BAY CITY

city, seat (1857) of Bay county, east-central Michigan, U.S. It lies along the Saginaw River near the latter's juncture with Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron), 13 miles (21 km) north of Saginaw. Settled in the 1830s, it was formed in 1857 after a series of consolidations of five villages, culminating in 1905 with the union of Bay City and West Bay City. The community thrived during the Michigan lumber boom (1850-90); but, when the local pine forests were depleted and the mills closed, it turned to soft-coal mining, commercial fishing, and beet-sugar refining. The city's economy is now geared toward both agriculture (potatoes, melons, and beets) and industry (notably the manufacture of power shovels, cement, auto and aircraft equipment, and petrochemicals). Shipbuilding is also important. With deepwater harbour facilities, it is a port for Great Lakes and ocean shipping. The city has several riverside parks, and along the bay shore lies amusement parks, bathing beaches, and summer cottages. There are boating and fishing on the river and bay. Bay City State Park is 5 miles (8 km) north of the city. Inc. city, 1865. Pop. (1991 est.) 39,240; Saginaw-Bay City-Midland MSA, 402,426.