Manistee, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manistee, Michigan
City
The mouth of the Manistee River where it meets Lake Michigan. You can see downtown Manistee and Manistee Lake in the background.
Nickname(s):  "Salt City (of the Inland Seas)"
Where Manistee, Michigan, is located.
Manistee, Michigan Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Manistee
Area
• Total	4.53 sq mi (11.73 km2)
• Land	3.28 sq mi (8.49 km2)
• Water	1.25 sq mi (3.24 km2)
Elevation	663 ft (202 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,259
• Density	1,908.81/sq mi (737.04/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	49660
Area code(s)	231
FIPS code	26-50720
GNIS feature ID	1620680

Manistee (/mænɪsti/ man-ISS-tee) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the southwestern part of Manistee County. Manistee is part of Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula. It is also the county seat of Manistee County.

In 2020, Manistee had a population of 6,259 people. This makes it the fifth-largest city in Northern Michigan. The city sits on a narrow strip of land between Manistee Lake and Lake Michigan. The Manistee River flows right through the city, connecting the two lakes. Manistee is also located along US 31, which is a major highway in Michigan.

Understanding the Name Manistee

The name "Manistee" comes from an Ojibwe word. This word was first used for the main river in the county. It might come from ministigweyaa, which means "river with islands at its mouth." Other people believe it was an Ojibwe term meaning "spirit of the woods."

Manistee's Past: A Look at History

Long ago, in 1751, a Jesuit mission was set up in Manistee. Missionaries visited the area in the early 1800s. A Jesuit mission house was known to be on the northwest shore of Manistee Lake in 1826.

In 1832, some traders from Massachusetts built a log house along the Manistee River. However, the Odawa nation soon made them leave. The first permanent white settlement and sawmill was built there in 1841.

Early Settlements and Native American Land

Around 1830, the area of Manistee was one of about 15 Odawa (Ottawa) villages along the shore of Lake Michigan. A large part of the Manistee River Valley, including Manistee itself, was an Odawa Reservation from 1836 to 1848.

The first lasting Euro-American settlement happened on April 16, 1841. On this day, John Stronach and his son, Adam Stronach, arrived. They came to the mouth of the Manistee River in a schooner (a type of boat) with fifteen men and equipment. They then built a sawmill.

From 1836 to 1848, much of the Manistee River Valley, including Manistee itself, was an Ottawa Reservation. During the lumbering era of the late 1800s, Manistee became a significant site for lumber mills. Huge numbers of white pine logs were floated down the river to the port at Manistee and eventually on to the lumber markets of Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Chicago.

In 1846, the town was officially named "Manistee." It became part of Ottawa County, but its county offices were far away. By 1855, Manistee was part of a much larger Manistee County. This larger county also included what are now Wexford and Missaukee counties.

Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell, Manistee's first lawyer, moved there in 1860. He stayed until his death. Ramsdell owned the city's first hardware store. He also helped build a bridge across the Manistee River.

The Great Fire of 1871

On October 8, 1871, a huge fire almost completely destroyed the town. This was the same day as other big fires, like the Peshtigo Fire, the Great Chicago Fire, and fires in Port Huron and Holland. The Great Michigan Fire burned Manistee. Manistee officially became a city in 1882.

Manistee in the 21st Century

In 2000, Manistee was in the news because of a court case. A local jury found a woman guilty for comments she made in a restaurant. The judge called her actions "insulting conduct." Later, in 2002, a higher court (the state Court of Appeals) overturned the conviction. This case highlighted discussions about free speech and local rules.

Manistee's Location and Surroundings

Manistee is in the southwestern part of Manistee County in northern Michigan. To the west, it borders Lake Michigan. To the east, it borders Manistee Lake. The Manistee River connects these two lakes, flowing right through the middle of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Manistee covers about 4.53 square miles (11.73 square kilometers). About 3.28 square miles (8.49 square kilometers) is land, and 1.25 square miles (3.24 square kilometers) is water.

Nearby Towns and Roads

Nearby communities include Parkdale to the northeast and Eastlake to the east. Filer City, Oak Hill, and Stronach are to the southeast.

U.S. Route 31 goes through the center of Manistee. This highway leads northeast about 60 miles (97 km) to Traverse City. It goes south about 25 miles (40 km) to the edge of Ludington. M-55 crosses US 31 near Manistee. It leads east about 47 miles (76 km) to Cadillac.

At the mouth of the Manistee River are the Manistee Pierhead lights. These are lighthouses on the north and south piers. They were first built in 1873 and then replaced in 1927.

Manistee's Weather

Manistee's Population Over Time

Population Details from 2010

In 2010, Manistee had 6,226 people living in the city. There were 2,816 households and 1,614 families. The population density was about 1,892 people per square mile (730 per square kilometer).

Most of the people (91.5%) were White. About 3.8% were Native American. Hispanic or Latino people made up 3.4% of the population.

The average age in the city was 43.6 years. About 21.9% of residents were under 18 years old. And 18% were 65 years or older.

Manistee's Industries and Economy

In the past, Manistee was famous for its busy logging industry.

Logging and Salt Industries

In the late 1800s, Manistee was one of the world's top cities for making shingles. There were over 30 shingle mills on the Manistee River at one time. During the lumber boom of the 1880s, Manistee even had its own railroad, the Manistee and North-Eastern. It was said to have more millionaires per person than almost anywhere else in the United States!

Manistee is also known for the salt industry. Today, three factories are located on Lake Manistee: Packaging Corporation of America, Morton Salt, and Martin Marietta. Because of these factories, Manistee is called the "Salt City." The town is also a popular spot for tourists and for fishing.

Media and Entertainment in Manistee

Manistee has a radio station, WMTE-FM (101.5). Local newspapers like the Ludington Daily News and Manistee News Advocate cover the area.

Manistee is also home to 10 West Studios. This studio makes full-length movies. Some notable movies filmed in Manistee include:

• What If... (starring Kevin Sorbo and John Ratzenberger)
• Jerusalem Countdown (featuring Randy Travis, Stacy Keach, and Lee Majors)
• Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy (starring Christopher Lloyd and Ernie Hudson)
• God Bless the Broken Road (starring Jordin Sparks and Lindsay Pulsipher)

Fun Things to Do in Manistee

There are many activities and places to visit in and around Manistee.

Outdoor Activities

• Orchard Beach State Park is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Manistee.
• Manistee National Golf Resort is about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Manistee.
• Manistee Golf and Country Club was started in 1901 and is right in the city.
• There are three public beaches: Fifth Avenue Beach, a small man-made lake next to it, and First Street Beach. These are on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Local Events and Attractions

Manistee has museums, an opera house, and regular events.

The SS City of Milwaukee, a retired railroad car ferry, in Manistee harbor.

• Arcadia Area Historical Museum
• Armory Youth Project
• Kaleva Bottle House Museum (also known as the John J. Makinen Bottle House)
• Kaleva Train Depot Museum
• Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary (Michigan Audubon Society)
• Manistee County Historical Museum
• Ramsdell Theatre, home to the Manistee Civic Players.
• Riverwalk, a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) path with old-fashioned buildings and river views.
• SS City of Milwaukee, a National Historic Landmark (a very important historical site).
• Victorian Manistee Tours
• Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend
• Historic Vogue Theatre, built in 1938 with a cool Art Deco/Art Moderne design.

Shopping in Manistee

Manistee has a historic downtown area with many original buildings from the Victorian era. The entire Downtown District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can find a good variety of stores in Manistee, many of which are owned by local people.

Recreation and Sports

Manistee offers many ways to have fun and stay active.

Fishing and Hunting

• Over 40 charter fishing boats operate on Lake Michigan from Manistee County ports.
• Fishing in the Manistee River is popular for catching salmon and steelhead.
• Since a large part of the county is public land, hunting is also a popular activity.

Golf and Skiing

There are many golf courses around Manistee:

• Manistee National Golf and Resort
• Manistee Country Club
• Fox Hills Golf Course
• Wolf River Golf Park
• Fawn Crest Golf Course
• Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course

There are also two ski resorts near the city:

• Crystal Mountain (about 30 miles (48 km) north)
• Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort (about 36 miles (58 km) east)

Other Sports

• The Manistee Saints are a semi-professional baseball team. They have played in Manistee since 1934 at Rietz Park.
• You can find many disc golf courses, mountain biking trails, and hiking trails throughout Manistee County and in the city of Manistee.

Schools in Manistee

Manistee has several schools for different age groups.

Currently Open Schools

• Elementary Schools:
  • James Madison Elementary (DayCare, Pre-School, Kindergarten)
  • Thomas Jefferson Elementary (Grades 1-2)
  • Trinity Lutheran School (Kindergarten-Grade 8), a private school.
• Secondary Schools:
  • Casman Alternative Academy (Grades 7-12), offers a different way to learn for students in the area.
  • Manistee Middle/High School (Grades 6-12).
• All Grades:
  • Manistee Catholic Central School (Kindergarten-Grade 12), a private Catholic school.

Schools Temporarily Closed

• John F. Kennedy Elementary (Grades 3-5), currently closed for maintenance.

Getting Around Manistee: Transportation

• Manistee is served by Manistee County Blacker Airport (MBL), which is about 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the city. Starting in 2012, you could fly non-stop to and from Chicago. By 2023, flights were going to Chicago’s O’Hare.
• US 31 / LMCT runs through the center of Manistee. It goes south towards Scottville and Muskegon. It goes north towards Bear Lake and Traverse City.
• M-22 / LMCT starts about 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of Manistee.
• M-55 starts about 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Manistee. It goes east across the Lower Peninsula to Tawas City.
• Great Lakes Central Railroad provides train service for businesses in Manistee.

Famous People from Manistee

Many interesting people have connections to Manistee:

• Dave Campbell, a baseball player and sportscaster.
• Byron M. Cutcheon, a Civil War hero and winner of the Medal of Honor. He was also a congressman and lawyer.
• Fred W. Green, who was the governor of Michigan from 1927 to 1931.
• James Earl Jones, a famous actor. He first started acting at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee.
• Harriet Quimby, the first American woman to get a pilot's license. She was born nearby.
• Toni Trucks, an actor who also started acting at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee.
• Robert Pershing Wadlow, known as the world's tallest man in medical history. He passed away in Manistee in 1940.

Images for kids

• 

  From 1836 to 1848, much of the Manistee River Valley, including Manistee itself, was an Ottawa Reservation. During the lumbering era of the late 1800s, Manistee became a significant site for lumber mills. Huge numbers of white pine logs were floated down the river to the port at Manistee and eventually on to the lumber markets of Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Chicago.

• 

  The SS City of Milwaukee, a retired railroad car ferry, in Manistee harbor.

See also

In Spanish: Manistee para niños