Delaware, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Delaware, Michigan
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 Delaware, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Keweenaw |
| Township | Grant |
| Elevation | 1,109 ft (338 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 906 |
| GNIS feature ID | 624524 |
Delaware is a small, undeveloped community in Grant Township, located in Keweenaw County, Michigan. It was founded in 1846 as a town focused on copper mining. You can find it on the Keweenaw Peninsula, about ten miles south of Copper Harbor. It's also about twenty-five miles north of Calumet.
When Delaware first started, it had about 100 people. As the mining operations grew, its population reached nearly 1,200. The mining companies built everything the town needed. This included homes, mining buildings, schools, a grocery store, and even a church. Today, most of these buildings are gone. All that remains are the foundations of old mining structures and a mining tour. The town eventually faded away because there were no other jobs, and its location was very remote. The Bete Grise Light, a lighthouse, is also in this area.
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Delaware: The Snow Capital of the Midwest
Delaware is famous for being the "Snow Capital of the Midwest." The local road commission keeps track of how much snow falls here. They have records going all the way back to 1910.
How Much Snow Falls in Delaware?
On average, Delaware gets about 240 inches of snow each year. That's 20 feet of snow! This huge amount of snow is mostly due to something called Lake-effect snow. This happens when cold air moves over the warmer waters of Lake Superior. The moisture from the lake turns into snow.
Comparing Delaware's Snowfall
Delaware's average snowfall is the highest of any place in the Great Lakes region's snow belts. In fact, for the entire eastern United States, only a few mountain areas in New England get more snow. The winter of 1978–79 was a record-breaker for Delaware. That year, the station measured an incredible 390 inches of snow.
How Snowfall is Measured
Snowfall measurements in Delaware are taken once a day. However, official National Weather Service stations measure snow every six hours. This difference means that Delaware's recorded snowfall might be a bit lower than the actual amount. This is because new snow can compact and settle over a 24-hour period. For example, Mount Bohemia, a ski resort nearby, reports an average of 273 inches of snow annually. This shows how much snow the area truly gets.
