Covington, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Covington, Michigan
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Community of Covington along US 141
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Location within Baraga County
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 Covington, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Covington, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Baraga |
| Township | Covington |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.55 sq mi (9.19 km2) |
| • Land | 3.54 sq mi (9.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,598 ft (487 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 99 |
| • Density | 27.94/sq mi (10.79/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49919
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| GNIS feature ID | 623922 |
Covington is a small community in Baraga County, located in the state of Michigan. It's known as an "unincorporated community," which means it's not a separate city or town with its own local government. It's also a "census-designated place" (CDP), which is an area the U.S. Census Bureau defines for gathering population data.
In 2020, Covington had a population of 99 people. The community is found within Covington Township. It sits along US Highway 141, close to where it meets M-28. This spot is just a few miles west of US 41.
Contents
History of Covington
Covington was first settled around 1885 by people from French-Canadian backgrounds. The community got its name from the hometown of its first postmaster, which was Covington, Kentucky. In its early days, Covington was an important stop along the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway, a train line.
Early Settlers and Farming
As the forests were used for logging, farming became more common in the area. Around 1898, many Finnish settlers began to arrive. They soon became the largest group, outnumbering the earlier French and Swedish residents. These new settlers planted crops like potatoes, corn, and wheat. They also raised dairy cows for milk. Other people found jobs in the growing logging industry, which had plenty of wood.
Finnish Culture and Community
The first Finnish group in Covington was called Onnen Satama, which means "Harbor of Luck." This group was formed on November 28, 1899. A year later, Finnish Lutherans built the Covington Evangelical Lutheran Church. Over the years, the church was repaired and changed many times.
A big change happened in 1931 when Professor Elmer A. Forsberg from the Chicago Art Institute gave an altar painting to the church. Staff from the Art Institute helped design a plan to make the church bigger and remodel it. They added a sanctuary (the main worship area), a sacristy (a room for church items), and a sexton's room (for the church caretaker). The inside of the church was decorated in a unique style, mixing Art Deco with Finnish designs. The wood paneling, chandeliers, and hand-carved images of St. John and St. Peter were all designed by the Art Institute. In 1950, the church was renamed the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church. Today, it is a popular place for visitors and still has an active church community.
Covington Today
Today, Covington is well-known for its Finnish Music Festival. This festival happens every year around the Fourth of July. It features musicians who play Finnish-inspired music using traditional Finnish instruments. The festival lasts all day and includes breakfast, tours of the church, and a chicken barbecue. The community is also home to the UP Made Artist Market. This market is run by a non-profit group called the Community Women's Group and is open from May to October.
Farming, especially growing crops and raising dairy cows, is still important. The lumber industry also provides many jobs for people living in Covington.
Notable People
- Rosa Lemberg (1875–1959), a Finnish American teacher, choir leader, and social activist.
Images for kids
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Post office
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Sign
