Presque Isle Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Presque Isle Township, Michigan
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New Presque Isle Light along the shores of Lake Huron within Presque Isle Township
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Location within Presque Isle County
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 Presque Isle Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Presque Isle Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Presque Isle |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47.2 sq mi (122.2 km2) |
| • Land | 35.6 sq mi (92.2 km2) |
| • Water | 11.6 sq mi (30.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,698 |
| • Density | 35.97/sq mi (13.895/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49777
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| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-66340 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626943 |
Presque Isle Township is a special kind of local government area called a civil township. It's located in Presque Isle County in the state of Michigan, USA. In 2020, about 1,698 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Presque Isle Township
The Community of Presque Isle
Presque Isle is a small town found within Presque Isle Township. It sits right on the shores of Lake Huron. You can find it about 15 miles north of Alpena and 15 miles south of Rogers City.
The name "Presque Isle" comes from French and means "almost an island." This name perfectly describes a peninsula in the northern part of the township. A narrow strip of land, called a tombolo, connects it to the mainland. From the sandy beaches on this strip, you can see both the sunrise and sunset over Lake Huron!
The community of Presque Isle has a post office, a seasonal gas station, a chapel, a community center, a library, and a historic inn called the Presque Isle Lodge. This area became popular with hunters, fishermen, and summer visitors as early as the 1880s.
Historic Lighthouses of Presque Isle
Presque Isle is home to two famous lighthouses. The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1840. The New Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1870 and is the tallest lighthouse you can climb on the Great Lakes!
Both lighthouses have museums that are open to the public during certain times of the year. The 1870 lighthouse museum even has a beautifully preserved Fresnel Lens. These lighthouses helped guide sailors to Presque Isle Harbor. This harbor was very important because it was the only natural harbor between Detroit and Mackinac. It was a key stop for ships to get wood before coal-burning steamships became common.
The waters around Presque Isle Harbor have many reefs and rocky areas. Because of this, dozens of shipwrecks can be found here. These shipwrecks are now protected as part of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Camp Chickagami
Presque Isle is also home to Camp Chickagami. This is a boys' camp located on Lake Esau. It first opened in 1929 and is now run by the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan.
Geography and Nature
Presque Isle Township covers a total area of about 47.2 square miles (122.2 square kilometers). Most of this is land, but about 11.6 square miles (30.0 square kilometers) is water.
The township has two large inland lakes, Grand Lake and Long Lake. Both lakes are over 5,000 acres in size. They are known for excellent fishing, especially for large and smallmouth bass. Both lakes also have "Sandies," which are sandbars where boaters like to gather on weekends. Grand Lake has many islands too.
A large limestone quarry, Lafarge Presque Isle Quarry, is located along Lake Huron. It is the biggest employer in the township.
Population Information
In 2020, the population of Presque Isle Township was 1,698 people. The township is a quiet place where many families live. The average age of people living here is around 50 years old.
Images for kids
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The New Presque Isle Light, a tall lighthouse on Lake Huron.
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Map showing Presque Isle Township in Michigan.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Presque Isle para niños
