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Mixed-use commercial and residential building in Battle Creek, Michigan
Maple Street Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Residential historic district located at 161-342 Capital Avenue NE in Battle Creek, Michigan
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Michigan Central Railroad Depot
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Station in Battle Creek, Michigan
34 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds57
Leila Arboretum
Park · 2.7 mi
The Leila Arboretum 72 acres is an arboretum and garden located at 928 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan. It is open to the public.
928 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek
45 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes105
Asian Buffet Hibachi Grill
Restaurant · Chinese, Buffet · 3.6 mi
5700 Beckley Road, Battle Creek
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-21:30
Big Boy
Restaurant · Burger · 0.4 mi
2183 West Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek
Mo-Th 08:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Biggby Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 5.2 mi
1125 East Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek
Mo-Sa 06:00-20:00, Su 07:00-20:00
Fiesta Mexicana Cantina & Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.9 mi
181 East Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek
11:00-21:00
Fox's Pizza Den
Restaurant · Pizza · 4.9 mi
12898 Beadle Lake Road, Battle Creek
Mo-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 11:00-21:00
Lucky Rooster
Restaurant · Italian, Local · 3.5 mi
1299 East Columbia Avenue
Mo-Sa 16:00-22:00; Su 12:00-18:00
Olive Garden
Restaurant · Italian · 3.5 mi
5727 Beckley Road, Battle Creek
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00, Su 11:00-22:00
Pizza Sam's
Restaurant · Pizza, Sandwich, Salad · 3.4 mi
1282 East Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek
Mo-Th 10:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-24:00; Su 15:00-21:00
Sir Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 3.7 mi
198 Vale Street, Battle Creek
Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-23:00; Sa 16:00-23:00; Su 16:00-21:00
The Base Bar & Grill
Bar and pub · American · 2.3 mi
3905 West Dickman Road, Springfield
Tu-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00
93 more on the map.
History
In about 1774, the Potawatomi and the Ottawa Native American tribes formed a joint village near the future Battle Creek, Michigan. The first permanent European settlements in Battle Creek Township, after the removal of the Potawatomi to a reservation, began about 1831. Westward migration from New York and New England had increased to Michigan following the completion of the Erie Canal in New York in 1824. Most settlers chose to locate on the Goguac prairie, which was fertile and easily cultivated. A post office was opened in Battle Creek in 1832 under Postmaster Pollodore Hudson. The first school was taught in a small log house about 1833 or 1834. Asa Langley and several workers (Adrian Godbey, Jackson Morgan, Ethan baker, etc.) built the first sawmill in 1837. A brick manufacturing plant, called the oldest enterprise in the township, was established in 1840 by Simon Carr and operated until 1903. The township was established by act of the legislature in 1839.
In the antebellum era, the city was a major stop on the Underground Railroad, used by fugitive slaves to escape to freedom in Michigan and Canada. It was the chosen home of noted abolitionist Sojourner Truth after her escape from slavery.
From the History section of Battle Creek, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay18
Churches and places of worship18
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 2.5 mi
636 West Van Buren Street, Battle Creek
First Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 2.8 mi
80 Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek
First Presbyterian Church
Church · Presbyterian · 3.0 mi
111 Capital Avenue Northeast, Battle Creek
The Compassion Movement
Church · Foursquare · 2.1 mi
13555 Helmer Road South, Battle Creek
Victory Life Church
Church · Nondenominational · 3.9 mi
6892 D Drive North, Battle Creek
Shopping24
Gas and EV charging41
Schools, colleges and libraries67
Healthcare8
Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center
Hospital · 4.4 mi
5500 Armstrong Road, Battle Creek
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital - Fieldstone Center
Hospital · 2.9 mi
165 North Washington Avenue, Battle Creek
Map of Battle Creek
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 17°F | 1.6 in |
| Feb | 34°F | 19°F | 1.2 in |
| Mar | 45°F | 27°F | 1.7 in |
| Apr | 59°F | 37°F | 2.9 in |
| May | 70°F | 49°F | 3.7 in |
| Jun | 79°F | 58°F | 3.4 in |
| Jul | 83°F | 62°F | 3.4 in |
| Aug | 81°F | 61°F | 3.4 in |
| Sep | 74°F | 53°F | 3.2 in |
| Oct | 61°F | 42°F | 3.5 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 32°F | 2.1 in |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 1.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Battle Creek Kellogg Ap (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Calhoun County has had 5 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2003-09-23: Power Outage (Other)
- 2001-01-10: Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
W. K. Kellogg Regional Airport (BTL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 1 miles away.
- Springfield 2 mi north, about 3 min by car
- Level Park-Oak Park 5 mi north, about 9 min by car
- Brownlee Park 5 mi east, about 8 min by car
- Augusta 7 mi northwest, about 11 min by car
- Climax 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Galesburg 10 mi west, about 16 min by car
- South Gull Lake 11 mi northwest, about 17 min by car
- Marshall 13 mi east, about 21 min by car
- Lansing 45 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Grand Rapids 51 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Battle Creek, Michigan (2008), battlecreekcvb, CC BY 2.0
- Grave of Paul Werntz Shafer (1893–1954) at Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek, MI, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek, MI entrance, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Senator Stabenow watches a demonstration of the cyber protection capabilities at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. (19556610615), Senator Stabenow, CC BY 2.0
- Touring the Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek with Congressman Upton. (19549802332), Senator Stabenow, CC BY 2.0
- Amtrak Wolverine arriving at Battle Creek, August 1996, David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Battle creek amtrak station, Randall J. Berry at en.wikipedia, Public domain
- Former branch office of Michigan National Bank, downtown Battle Creek, Michigan, 2024-03-31, Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grave of Verner Wright Main (1885–1965) at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Charles William Post (1854–1914) at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek 1, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Charles William Post (1854–1914) at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek 2, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Funeral of Ellen G. White in Battle Creek 3, W. R. French, Public domain
- Funeral of Ellen G. White in Battle Creek 2, W. R. French, Public domain
- Grave of Charles M. Holton (1838–1899) at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek 2, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Charles M. Holton (1838–1899) at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Funeral of Ellen G. White in Battle Creek 5, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Funeral of Ellen G. White in Battle Creek 6, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Funeral of Ellen G. White in Battle Creek 4, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Battle Creek City Hall-Battle Creek, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- ClarasontheRiver1, Claramare, Public domain
- The Battle Creek Federal Center (battlecreekcvb) 001, Battle Creek CVB, CC BY 2.0
- Phelps Sanitarium Battle Creek, AC Besselman and Co, Public domain
- Battle Creek Post Office, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- American Legion Hospital Battle Creek, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Advent Historic District, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Adam C Arnold Block Battle Creek, Randy L Case, Public domain
- Old Climax Post Office, Charles W. Chapman, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Richard and Mary Woodward Gregory House-, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Merrit House, Jim Roberts, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Kellogg House (battlecreekcvb) 002, Battle Creek CVB, CC BY 2.0
- Penniman Castle, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Record Printing and Box Battle Creek, Battle Creek City Directory, Public domain
- WMU SkyBroncos National Championship Banner, Usfcartwright, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Frank and Dorothy Ward House, Jim Roberts, CC BY-SA 4.0
- WMU College of Aviation, MSwierenga, CC BY-SA 4.0
- WMU College of Aviation Education Center, MSwierenga, CC BY-SA 4.0
- WMU Aviation's Cirrus SR20, MSwierenga, CC BY-SA 4.0
- ISS030-E-252831 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- WFAT, Justahumanonline, CC BY-SA 4.0
- WFAT (59345), Justahumanonline, CC BY-SA 4.0
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