Grand Marais, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grand Marais, Michigan
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Intersection of M-77 and H-58
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| Motto(s):
Eastern Gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores
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Location within Alger County
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 Grand Marais, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Grand Marais, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County |  Alger |
| Township | Burt |
| Established | 1882 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.24 sq mi (8.4 km2) |
| • Land | 1.89 sq mi (4.9 km2) |
| • Water | 1.35 sq mi (3.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 234 |
| • Density | 123.61/sq mi (47.73/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49839
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-33440 |
| GNIS feature ID | 627096 |
| Grand Marais Informational Designation |
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| Location | Grand Marais, Michigan |
| Built | 1882 |
| Designated | August 14, 1962 |
Grand Marais (pronounced grand mə-RAY) is a small town in Alger County, Michigan. It is located on the shores of Lake Superior. This community is known as the eastern entrance to the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. You can reach it by following H-58.
Contents
History of Grand Marais
The name Grand Marais comes from French words. It means "great marsh" or "harbor of refuge." French explorers and fur traders used this name a long time ago. They called it this because of its large, shallow harbor.
A breakwater was built later to protect the harbor. It reaches out from the bay into Lake Superior. At the end of this breakwater is the Grand Marais Outer Range Light. Its special lens, called a Fresnel lens, still works today. This is one of only 70 such lenses still working in the United States. Many people in Grand Marais care about keeping the harbor working. This means fixing the breakwater and keeping the harbor clear of sand.
Grand Marais was once home to a U.S. Life-Saving Service Station. This station helped rescue people from shipwrecks on Lake Superior. It was one of five such stations along this part of the coast. In 1915, these stations became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Lighthouse Service also joined the Coast Guard in 1939.
From 1954 to 1957, Grand Marais had an Air Force Station. This station used radar to watch the northern border of the United States.
Winning the "We Hear You America" Contest
In 2011, Grand Marais became famous across the country. It won a contest sponsored by Reader's Digest magazine. The town, with about 300 people, needed money to fix its harbor breakwater. The breakwater was falling apart, and sand was filling the harbor. This was a big problem because the harbor was a safe place for sailors on Lake Superior.
People voted for Grand Marais online in the "We Hear You America" contest. The town received over 1.2 million "cheers." It won the top prize of $40,000. This money helped with the harbor repairs. It also brought a lot of attention to Grand Marais.
Geography
Grand Marais is at the very northern end of M-77. To the south, you can find Seney and the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
Population Data
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 234 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Grand Marais was 234 people.
Fun Activities and Culture
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Grand Marais is a great place to visit all year round. In winter, many people enjoy snowmobiling. During the summer, popular activities include swimming, hiking, boating, and kayaking. You can also look for beautiful agates on the beach or go fishing.
Here are some interesting places and events in Grand Marais:
- The old Coast Guard Life-Saving Station is now a ranger station. This station had the last radio talk with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald before it sank in 1975. The former keeper's house at the station is now the Grand Marais Maritime Museum.
- The Pickle Barrel House Museum, built in 1926, is a unique building shaped like two pickle barrels.
- The Au Sable Light is a historic lighthouse. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Muskallonge Lake State Park is nearby, offering outdoor fun.
- Sable Falls, a beautiful waterfall, is located west of Grand Marais.
- The Gitche Gumee Agate and History Museum teaches about local history and agates.
- The Lake Superior Brewing Company has a brewery and pub in Grand Marais.
- In mid-June, the harbor hosts an annual seaplane fly-in. Pilots gather to show off their seaplanes.
- In mid-July, the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium takes place. This event brings sea kayakers from all over the country. It is known as the biggest and oldest sea kayaking event on the Great Lakes.
- In early August, Grand Marais hosts a music and arts festival. It features folk and rock music, along with local art.
The famous Michigan writer Jim Harrison (1937–2016) had a cabin in Grand Marais. He would come here to relax and write.
Education
Students in Grand Marais attend schools in the Burt Township Schools district.
Getting Around
Highways
- M-77 ends in Grand Marais, just north of where it meets H-58.
- H-58 is a county road that goes through Grand Marais from east to west.
Airport
- The Grand Marais Airport is a small airport for general aviation.
