Negaunee, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Negaunee, Michigan
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Aerial view of downtown Negaunee
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| Nickname(s):
Historic Irontown USA
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Location within Marquette County
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 Negaunee, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Negaunee, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Marquette |
| Founded | 1846 |
| Incorporated | 1865 (village) 1873 (city) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.34 sq mi (37.14 km2) |
| • Land | 13.44 sq mi (34.82 km2) |
| • Water | 0.89 sq mi (2.32 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,371 ft (418 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,627 |
| • Density | 344.17/sq mi (132.88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
49866
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-56860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0633261 |
Negaunee is a city in Marquette County, Michigan. It is located in the Upper Peninsula. In 2020, about 4,627 people lived there.
The name "Negaunee" comes from an Ojibwe word, nigani. This word means "foremost, in advance, leading." It was chosen to mean "pioneer." Teal Lake is found within the city limits.
Contents
Discovering Negaunee's Past
Negaunee was built after iron ore was found in the Marquette Iron Range. This happened in the early 1800s. The Jackson Mine opened in 1845 to dig up the ore. This ore was then sent to iron factories.
The first iron factory in the Lake Superior area was set up in Negaunee. The community got its own post office in 1858. Negaunee became a village in 1865 and a city in 1873. Its first police force started in 1868.
Many immigrants moved to Negaunee as mining grew. They brought their traditions, which are still important today. Some parts of the city were left empty in the early 1900s. This was because of the risk of underground mine tunnels collapsing. The Jackson Mine stopped working in the city in the 1940s.
Exploring Negaunee's Location
Negaunee is located on the eastern side of Teal Lake. The entire lake is part of the city. The city covers about 14.45 square miles (37.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a smaller part being water.
Fun Things to Do in Negaunee
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is located near Negaunee. It is close to the Carp River. This museum teaches visitors about the history of iron mining.
Negaunee also hosts "Pioneer Days" every year. This is a fun festival held the week after July 4th.
Experience the Luge Track
Negaunee has the only full-length natural-track luge course in the United States. The Upper Peninsula Luge Club takes care of it. During winter, a part of the track is open for public use. You can try sliding down using the club's equipment. The original track was over 800 meters (about half a mile) long. It had 29 curves and a drop of 88 meters (289 feet).
Outdoor Adventures on Heritage Trails
The county's Heritage Trails go through Negaunee. These trails are great for walking, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. You can explore Old Town Negaunee and see areas where old underground mines collapsed. The Negaunee part of the trail also has a new disc golf course for you to enjoy.
Getting Around Negaunee
Major Roads and Highways
- US 41 runs through the northern part of Negaunee. It goes west towards Houghton and east towards Marquette.
- M-28 travels along with US 41 through the city. It goes west to Wakefield and east to Marquette.
- Bus. M-28 serves the downtown areas of both Negaunee and Ishpeming.
- M-35 passes east of the city. It offers another way to get to the Escanaba area. It also provides access to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport.
Bus Services
Indian Trails bus lines offer daily bus service. You can travel between Hancock and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There is a stop right in Negaunee.
Negaunee's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 2,559 | — | |
| 1880 | 3,931 | 53.6% | |
| 1890 | 6,078 | 54.6% | |
| 1900 | 6,935 | 14.1% | |
| 1910 | 8,460 | 22.0% | |
| 1920 | 7,419 | −12.3% | |
| 1930 | 6,552 | −11.7% | |
| 1940 | 6,813 | 4.0% | |
| 1950 | 6,472 | −5.0% | |
| 1960 | 6,126 | −5.3% | |
| 1970 | 5,248 | −14.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,189 | −1.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,741 | −8.6% | |
| 2000 | 4,576 | −3.5% | |
| 2010 | 4,568 | −0.2% | |
| 2020 | 4,627 | 1.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Negaunee had 4,568 people living there. The city had 1,940 households. About 30.6% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 39.7 years.
Learning in Negaunee
The Negaunee school system is called Negaunee Public Schools. In 2008, it was ranked among the top 20% of schools in Michigan.
The school system has three main buildings:
- Lakeview Elementary for kindergarten to 4th grade.
- Negaunee Middle School for 5th to 8th grade.
- Negaunee High School for 9th to 12th grade.
Negaunee's sports teams have big rivalries. They compete against the Westwood Patriots and Ishpeming Hematites. Other rivalries include the Calumet Copper Kings and Iron Mountain Mountaineers.
Negaunee's Weather
Negaunee has a climate with big temperature changes each season. Summers are warm to hot and often humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of weather is known as a humid continental climate.
Famous People from Negaunee
Many interesting people have come from Negaunee:
- Mark Ayotte (born 1964), a referee for the National Basketball Association.
- Edward Breitung (1831–1887), who was a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives.
- Bob Chase (1926–2016), a well-known sports commentator.
- Dominic Jacobetti (1920–1994), also a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives.
- Joan LeQuia (born 1937), a player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
- Steven Wiig (born 1972), an actor and musician.
- Sarah York, who became a penpal with Manuel Noriega when she was 10 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Negaunee para niños
