The GRCL originated in the spring of 1928 when seven Grand Rapids high schools competed in the first City Track Meet on May 18–19.
The league's final membership consisted of the four public high schools of the Grand Rapids Public Schools (Central, Creston, Ottawa Hills and Union) plus Catholic Central, West Catholic and Christian.
The last league secretary was Melvin Atkins, the Grand Rapids Public Schools' Executive Director of Athletics and Activities.
Due to a lack of parity and competitiveness within the league because of changing enrollment figures and demographic shifts, the Grand Rapids City League had attempted in 2004 to disband and join the larger Ottawa-Kent Conference, which the majority of schools in metropolitan Grand Rapids are members of.
However, West Catholic's varsity football team did not have its first season until 1963-1964 and played as an independent for two years before entering league competition in 1965-1966.