Tapiola, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tapiola, Michigan
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 Tapiola, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Houghton |
| Township | Portage |
| Elevation | 824 ft (251 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49916 (Chassell)
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1614595 |
Tapiola is a small, quiet community in Houghton County, Michigan, in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or village. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Portage Township. Tapiola is found about 8 miles (13 km) west of Keweenaw Bay.
Contents
The Story of Tapiola
How Tapiola Got Its Name
Tapiola was started by people who came from Finland to live in America. These Finnish Americans wanted to name their new home after something special from their old country. They chose "Tapiola" because it means "the land of the forest god" in Finnish. This name comes from Tapio, a spirit or god of the forests in Finnish stories. It shows how much they loved nature and their Finnish heritage.
Early Days of the Community
Many Finnish immigrants settled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan because of the mining and logging jobs. They often created communities that reminded them of home. Tapiola became one of these places, built by people working hard to start new lives.
Education in Tapiola
John A. Doelle Agricultural School
In 1913, an important school opened its doors in Tapiola. It was called the John A. Doelle Agricultural School. An "agricultural school" teaches students about farming, growing crops, and raising animals. This type of school was very important for communities like Tapiola, where many families worked in farming. It helped young people learn skills for their future.
