Ishpeming, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ishpeming, Michigan
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| Etymology: from Anishinaabe ishpiming, meaning 'above, in the air, on high' | |
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Location within Marquette County
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 Ishpeming, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Ishpeming, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Marquette |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.36 sq mi (24.23 km2) |
| • Land | 8.75 sq mi (22.66 km2) |
| • Water | 0.61 sq mi (1.58 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,407 ft (429 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,140 |
| • Density | 701.87/sq mi (270.99/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
49849
49865 (National Mine) |
| Area code(s) | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-41220 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0629103 |
Ishpeming is a city in Marquette County, Michigan, United States. It's located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 2020, about 6,140 people lived there. This number is smaller than it was in the 1950s and 1960s, when many more people worked in the Iron ore mines.
A special statue of a Native American figure, called "Old Ish," stands in the town square. It was put there in 1884. Ishpeming is also known as the place where organized skiing in the United States began. It is home to the National Ski Hall of Fame. The city's name, "Ishpeming," comes from an Ojibwe word meaning "above, in the air, or on high."
Contents
Where is Ishpeming?
Ishpeming is located in the middle of Marquette County. It is about 15 miles (24 km) west of Marquette, which is the main city of the county. To the east, Ishpeming borders the city of Negaunee.
The city covers about 9.35 square miles (24.23 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. Ishpeming is quite high up, about 1,436 feet (438 meters) above sea level. This is more than 800 feet (244 meters) higher than nearby Lake Superior. Because of its high location, Ishpeming and the areas around it get a lot of lake-effect snow every year.
What's the Weather Like?
Ishpeming has a climate with big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are usually warm to hot and can be humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate.
| Climate data for Ishpeming, Michigan, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 2007–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 45 (7) |
58 (14) |
81 (27) |
84 (29) |
92 (33) |
95 (35) |
95 (35) |
93 (34) |
90 (32) |
86 (30) |
75 (24) |
54 (12) |
95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 22.1 (−5.5) |
25.0 (−3.9) |
35.5 (1.9) |
47.4 (8.6) |
62.4 (16.9) |
72.2 (22.3) |
77.6 (25.3) |
75.8 (24.3) |
67.9 (19.9) |
53.2 (11.8) |
38.2 (3.4) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
50.4 (10.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.1 (−9.9) |
15.3 (−9.3) |
23.9 (−4.5) |
36.2 (2.3) |
50.2 (10.1) |
60.5 (15.8) |
65.3 (18.5) |
63.4 (17.4) |
56.0 (13.3) |
43.3 (6.3) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
19.5 (−6.9) |
39.8 (4.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 6.1 (−14.4) |
5.6 (−14.7) |
12.2 (−11.0) |
25.0 (−3.9) |
38.1 (3.4) |
48.9 (9.4) |
53.0 (11.7) |
51.0 (10.6) |
44.1 (6.7) |
33.3 (0.7) |
22.6 (−5.2) |
12.2 (−11.0) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −25 (−32) |
−30 (−34) |
−26 (−32) |
−7 (−22) |
21 (−6) |
30 (−1) |
38 (3) |
33 (1) |
26 (−3) |
9 (−13) |
−11 (−24) |
−22 (−30) |
−30 (−34) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.59 (40) |
1.34 (34) |
1.23 (31) |
2.41 (61) |
2.95 (75) |
3.09 (78) |
3.88 (99) |
2.36 (60) |
3.61 (92) |
3.61 (92) |
2.19 (56) |
1.99 (51) |
30.25 (769) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 18.0 | 13.9 | 11.0 | 11.9 | 11.8 | 11.7 | 11.0 | 10.1 | 13.8 | 15.5 | 14.1 | 17.3 | 160.1 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
Who Lives in Ishpeming?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 6,039 | — | |
| 1890 | 11,197 | 85.4% | |
| 1900 | 13,255 | 18.4% | |
| 1910 | 12,448 | −6.1% | |
| 1920 | 10,500 | −15.6% | |
| 1930 | 9,238 | −12.0% | |
| 1940 | 9,491 | 2.7% | |
| 1950 | 8,962 | −5.6% | |
| 1960 | 8,857 | −1.2% | |
| 1970 | 8,245 | −6.9% | |
| 1980 | 7,538 | −8.6% | |
| 1990 | 7,200 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 6,686 | −7.1% | |
| 2010 | 6,470 | −3.2% | |
| 2020 | 6,140 | −5.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, about 6,470 people lived in Ishpeming. There were 2,824 households, which are groups of people living together. Many households were families, including married couples and single-parent families.
The average age of people in the city was about 40 years old. About 21.7% of the people were under 18 years old. About 17% were 65 years or older.
How to Get Around
Ishpeming has different ways to travel:
Roads
- US 41 goes through the northern part of Ishpeming. It connects to cities like Houghton and Marquette.
- M-28 also runs with US 41. It goes west towards Wakefield and east to Marquette.
- M-28 Business helps people get to the downtown areas of both Negaunee and Ishpeming.
Air Travel
- The closest airport is Sawyer International Airport, about 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Ishpeming. You can catch flights to big cities like Chicago and Detroit from there.
Buses
- Marquette has a bus system called "MarqTran". It serves Ishpeming and nearby places, including the airport and Negaunee.
- Indian Trails bus lines also offer daily bus service between Hancock and Milwaukee, with a stop in Ishpeming.
Trains (Past)
- Until 1969, a train called the "Peninsula 400" ran from Chicago to Ishpeming.
Cool Historical Facts
Ishpeming has a rich history with several interesting events:
- The movie Anatomy of a Murder was filmed in Ishpeming and nearby areas in 1959. It was based on a book by John D. Voelker, who was from Ishpeming.
- The Green Bay Packers football team played their very first away game in Ishpeming on October 19, 1919. They won against the local Twin City Football Team with a score of 33–0.
- In the late 1800s, many people from a town in Sweden called Åtvidaberg moved to Ishpeming. This happened because copper mines in their home area closed down. A special plaque was put up in Sweden in 1994 to remember this.
- The National Ski Association was started in Ishpeming on February 21, 1905. This group later became the United States Ski and Snowboard Association. Carl Tellefsen, a local banker and skier, founded it.
- On November 3, 1926, a sad event occurred when 51 people lost their lives in a mine collapse in or near Ishpeming.
Famous People from Ishpeming
Many talented people have connections to Ishpeming:
- Will H. Bradley: A famous illustrator and designer known for his Art Nouveau style.
- Chuck Fairbanks: A well-known football coach for both college and professional teams.
- Tom Izzo: The head coach for the Michigan State University basketball team.
- Clarence "Kelly" Johnson: A brilliant aviation engineer who designed famous planes like the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
- Glenn T. Seaborg: A chemist who won a Nobel Prize.
- John D. Voelker: An author and a Michigan state Supreme Court justice.
- Leonard C. Ward: A United States Army brigadier general.
- Da Yoopers: A popular band.
Fun Places to Visit
Ishpeming has several interesting places to explore:
- Al Quaal Recreation Center
- Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum: This museum tells the story of mining in the area.
- Jasper Knob: A unique hill made of a special rock called jaspillite.
- The Mather Inn
- National Ski Hall of Fame: Learn about the history of skiing and famous skiers.
- Old Ish Statue: The statue mentioned earlier in the article.
- W.C. Peterson Auditorium
- Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library
- Lake Bancroft
- Ishpeming Area Historical Society & Museum: A place to learn about the city's history, including famous people and local businesses.
Schools in Ishpeming
Ishpeming has its own school district, Ishpeming Public School District No. 1, which includes:
- Ishpeming High School: Their sports teams are called the Hematites, named after the iron ore mined in the city.
- Ishpeming Middle School (shares a building with the high school).
- Birchview Elementary School.
In the nearby Ishpeming Township, the NICE Community School District serves students with:
- Westwood High School (Mascot: Patriots)
- Aspen Ridge Middle School (Mascot: Patriots)
- Aspen Ridge Elementary School (Mascot: Patriots)
There is also an alternative high school called INN Community School, located in Ishpeming.
Media
Ishpeming is home to WBUP, a local TV station that is part of the ABC network. Its studios are in Ishpeming. The city is mainly served by the Marquette media market.
Places of Worship
Ishpeming has many different churches and places of worship:
- Bethany Lutheran Church
- Bethel Lutheran Church
- Bible Baptist Church
- Cross Bridge Church
- Christ The King Lutheran Church
- NorthIron Church
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Old Fashioned Baptist Church
- St. Jacob Orthodox Christian Mission
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
- St. Joseph Catholic Church
- Trinity Lutheran Church
- United Evangelical Covenant Church
- Wesley United Methodist Church
- The Salvation Army
Festivals and Events
Ishpeming hosts several fun events throughout the year:
- Noquemanon Ski Marathon: A big skiing event in January.
- National Ski Hall of Fame membership induction ceremonies: New members are welcomed into the Ski Hall of Fame.
- St. Rocco and St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming annual "Italian Fest": A celebration in July.
- Marji Gesick 100 MTB race: A mountain bike race in September.
Images for kids
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Plaque commemorating Swedish emigration to Ishpeming.
See also
In Spanish: Ishpeming (Míchigan) para niños
