Menominee County facts for kids

Menominee County is a name used for two different places in the United States. Both of these counties are named after the Menominee people, a Native American tribe. It's interesting because even though they share a name, they are in different states and have their own unique stories!

What is a County?

A county is like a smaller section of a state. Think of it as a local government area, similar to a district or a borough in other countries. Counties help organize things like schools, roads, and local services for the people living there.

Menominee County, Michigan

Menominee County in Michigan is located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It sits right on the border with Wisconsin.

Where is it?

This county is in the southwestern part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It has a long shoreline along Lake Michigan, which is one of the Great Lakes. The Menominee River also forms part of its western border with Wisconsin.

What is its history?

The county was officially created in 1863. It was named after the Menominee Native American tribe, who lived in this area for a very long time. In the past, logging was a huge industry here because of the many forests. People would cut down trees and float them down the rivers.

What is it like today?

Today, Menominee County, Michigan, is known for its natural beauty. It has lots of forests, rivers, and lakes, making it a great place for outdoor activities. People enjoy fishing, hunting, and boating. The county seat, which is like the main town, is also called Menominee.

• Population: Around 23,000 people live here.
• Main Activities: Tourism, outdoor recreation, and some manufacturing.

Menominee County, Wisconsin

Menominee County in Wisconsin is very special and unique. It is the only county in Wisconsin that is almost entirely made up of a Native American reservation.

Where is it?

This county is located in northeastern Wisconsin. It's surrounded by other counties like Oconto and Shawano. Most of the land within this county belongs to the Menominee Indian Reservation.

What is its history?

Menominee County, Wisconsin, was created much later than its Michigan namesake, in 1961. Its creation was part of a big change for the Menominee Nation. For a while, the United States government had a policy that tried to end the special status of Native American tribes. This was called "termination." However, the Menominee people worked hard to get their reservation status back, and Menominee County was formed to help them manage their own land and resources. This was a very important step for the tribe to regain control over their future.

What is it like today?

This county is famous for its amazing forests. The Menominee Nation has managed their forests for hundreds of years in a very sustainable way. This means they only cut down trees carefully, making sure new trees grow to replace them. This helps keep the forest healthy for future generations.

• Population: Around 4,500 people live here, and most of them are members of the Menominee Nation.
• Main Activities: Sustainable forestry, tribal businesses, and tourism.
• Unique Fact: The county seat is Keshena, which is also the main community on the Menominee Indian Reservation.