The City of Holland, was founded in 1847 by Dutch immigrants in search of religious freedom led by Dr. Van Raalte. Van Raalte chose the land due to its proximity to the Black River where it streamed to Black Lake (now Lake Macatawa) which, in turn, led to Lake Michigan. The land was inhabited by the Ottawa, which after a cultural clash with the new Dutch settlers relocated to Northport, Michigan. The city is home to the world famous Tulip Time festival each May, where more than six million tulips burst into bloom and the town turns out to celebrate it's Dutch heritage. The festival lasts for over a week and features three parades: the Volksparade, usually led by the state governor with a broom as townspeople in Dutch costume wash the street, the Muziekparade of marching bands and the Kinderparade featuring local children dressed in traditional Dutch costume and wooden shoes. The festival includes fireworks, musical shows and 1,000-2,000 klompen dancers dance on city streets in traditional wooden shoes (klompen), some which go on to represent Holland nationally. About one million tourists visit Tulip Time each year. It has been ranked as America's third largest town festival and was named Reader's Digest's best small town festival.

• In 1987, 23-year-old recent Hope College graduate and City Council member Phil Tanis was elected mayor of Holland, becoming its youngest mayor.

• Holland is home to the world's largest pickle factory. The H.J. Heinz Company has operated the factory at the same location since 1897 and currently processes over 1 million pounds of pickles per day during the green season.

• Before the introduction of the Tulip Time festival, Holland was known as the "City of Churches." There are 170 churches in Holland, many of which are affiliated the Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed of North America denominations.

• Holland's downtown is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The "Snowmelt Project" established pipes transporting warm water from the nearby power plant to travel underneath downtown with the purpose of clearing the streets and sidewalks in the downtown area of any snow.

• "DeZwaan", an original 250-year-old Dutch windmill, is situated on the city park, Windmill Island. Its height is 85 feet with 40 foot sails.