Nunica, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nunica, Michigan
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 Nunica, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ottawa |
| Township | Crockery |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.83 sq mi (4.75 km2) |
| • Land | 1.83 sq mi (4.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 351 |
| • Density | 191.70/sq mi (74.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 616 |
| GNIS feature ID | 633785 |
Nunica is a small community in Michigan, United States. It's located in Ottawa County, within Crockery Township. You can find it near where major roads like I-96, M-104, and M-231 meet. As of 2020, about 351 people live there.
The name Nunica comes from the Native American word menonica. This word means "clay earth." This special clay was used to make pottery. It's also how nearby Crockery Creek got its name!
Contents
History of Nunica
Early Days and Name Origin
The area around Nunica has been home to the Ottawa Native Americans for many centuries. The first European settlers arrived in the 1830s. Manley Patchin came in 1836, and William Hathaway, Jr., followed in 1839.
Hathaway became the first postmaster for a place called Crockery Creek in 1848. Later, in 1859, the post office name changed to Nunica. Henry Ernst officially mapped out the settlement in 1865.
Growth and Challenges
Nunica grew quickly in the early 1900s. People moved there to mine for zinc and to farm. The Grand Trunk Western Railroad also helped the town grow, as Nunica was an important stop. By 1920, Nunica's population was at its highest, with around 8,000 people.
However, things changed. By 1924, all the zinc in the area was gone. Then, in 1927, a serious flu outbreak affected the town. The population of Nunica began to shrink. By 1930, about 5,000 people lived there.
The Great Nunica Fire
In 1935, a big fire destroyed almost one-third of Nunica. This event is known as the "great Nunica fire." People think the fire might have started when lightning struck the train station. The train station was completely destroyed. Other important buildings, like the Nunica Conservatory for Music and a casino, were also lost. None of these buildings were ever rebuilt. The fire also burned about 150 acres (0.61 km2) of farmland.
Since the train station was not rebuilt, Nunica found it hard to recover. The population kept falling. By 1950, only about 1,000 people lived in the wider Nunica area. In 1957, Nunica officially became an unincorporated community.
Nunica Today
Today, Nunica is a small, quiet community. A new highway, M-231, was built nearby. It opened in 2015. This highway helps reduce traffic on U.S. Highway 31 in Grand Haven.
Highways in Nunica
Nunica is connected by several important roads:
- I-96
- M-104
- M-231
- County Highway B-31
