Stephenson Island (Wisconsin) facts for kids
 Stephenson Island
Location in Wisconsin
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Menominee River, Marinette, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 45°06′07″N 87°37′45″W / 45.1019294°N 87.6292735°W |
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Stephenson Island is a cool island located in the Menominee River. You can find it right inside the city of Marinette, Wisconsin. It's named after Isaac Stephenson, who was an important person in Marinette a long time ago. He was a politician and worked in the lumber business.
Today, Stephenson Island is a fun city park where no one lives. You can drive right across it using US Highway 41. This highway helps you get to the park's pavilion, a pretty gazebo, a playground, and places to have picnics.
You can also walk to the island using a footbridge from the Marinette side of the river. This bridge is near the Wisconsin Tourist Information building and the Stephenson Public Library.
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Exploring Stephenson Island
Stephenson Island is a great place to visit with lots to see and do. It's easy to get to and offers different activities for everyone.
History and Museums
Because Marinette used to be a big logging town, there's a special logging museum on the island. The Marinette County Historical Society runs this museum. It teaches you all about the history of cutting down trees and moving logs in the area.
Outdoor Fun
The island is a popular spot for people who love the outdoors. You can easily get to the Menominee River from here. It's a favorite place for sport fishing if you like to catch fish. You can also launch your boat from the island to go out on the river.
The Soldiers Memorial
Stephenson Island is also home to a special memorial called The Soldiers Memorial. This monument honors soldiers from the American Civil War. It's a large statue of a soldier standing at attention, carved from pink stone called Westerly granite.
The memorial stands 25 feet tall. Isaac Stephenson, the person the island is named after, gave this memorial to the city. It was officially dedicated in 1917. An architect named Wallace W. DeLong designed this important monument.
Events on the Island
Stephenson Island is a busy place that hosts many community events throughout the year.
Concerts and Festivals
The island's facilities are used for Marinette's "Sunset Concert Series." These concerts are a fun way to enjoy music outdoors. Sometimes, other concerts in this series are held in Menominee, Michigan, which is Marinette's twin city across the river.
For many years, Stephenson Island was the place where Marinette launched its Fourth of July fireworks. This tradition ended in 2012. Now, instead of fireworks, the island hosts the "Marinette Logging and Heritage Fest" in mid-July. This festival celebrates the area's logging history and local traditions.
