Gladstone, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Gladstone is a city in Delta County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. First settled in 1877, Gladstone's original name was Saunders Point. The population was 5,032 at the 2000 census.
U.S. Routes 2
and 41
run concurrently through the city, connecting with Escanaba
, nine miles (14 km) to the south. US 41 runs north to Marquette
and US 2 runs east to Manistique
. M-35
runs northwest 52 miles (83.7 km) to Gwinn
and merges with US 2/US 41 south to Escanaba.
The town was originally named Saunder’s Point after the Hamilton Company’s then-president, David Saunders {Source Needed}. Today, Saunder’s Point still exists as a small peninsula east of Gladstone’s city park system, located in Little Bay De Noc
.
Expanding beyond its iron ore roots into a shipping point for lumber, coal, and copper during the American civil war
, throughout the 1860s and 1870’s, Saunder’s Point grew into a busy port.
, had commissioned a train depot built in Saunder’s Point during the previous winter to start land shipping for the Hamilton Corporation.[The Trains staff (November, 1990). Timeline. Trains, pp. 21–47] However, since this was no longer possible, Delano began commissioning local industries.
, which opens onto Green Bay on Lake Michigan
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.5 km²), of which, 5 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it (37.14%) is water.
.
Another Gladstone attraction is the Gladstone Sports Park, which hosts skiing and snowboarding runs and a tubing facility. The Park itself is often rented out for other activities, including wedding receptions, and high school graduation parties.
Gladstone also hosts the Days River Trails, which are hiked and biked in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, these trails are used primarily for cross-country skiing.
, Besse Forest Products, VanAire Inc, Independent Machine Co., Pardon Inc., Bramco Containers, Hoeghe Pet Caskets, Brampton Bike and Ski, Bay de Noc Lure Company (makers of the "Swedish Pimple" and "Do-Jigger"), Main Street Pizza, The Dairy Flo, and Front Row Video. Many of Gladstone’s residents also find work in Escanaba, particularly with one of the New Page Corporation's
mills, which is the area’s largest employer.
of 2000, there were 5,032 people, 2,126 households, and 1,392 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,015.2 per square mile (391.7/km²). There were 2,289 housing units at an average density of 461.8 per square mile (178.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.76% White, 0.14% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population. 14.3% were of French
, 14.0% German
, 12.2% Swedish, 10.3% French Canadian
, 6.1% English
, 5.2% Irish
and 5.0% Belgian
ancestry according to Census 2000. 99.5% spoke English
as their first language.
There were 2,126 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,328, and the median income for a family was $47,899. Males had a median income of $43,400 versus $25,662 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,973. About 7.8% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Delta County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,520 people, 15,836 households, and 10,689 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile . There were 19,223 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. First settled in 1877, Gladstone's original name was Saunders Point. The population was 5,032 at the 2000 census.
U.S. Routes 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
and 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
run concurrently through the city, connecting with Escanaba
Escanaba, Michigan
Escanaba is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in the banana belt on the state's Upper Peninsula. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 13,140, making it the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie...
, nine miles (14 km) to the south. US 41 runs north to Marquette
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. The population was 21,355 at the 2010 census, making it the most populated city of the Upper Peninsula. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore and is the home of Northern...
and US 2 runs east to Manistique
Manistique, Michigan
Manistique is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,583. It is the county seat of Schoolcraft County and the only incorporated community in the county. The city lies on the north shore of Lake Michigan, at the southwest corner...
. M-35
M-35 (Michigan highway)
M-35 is a state trunkline highway in the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. Running for in a general north–south direction, it connects the cities of Menominee, Escanaba and Negaunee. The southern section of M-35 in Menominee and Delta counties carries two additional designations...
runs northwest 52 miles (83.7 km) to Gwinn
Gwinn, Michigan
Gwinn is an unincorporated community in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is in Forsyth Township at on M-35 near the forks of the east and middle branches of the Escanaba River. Gwinn is a census-designated place for statistical purposes, and the CDP includes the...
and merges with US 2/US 41 south to Escanaba.
First Settlers
Throughout the early 19th century, the area where Gladstone exists was largely uninhabited other than the occasional trapper or fisherman. Gladstone was first settled in 1859 when the Hamilton Corporation of Fayette, MI began using it as a shipping point for selling and transporting of their iron ore. [Gladstone Centennial Book Community (1987). Gladstone Centennial History. Gladstone Centennial Book Community. Pp 12–47. ASIN B0010K5HFW]The town was originally named Saunder’s Point after the Hamilton Company’s then-president, David Saunders {Source Needed}. Today, Saunder’s Point still exists as a small peninsula east of Gladstone’s city park system, located in Little Bay De Noc
Little Bay de Noc
Little Bay de Noc is a bay in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The bay opens into Lake Michigan's Green Bay.The bay, consisting of approximately 30,000 acres , is enclosed by Delta County...
.
Expanding beyond its iron ore roots into a shipping point for lumber, coal, and copper during the American civil war
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, throughout the 1860s and 1870’s, Saunder’s Point grew into a busy port.
Change of Name
In 1876, the Hamilton Corporation had to move its operations when their mine dried up. The new mine location, further south, meant shipping their ore through the Escanaba port. Arthur Delano, the president of Soo Line RailroadSoo Line Railroad
The Soo Line Railroad is the primary United States railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway , controlled through the Soo Line Corporation, and one of seven U.S. Class I railroads. Although it is named for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste...
, had commissioned a train depot built in Saunder’s Point during the previous winter to start land shipping for the Hamilton Corporation.[The Trains staff (November, 1990). Timeline. Trains, pp. 21–47] However, since this was no longer possible, Delano began commissioning local industries.
Geography
The city is on a small projection into the Little Bay de NocLittle Bay de Noc
Little Bay de Noc is a bay in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The bay opens into Lake Michigan's Green Bay.The bay, consisting of approximately 30,000 acres , is enclosed by Delta County...
, which opens onto Green Bay on Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.5 km²), of which, 5 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it (37.14%) is water.
Climate
Due to the city’s close proximity to Lake Michigan, Gladstone consistently has high humidity and experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures in the mid 80’s and average lows in the mid 60’s. Winters are cold, snowy and windy with temperatures often below freezing. Spring and Fall are mild with low humidity. According to the National Weather Service, Gladstone’s record low comes in at -60 on January 7, 1896 http://www.nws.noaa.gov/. To this day, this storm is referred to by Gladstone residents as “les morte a doigts,” since so many of the city’s residents lost fingers due to frostbiteFrostbite
Frostbite is the medical condition where localized damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart and those with large exposed areas...
.
Neighborhoods
Although Gladstone is a relatively small city, it has several distinct sections: Downtown (which hosts most of the local businesses), The Buckeye (located on the western side of the city, bordering the Brampton, MI township), and the Bluff (which hosts most of the new residential expansion, as well as Gladstone High School).Tourism and Parks
Gladstone is often referred to as “The Year Round Playground” because of its myriad of parks and activities. Gladstone’s main park is Van Cleve, which hosts a playground (Kid’s Kingdom), a skateboarding park, a beach and boardwalk, as well as a harbor with boat ramps.Another Gladstone attraction is the Gladstone Sports Park, which hosts skiing and snowboarding runs and a tubing facility. The Park itself is often rented out for other activities, including wedding receptions, and high school graduation parties.
Gladstone also hosts the Days River Trails, which are hiked and biked in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, these trails are used primarily for cross-country skiing.
Economy
Despite economic troubles in the region, Gladstone is the home of many thriving businesses including Marble ArmsMarble Arms
Marble Arms & Manufacturing Company of Gladstone, Michigan began in 1892 with the invention and manufacture of the Marble Universal Rifle Sight by Webster L. Marble. Frank H. Van Cleve of Escanaba, Michigan shared patent rights on some of the early patents applied for by Webster L. Marble...
, Besse Forest Products, VanAire Inc, Independent Machine Co., Pardon Inc., Bramco Containers, Hoeghe Pet Caskets, Brampton Bike and Ski, Bay de Noc Lure Company (makers of the "Swedish Pimple" and "Do-Jigger"), Main Street Pizza, The Dairy Flo, and Front Row Video. Many of Gladstone’s residents also find work in Escanaba, particularly with one of the New Page Corporation's
NewPage Corporation
NewPage Corporation, based in Miamisburg, Ohio, is a leading producer of coated paper in North America.The company produces coated papers in sheets and rolls with many finishes and weights to offer design flexibility for a wide array of end uses...
mills, which is the area’s largest employer.
Major highways
Notable people
- Robert John CornellRobert John CornellRobert John Cornell, O Praem was a Roman Catholic priest and American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin from 1975 to 1979....
, former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, Roman Catholic priest - Becky IversonBecky IversonBecky Iverson is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour.-Amateur career:Iverson was born in Escanaba, Michigan. She was 1986 Michigan Junior Amateur champion and 1987 Michigan Women's Amateur champion...
, Professional golferProfessional golferIn golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;... - Bart StupakBart StupakBartholomew Thomas "Bart" Stupak is a lobbyist and American politician of the Democratic Party. He served as the U.S. Representative from from 1993 to 2011....
, former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, Upper Peninsula of MichiganUpper Peninsula of MichiganThe Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded... - Kevin TapaniKevin TapaniKevin Ray Tapani is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs from 1989 to 2001.-Early life:...
, Professional Baseball retiree - Brian MovalsonBrian MovalsonBrian Movalson is the Vice President and General Manager with IMG College, responsible for the University of Oregon’s complete business, including the Oregon Sports Broadcast Network...
, National Sports Marketer, ESPN/EA SPORTS
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,032 people, 2,126 households, and 1,392 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,015.2 per square mile (391.7/km²). There were 2,289 housing units at an average density of 461.8 per square mile (178.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.76% White, 0.14% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population. 14.3% were of French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 14.0% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 12.2% Swedish, 10.3% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
, 6.1% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 5.2% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 5.0% Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 99.5% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as their first language.
There were 2,126 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,328, and the median income for a family was $47,899. Males had a median income of $43,400 versus $25,662 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,973. About 7.8% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.