Best Web Design in East Jordan, MI (2026)

Web Design for East Jordan, Michigan

East Jordan is a small Charlevoix County city of about 2,239 people at the tip of the south arm of Lake Charlevoix, where the Jordan River empties into the lake. Founded as a 1870s logging town, it is best known as the birthplace and world headquarters of EJ, formerly East Jordan Iron Works, whose manhole covers and municipal castings show up on streets across the globe. Its summer identity centers on the multi-day Freedom Festival with fireworks over the lake.

AppWT serves East Jordan and the surrounding Michigan area from Livonia, Michigan.

About East Jordan

Also known as. Where River, Lake, and Friendly People Meet (official motto).

History. The area was first settled by Canadian William Empey in 1873, who built the first store in 1874 at the mouth of the Jordan River. A post office opened May 31, 1878, with Empey as the first postmaster. The foundry that became East Jordan Iron Works was established November 8, 1883, by William E. Malpass and his father-in-law Richard W. Round (as the Round and Malpass Foundry) to serve the booming lumber industry. In 1886, William's brother James joined the business and it was renamed East Jordan Iron Works. Incorporated as a village in 1887 and as a city in 1911. Two railroads served the city by the 1890s-1900s: the Detroit and Charlevoix Railroad (mainline built through the east side in 1899) and the East Jordan and Southern Railroad (operated on the western end, 1901-1961).

Local economy. EJ (formerly East Jordan Iron Works), founded in 1883 and renamed EJ in 2012, remains headquartered in the small town where it began and is the dominant employer. EJ manufactures iron construction castings, manhole covers, fabricated and composite products, and water/sewer/utility access infrastructure, supplying projects on six of the seven continents. The company operates additional foundries in Elmira, Michigan; Ardmore, Oklahoma; and Picardie, France. The town has historically hosted several industrial corporations rooted in its lumber-era origins.

Culture and community. The East Jordan Freedom Festival is the signature summer event: a five-day June celebration drawing 10,000-plus people with a Friday-night block party, youth and grand parades, a carnival, food booths, live music and fireworks launched from a barge on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix. The city's waterfront setting on Lake Charlevoix and the Jordan River shapes a recreation- and lake-oriented local culture.

What makes East Jordan distinct. Manhole covers and municipal castings made in this town of about 2,200 people are installed in more than 140 countries and on six of seven continents, so a piece of East Jordan is quite literally underfoot around the world. Despite growing into a global infrastructure manufacturer, EJ deliberately kept its corporate headquarters in its tiny founding hometown rather than relocating to a major city. The company changed its name from East Jordan Iron Works to simply 'EJ' in 2012 for the global market, but kept its commitment to the town.

East Jordan Landmarks and Local Life

• The south arm of Lake Charlevoix - which terminates at East Jordan
• The Jordan River - at whose mouth the town was founded
• East Jordan Lumber Company Store Building (1899) - listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Votruba Block (1899) - listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• East Jordan City Airport.

What AppWT Web & AI Solutions Builds for East Jordan Businesses

AI-first web design, SEO with GEO and AIVO, voice-search readiness and ongoing care. See the full service list.

Ready for a website that wins East Jordan search?

Schedule a free consultation · Call (888) 565-0171