Original: The university was founded in 1817 in Detroit as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, about 20 years before the Michigan Territory officially became a state.
Simplified: The university was started in 1817 in Detroit, about 20 years before the Michigan became a state, and moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. The University of Michigan was started in Detroit in 1817 as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, by the governor and judges of Michigan Territory.