List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Marquette County facts for kids

Location of Marquette County in Michigan

Marquette County in Michigan is home to many amazing places that tell stories about the past! These special spots are called Michigan State Historic Sites. They are recognized because they played an important part in Michigan's history. Some of these sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important to the history of the entire United States!

This article will take you on a journey through some of these cool historic places in Marquette County. Get ready to discover old buildings, important landmarks, and sites where big events happened!

Exploring Historic Buildings and Homes

Marquette County has many old buildings that have been preserved because of their unique history or architecture.

Homes with History

• Bishop Baraga House: Located in Marquette, this was the home of Bishop Frederic Baraga, an important religious leader who worked with Native American communities in the Upper Peninsula. It was listed as a historic site in 1958.
• John Burt House: Also in Marquette, this house belonged to John Burt, a key figure in the early iron mining industry. It became a historic site in 1958.
• Dandelion Cottage: Found in Marquette, this charming house is famous because it inspired a children's book of the same name by Carroll Watson Rankin. It became a historic site in 1992.
• Julian T. Mason House: This historic home in Marquette was recognized in 1972.
• Henry R. and Mary Hewitt Mather House: Another historic home in Marquette, recognized in 1971.

Important Public Buildings

• Carnegie Public Library: In Ishpeming, this beautiful library was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped fund many libraries across the country. It became a historic site in 1980.
• City Water Works: This building in Marquette, recognized in 1981, was important for providing clean water to the city.
• Gwinn Clubhouse: Located in Gwinn, this building was part of the planned community of Gwinn, designed by a famous architect. It became a historic site in 1980.
• Ishpeming Municipal Building: This building in Ishpeming, recognized in 1980, serves as the city's main government building.
• Marquette City Hall: The historic city hall in Marquette, recognized in 1974, is a grand building where many important city decisions were made.
• Marquette County Courthouse: This impressive building in Marquette, recognized in 1976, is where legal matters for the county are handled.
• Marquette County Savings Bank: This historic bank building in Marquette, recognized in 1976, shows the financial history of the area.
• Negaunee City Hall: In Negaunee, this city hall was recognized in 1979.
• State House of Correction and Branch Prison: This historic state building in Marquette, recognized in 1974, has been an important part of the state's system for a long time.
• Union Railroad Depot: This old train station in Negaunee, recognized in 1981, was a busy hub for travelers and goods.

Sites Connected to Mining and Industry

Marquette County is famous for its rich history in iron mining. Many historic sites tell the story of this important industry.

• Burt's Discovery of Iron Ore: This informational site in Negaunee, recognized in 1956, marks where William A. Burt first discovered iron ore in the region, which led to a mining boom!
• Cliffs Shaft Mine: In Ishpeming, this mine, recognized in 1973, is a great example of the deep shafts used to extract iron ore.
• Iron Cliffs Company: This site in Negaunee, recognized in 1975, represents one of the major mining companies that operated in the area.
• Jackson Iron Company Site: Located near Negaunee, this site, recognized in 1956, is where some of the earliest iron mining in the region took place.
• Jackson Mine: Also near Negaunee, this mine, recognized in 1956, was one of the first and most important iron mines in Michigan.
• Marquette Iron Range: This informational site in Negaunee, recognized in 1956, highlights the entire area known for its vast iron ore deposits.
• Marquette Ore Docks: These massive docks in Marquette, recognized in 1956, were used to load iron ore onto ships to be transported across the Great Lakes. They are a powerful reminder of the region's industrial past.

Lighthouses and Waterways

The Great Lakes played a huge role in the history of Marquette County, and lighthouses were essential for safe travel.

• Big Bay Point Light Station: This beautiful lighthouse in Big Bay, recognized in 1988, helped guide ships safely along the coast of Lake Superior.
• Stannard Rock Lighthouse: Located far out in Lake Superior, about 45 miles north of Marquette, this incredible lighthouse, recognized in 1971, is known for being one of the most isolated lighthouses in the United States. It's a true engineering marvel!

Other Interesting Historic Sites

• Birthplace of Skiing in America: In Ishpeming, this informational site, recognized in 1957, celebrates the early days of skiing in the United States, which has strong roots in this snowy region.
• Father Marquette Park: This informational site in Marquette, recognized in 1986, honors Father Jacques Marquette, an early French explorer and missionary who explored the Great Lakes region.
• Gwinn Model Town: This informational site in Gwinn, recognized in 2008, highlights Gwinn as a specially planned community, designed with care for its residents.
• Northern Michigan University: This informational site in Marquette, recognized in 1957, marks the location of a major university that has educated many people in the region.
• Point of Beginning of First Survey of Upper Peninsula Railroad: This informational site in Marquette, recognized in 1976, marks the starting point for surveying the first railroad in the Upper Peninsula, which was vital for transporting iron ore.

Images for kids

• 

  William Bakewell

• 

  National Ski Hall of Fame

• 

  William A. Burt

• Chocolay River.jpg

  Chocolay River

• Cleveland Iron Ore Company.jpg

  Cleveland Iron Ore Company

• Grace Episcopal Church (Ishpeming, Michigan).jpg

  Grace Episcopal Church Complex

• Breitung Hotel.jpg

  Breitung Hotel (destroyed by fire)

• Marquette County Poor House.jpg

  Marquette County Poor House (demolished)

• Northern Michigan University: Kaye Hall Complex.jpg

  Kaye Hall Complex (all structures demolished)

• Pioneer Road Cemetery.jpg

  Pioneer Road Cemetery (closed)

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Marquette County, Michigan