Welcome to the History of Michigan's Beet Sugar Industry where you will discover the detailed history of many of the sugar companies that once dotted Michigan's landscape and of those that continue to add value to Michigan's economy. Much of the credit for what became one of Michigan's enduring industries is owed to Thomas Cranage who formed Michigan Sugar Company in 1898. Read his story and others in this blog.

Listing of Beet Sugar Factories Built in Michigan

The following listing displays the Michigan cities in which sugar factories were built, the capacity of tons sliced at the date of construction and the capacity at the time the factory discontinued operations or, for those still in operation, the current slicing capacity.

CITY ORIGINAL FINAL YEAR YEAR
TONNAGE TONNAGE BUILT CLOSED
White Pigeon 5 - 5 1838 - 1841
Essexville 350 - 500 1898 - 1905
Holland 350 - 350 1899 - 1942
Kalamazoo 500 - 500 1899 - 1903
Rochester 500 - 500 1899 - 1903
Benton Harbor 350 - 350 1899 - 1900
Essexville 600 - 1400 1899 - 1932
Alma 600 - 600 1899 - 1951
West Bay City 500 - 900 1899 - 1941
Caro 600 - 3600 1899 - Continues
Marine City 350 - 600 1900 - 1919
Salzburg(Bay City)400 - 8000 1901 - Continues
Lansing 600 - 1100 1901 - 1950
Saginaw 600 - 600 1902 - 1903
Carrollton 600 - 3200 1902 - 2005
Mount Clemens 600 - 1250 1902 - 1950
Croswell 600 - 3850 1902 - Continues
Sebewaing 600 - 6000 1902 - Continues
St.Louis 500 - Unknown 1903 - 1954
Menominee 1000 - 1300 1903 - 1954
Owosso 1000 - 1600 1903 - 1933
East Tawas 600 - 600 1903 - 1904
Blissfield 600 - 1000 1905 - 1950
Charlevoix 600 - 600 1906 - 1911
Mount Pleasant 1200 - 1400 1920 - 1947