You've probably walked its path every day, but Grand River Avenue is much more than the dividing line between MSU and East Lansing. It crosses the state through suburbs, rural towns and thriving cities. Follow State News photographers along this historical Michigan road.

Detroit

Eastbound Grand River Avenue comes to a halt in downtown Detroit at Harmonie Park, an entertainment district with a German heritage dating back to the 19th century. Here, on any given day, one might find Jackie Miles playing the saxophone, pumping out tunes from The Temptations or Louis Armstrong.

Miles is no ordinary street musician, however. He happily boasts he is the official street musician of Detroit and is quick to pull out a letter from the mayor's office which designates him as so.

Miles wrote to the mayor before Super Bowl XL at Detroit's Ford Field and requested the title. "I welcome the guests to our fair city," Miles said.

Mike Itchue

Farmington

The Farmington Civic Theatre is a piece of history stuck in the middle of the city's quaint downtown.

The two-screen cinema opened in 1940 and was purchased from its original owners by the city of Farmington in 1999.

Its art deco style makes it stand out among the restaurants, barber shops and stores that neighbor the theater along the stretch of Grand River Avenue almost 70 miles southeast of Lansing.

The theater is one of the few pre-World War II movie theaters in southeastern Michigan still in operation. For those interested in its history, the theater has a small museum-like area upstairs that has old film artifacts, including an original projector.

Tickets to second-run movies are $3 for adults and $1.50 for seniors and children under 11.

Sarah Frank

Howell

Fieldstones were brought from every township of Livingston County to build the Howell Carnegie District Library. And Detroit architect Elijah E. Myers, designer of the Michigan State Capitol building, was hired to draw up the modest plans.

Located on the west end of Howell's historic downtown, the library opened in 1906 with the help of $15,000 in donations from Scottish American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

"People from the bigger cities come in and tell us we have the best little archives they've seen," library archivist Milton Charboneau said. "And of course we agree with them."

Nicholas Richer

Williamston

For a multimedia version of this story, including photos and audio, please visit our Living City section.

Green thumbs abound at Christians Greenhouse and Garden Center in Williamston.

Robert Christians started the business in 1972 with 20,000 square feet of greenhouses while he was a student at MSU.

The business has grown to a 300,000-square-foot operation on family support and sweat.

Jeana-Dee Allen

Lansing

Housed in a building constructed in 1865 in the heart of Lansing's Old Town is Gone 2 the Dogs, a store specializing in lavish gifts, treats and accessories for canines.

Jana Nicol opened the store about two and a half years ago after feeling dissatisfied working for other people. "I figured it's now or never," she said.

The shop features a small backyard where Nicol's own two dogs can catch some fresh air while she sells customers everything from doggy sunglasses to meat-flavored water.

In order to help her business grow and attract new customers, Nicol also holds various dog-oriented events throughout the year, such as dog weddings, trick or treating, Easter egg hunts and fashion shows.

Michael Cole

Portland

William Toan Park in Portland is centered at the intersection of two Grand Rivers: the avenue and the body of water.

Located at the corner of Water Street and Grand River Avenue, it offers visitors .78 acres of green grass, playground equipment and a pavilion.

The park is just a small section of the city's eight miles of river trail. The trail cuts the city in half and includes three historical bridges.

Portland resident Shawn Dempsey, 36, said a highlight of William Toan Park is its location between two ice cream shops.

Jolie Myers

Ionia

Rare breeds are commonplace at Homestead Acres in Ionia. Dexter cattle, Norwegian fjord horses, Shetland sheep, alpacas and a collection of other species make their home at the farm. Each spring, owner Yolanda Blissett and her daughter Liz Ralston harvest wool and fiber from the animals to weave into a selection of luxuriously soft products such as sweaters and scarves. A year ago, Blissett invited Ralston to move back onto the farm. "How can you turn that down?" Blissett said.

Patrick Wellever

Lowell

Settled on 83 acres in western Michigan is Rivendell Stables, a horse boarding facility boasting private riding trails, a jumping course, indoor and outdoor arenas, a pond and several outdoor enclosures. It is located in Lowell.

Rivendell also offers training options and lessons to horse-loving patrons.

The stable has been opened for two years and currently houses 31 horses. Angela Brooks, who is takes riding lessons at Rivendell, said it has a relaxing feel. She has just recently gotten back into riding from when she was young.

"Everyone should try this at least once," Brooks said.

Kristin Morin