Port Huron, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Port Huron
City
City of Port Huron
Images from top to bottom, left to right: Downtown along Huron Avenue (BL I-69), Blue Water Bridge, Fort Gratiot Light, Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Seventh Street–Black River Bridge
Nickname(s):  Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes, Gateway to Canada
Location within St. Clair County
Port Huron Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Port Huron Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	St. Clair
Settled	1814
Incorporated	1857
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	12.27 sq mi (31.78 km2)
• Land	8.10 sq mi (20.98 km2)
• Water	4.17 sq mi (10.80 km2)
Elevation	604 ft (184 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	28,983
• Density	3,577.26/sq mi (1,381.14/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	48060, 48061
Area code(s)	810
FIPS code	26-65820
GNIS feature ID	1624839

Port Huron is a city in Michigan, USA. It is the main city of St. Clair County. In 2020, about 28,983 people lived there. The city is next to Port Huron Township, but they are managed separately.

Port Huron is located where the St. Clair River starts, at the bottom of Lake Huron. It is right on the border with Canada. Across the river is Sarnia, Ontario. The Blue Water Bridge connects these two cities. Port Huron is the easternmost point of land in Michigan. It is also part of the larger Metro Detroit area.

History of Port Huron

Port Huron (left) is across the St. Clair River from Sarnia, Ontario (right).

Long ago, the Ojibwa people lived in this area. French explorers set up a temporary trading post and fort here in the 1600s.

Early Settlements and Growth

In 1814, after the War of 1812, the United States built Fort Gratiot near Lake Huron. A town grew around this fort. This was the first time many European-Americans lived here permanently.

In the 1800s, the U.S. created a special area for the Ojibwa people in what is now Port Huron. This was part of a deal where the Ojibwa gave up their lands. But in 1836, the U.S. government made the Ojibwa move west of the Mississippi River. They had to live in areas that are now Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Port Huron became an official city in 1857. Its population grew quickly after the 1850s. Many people came from Europe to find work. They were attracted by the successful shipbuilding and lumber industries in Michigan. These industries helped towns grow around the Great Lakes. In 1859, the city had 4,031 people. About 46% of them were born in other countries or were children of immigrants.

By 1870, Port Huron was bigger than nearby villages. In 1871, the State Supreme Court chose Port Huron as the main city for St. Clair County.

Fires and Annexation

On October 8, 1871, a big fire burned much of the city. Other fires also happened on the same day in other Michigan towns and in Wisconsin and Illinois. Ten years later, another large fire, the Thumb Fire, also affected Port Huron.

In 1895, the village of Fort Gratiot joined the city of Port Huron. This area was near the old Fort Gratiot.

Important Historic Sites

Michigan has recognized several historic places in Port Huron:

• Fort St. Joseph: This fort was built in 1686 by a French explorer named Duluth. It was the second European settlement in lower Michigan. The fort protected the St. Clair River, which connects Lake Erie and Lake Huron. The French left the fort in 1688. The site became part of Fort Gratiot in 1814. Today, there is a park where the fort used to be.
• Fort Gratiot Lighthouse: This lighthouse was built in 1829. It replaced an older tower that was destroyed by a storm. In the 1860s, the tower was made taller, reaching 84 feet (26 meters). The light has been automatic since 1933. It still helps guide ships on Lake Huron into the St. Clair River. It was the first lighthouse built in Michigan.
• Lightship Huron: From 1935 to 1970, the Huron was a special ship that marked dangerous shallow areas in Lake Huron. After 1940, it was the only lightship working on the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard Service retired it in 1970. The city of Port Huron received it in 1971.
• Grand Trunk Railway Depot: This old train station is now part of the Port Huron Museum. It is famous because Thomas Edison, the inventor, used to leave from here every day. When he was 12, he sold newspapers and candy on the train trips to Detroit. He was so good at it that he hired other boys to help him. He earned enough money to support himself and buy things for his experiments.
• Port Huron Public Library: In 1902, Port Huron got money from Andrew Carnegie to build a public library. A beautiful building was finished in 1904. Melvil Dewey, who created a famous system for organizing books, spoke at its opening. The library was used for over 60 years. In 1967, a new, bigger library was built. The old building became the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History in 1968. An addition was built in 1988.
• Harrington Hotel: This hotel opened in 1896. It has a mix of Romanesque, Classical, and Queen Anne styles. The hotel closed in 1986. But a group of investors bought it that same year to turn it into homes for senior citizens. The Harrington Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Grand Trunk Western Railroad Tunnel: This tunnel opened in 1891 and connects Port Huron with Canada. It was the world's first international underwater railway tunnel. The tunnel is 6,025 feet (1,836 meters) long, with 2,290 feet (698 meters) underwater. Trains in the tunnel used electricity starting in 1908. Later, they switched to diesel fuel. In 1949, the tracks were lowered so larger freight cars could pass through. A new tunnel has since been opened.

Recent History

In 1953, a strong tornado hit the city. It damaged or destroyed over 400 buildings.

Port Huron won the All-America City Award in 1955 and again in 2005.

In 1962, a group called the Students for a Democratic Society met near Port Huron. They created an important document called the Port Huron Statement. A historical marker will be placed at the site in 2025.

In 2018, a memorial was put up in Port Huron. It remembers a difficult part of the city's past and was created with the Equal Justice Initiative.

On November 11, 2017, many veterans gathered in Port Huron. They shared the meaning of Veterans Day at a cemetery.

In April 2023, an old bridge called the Pere Marquette Railway bascule bridge was taken down. It was built in 1931 and was one of only six similar bridges left in the U.S.

Historic Photographs

• 

  Port Huron around 1902

• 

  Huron Avenue in 1912

• 

  St. Clair Tunnel in 1907

• 

  Gratiot Lighthouse in 1902

• 

  Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

• 

  The Pere Marquette Railway bridge in 2021, before it was taken down in 2023.

Geography and Climate

Port Huron covers about 12.26 square miles (31.78 square kilometers). About 8.08 square miles (20.98 square kilometers) is land, and 4.18 square miles (10.80 square kilometers) is water. The city is part of the "the Thumb" area of Michigan, also called the "Blue Water Area".

The easternmost point of Michigan's land is in Port Huron. The Black River flows through the city, dividing it in half. It then flows into the St. Clair River near downtown.

Port Huron's Climate

Port Huron has a climate with hot summers and cold winters. It gets rain or snow in all months of the year.

Population and People

Port Huron is the biggest city in the "Thumb" area of Michigan. It is a hub for business and trade in the region.

Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 30,184 people living in Port Huron. There were 12,177 households. About 7,311 families lived in the city. The city had about 3,735 people per square mile (1,442 per square kilometer).

Most residents (84%) were White. About 9.1% were African American. Other groups included Native American, Asian, and people of two or more races. About 5.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

About 32.5% of households had children under 18. About 34.5% were married couples. The average household had 2.42 people. The average family had 3.03 people.

The average age in the city was 35.8 years. About 25.6% of residents were under 18. About 13.1% were 65 or older.

Culture and Fun Activities

Huron Light Ship Museum

• The Port Huron Museum includes four different museums:
  • Carnegie Center (Port Huron Museum)
  • Huron Lightship
  • Thomas Edison Depot Museum
  • Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
• The Great Lakes Maritime Center teaches about the history of the Great Lakes. Large ships pass very close to its windows. You can even see an underwater camera feed.
• The Desmond District Demons is a horror film festival. It happens every October. It shows independent horror films and art by local artists.
• The Black River Film Society brings independent films to the community. They host movie events, like premieres of new films.
• The School for Strings puts on over 50 concerts each year. They have a Fiddle Club and student groups. They also teach music in the area.
• Every year, the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race starts in Port Huron. It finishes at Mackinac Island, crossing Lake Huron.
• The Port Huron Civic Theatre started in 1956. Since 1983, they have performed their plays at McMorran Place.
• The Blue Water Film Festival (2010–2014) was held in the fall. Many famous people attended it.
• The main branch of the St. Clair County Library is downtown. It has over 285,300 books and many magazines. It also has over 22,700 audiobooks, music CDs, and videos.
• The International Symphony Orchestra performs in Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario.
• The Olde Town Historic District has over 100 historic homes and buildings. It is Port Huron's only residential historic district. The Olde Town Historic Neighborhood Association works to save old buildings. They host home tours and decorate the neighborhood for Christmas.
• The Welkin Base Ball Club is Port Huron's historic vintage base ball team. They play baseball like it was played in 1867.

Port Huron in Pop Culture

The movie The Big Lebowski mentions the Port Huron Statement.

In 2009, the TV show Criminal Minds used Port Huron and Detroit as settings for an episode.

Sports in Port Huron

Port Huron has a long history of minor league hockey.

The Port Huron Flags played in the International Hockey League from 1962 to 1981. They won three championships. Famous hockey broadcaster Mike Emrick started his career here in the 1970s.

Port Huron also had other hockey teams: the Border Cats, Beacons, Flags, and Icehawks. These teams played in the Colonial Hockey League until 2010.

The Port Huron Fighting Falcons played junior hockey from 2010 to 2013.

Currently, the Port Huron Prowlers play in the Federal Prospects Hockey League.

Port Huron also had indoor football teams, like the Port Huron Pirates and Port Huron Predators.

Parks and Recreation

The City of Port Huron has 17 waterfront areas. These areas cover 102 acres (0.41 square kilometers) and have 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) of water access. This includes three public beaches and six parks with picnic areas. The city also has nine scenic spots with over 250 parking spaces.

Port Huron has the largest city-run marina system in Michigan. It has five different places where boats can dock.

The city also has 14 public parks, 4 smaller "tot" parks, and 19 playgrounds owned by the city. There are also 9 playgrounds at schools. The city has 33 tennis courts, including 6 indoors. There are 3 public beaches, 4 public swimming pools, and 1 community center.

Education

High Schools

• Port Huron Northern High School
• Port Huron High School
• Harrison Center

Colleges

• St. Clair County Community College

Economy and Industry

Industries in Port Huron

Some of Port Huron's first industries were about farming. There was a large building for storing grain and a dock for loading beans onto ships. Port Huron was also a leader in making chicory coffee substitute. This product was made from a roadside plant and shipped worldwide.

During World War I, the Mueller Metals Company built a factory in Port Huron. It made shell casings for the war. This factory is still open today and makes valves and fittings.

The Peerless Cement Company had a cement plant from the 1920s to the 1970s. This area is now where the Edison Inn and Blue Water Convention Center are located.

Port Huron has two paper mills. Dunn Paper makes special paper near the Blue Water Bridge. Domtar also has a paper mill on the Black River. It makes special papers for medical and food uses. The Domtar mill closed in 2021, and the Dunn Paper mill closed in 2022.

Many factories that make parts for the automotive industry are in Port Huron's Industrial Park. They often make plastic parts for cars.

Shipbuilding History

The Jenks Shipbuilding Company started in 1889. It was later called Port Huron Shipbuilding. It built ships like the SS John B. Cowle and the MS Normac. The shipyard was located on the Black River.

Healthcare Services

Port Huron has two main hospitals: McLaren Port Huron and Lake Huron Medical Center.

McLaren Port Huron is a 186-bed hospital. McLaren Health Care Corporation bought it in 2014.

Lake Huron Medical Center is a 144-bed hospital. Prime Healthcare Services bought it in 2015.

Banks and Finance

CF Bancorp, a bank company, was based in Port Huron. It closed in 2010 after facing financial problems.

Today, there are four banks with seven branches in the city. These include JPMorgan Chase, Huntington Bancshares, Eastern Michigan Bank, and Northstar Bank.

Media and Communication

Radio Stations

The first radio station in Port Huron was WAFD, which started in 1925.

WHLS began broadcasting in 1938, when the Blue Water Bridge opened. It is the longest-running radio station in the area.

The Times Herald newspaper started its own radio station, WTTH, in 1947. This station later became WPHM.

Radio First owns and runs five radio stations in the region. Port Huron Family Radio owns WGRT. There are also non-commercial stations like WRSX (a public radio station) and religious stations.

Newspapers

• The Times Herald is a daily local newspaper. It serves St. Clair and Sanilac counties.
• You can also find daily editions of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News in the area.

Transportation

Blue Water Bridge

Major Roads

Two major highways end at the Port Huron-to-Sarnia Blue Water Bridge:

• I-69 comes from Lansing and Flint. It ends at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, along with I-94. In Canada, it becomes Highway 402.
• I-94 comes from the Detroit area. It also ends at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. In Canada, it becomes Highway 402.
• BL I-69
• BL I-94
• M-25 follows the Lake Huron shoreline.
• M-29 starts just south of the city.
• M-136 runs west from M-25.

Public Transportation

The Blue Water Area Transit system started in 1976. It has eight bus routes in the Port Huron area. Blue Water Transit also runs the Blue Water Trolley, which gives a one-hour tour of local sights.

The transit system recently got money to buy new buses. These buses will create a route between Port Huron and New Baltimore, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south. This new system will help people travel through the Metro Detroit area.

Train Services

• Amtrak offers passenger train service. The Blue Water route goes from Chicago to Port Huron (Amtrak station).
• Two large freight train companies, Canadian National Railway (CN) and CSX Transportation (CSXT), operate in Port Huron. They connect internationally through the St. Clair Tunnel.
• Via Rail train service goes from Toronto to Sarnia. However, this train does not cross the river. Passengers need to arrange their own way to Port Huron from Sarnia.

Airports

St. Clair County International Airport is a public airport. It is located five miles (8 kilometers) southwest of the city center.

Notable People from Port Huron

Many interesting people have connections to Port Huron:

• Edward Goodrich Acheson (1856–1931), inventor of carborundum
• Jack Campbell, hockey player
• Thomas Edison (1847–1931), famous inventor, moved to Port Huron in 1854
• Jim Gosger, baseball player
• Herbert W. Kalmbach, lawyer for President Richard Nixon
• Terry McMillan, author
• Henry McMorran, businessman and congressman
• Colleen Moore, silent movie actress
• Jason Motte, baseball pitcher
• Frank Secory, baseball player and umpire
• Frederick C. Sherman, admiral
• John Swainson (1925–1994), former Governor of Michigan
• Harold Sines Vance, businessman and government official
• Harry Wismer, broadcaster and sports team owner

Nearby Communities

	Fort Gratiot Township	Lake Huron	St. Clair River / Point Edward
	Port Huron Township		St. Clair River / Sarnia
		Port Huron
	Marysville	St. Clair River	St. Clair River / Sarnia 45

See also

In Spanish: Port Huron para niños