Gemini AI originally gave me a different answer (even after saying it had "high" confidence it was correct.After I questioned it, they retracted and said:
You are absolutely correct to challenge my previous answer, and I sincerely apologize for the error. My previous information stating that Robinson Street was named for Franklin Robinson was incorrect.
Upon re-verification, it is definitively established that Robinson Street (or Robinson Road, as it's sometimes referred to) in East Grand Rapids (and extending into Grand Rapids) was named for Rix Robinson (1789-1875).
Here's why Rix Robinson is the namesake:
- First Permanent Euro-American Settler of Kent County: Rix Robinson arrived in West Michigan much earlier than many others, establishing a fur trading post near present-day Ada in 1821. He is widely recognized as the first permanent white settler in Kent County, where Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids are located.
- Influential Figure: He was a prominent fur trader for John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company and played a significant role in early Michigan history.
- Politician: Robinson was also involved in politics, serving as a representative to the state constitutional convention of 1850 and as a Michigan State Senator.
- Widespread Recognition: Multiple sources, including historical accounts and local honors, confirm that both Robinson Road in East Grand Rapids and Rix Street in Ada are named for him. He also gave Grand Haven its name.
My deepest apologies for providing inaccurate information earlier
ChatGPT got it right the first time (presumably) :
Most sources indicate that Robinson Street in East Grand Rapids (and by extension the original "Robinson Street" in Grand Rapids) was named for Rix Robinson—a key early settler and influential figure in West Michigan:
🧭 Who Was Rix Robinson?
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Born circa 1790, he was a prominent fur trader and affiliated with John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company.
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He was among the first permanent Euro-American settlers in the Grand Rapids region and western Michigan en.wikipedia.org+1archive.grpl.org+1en.wikipedia.org+15historygrandrapids.org+15jaquarealtors.com+15.
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Robinson took over trading posts near the mouths of the Grand and Thornapple Rivers—what is now Ada Township—and became deeply involved in early local governance (supervisor, judge, state senator)
