Heartside is a historic place where people have come and gathered for generations by river, by trail, or by train. Fulton St. was where Native American Trails came to join the Grand River. The area gradually became a location for great commerce and exchange, as many people eagerly came to the city to settle with their families and to earn a living.
This mural depicts the multitudes of immigrant communities that have settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The migration of Chinese, Hispanic, and Syrian immigrants is represented by native flowers.
On the left is the Exterior of Tea Garden Cafe, a former Chinese restaurant in Heartside. Chan Tai Wo, popularly known as "Charlie Chan" and cousin to Chan Hoy and Charles Young, operated the Tea Garden Cafe on S. Division for decades. Center there are figures of migrants harvesting fruits and vegetables for Michigan citizens. To the right is a train at Union Depot Station, the final stop for many travelers until its demolition in 1959 to make way for US-131.
