Negaunee, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Negaunee is a city in Marquette County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 4,576 at the 2000 census
. The city is located at the southwest corner of Negaunee Township
. The city is home to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum. The name Negaunee comes from a Native American word nigani (Ojibwa
tribe) meaning "foremost, in advance, leading," which was determined to be the closest Obijwa translation for pioneer. The neighboring town of Ishpeming, whose name means "on the summit," often interpret Ishpeming as Heaven and tell the unknowing that Negaunee means Hell. The two cities have high schools with a healthy rivalry. Within the city limits is Teal Lake.
Negaunee is home to Pioneer Days, a festival held every year the week following July 4, Heikki Lunta
Winterfest, and the Negaunee Invitational Basketball Tournament which draws well known basketball players both retired, and straight out of College. Tom Izzo
, a Native of the UP and coach of the MSU Spartans sends many graduated seniors to play every year.
during the early 19th century. The Jackson Mine
was established in 1845 to mine the ore for shipment to iron forges; the first such forge to operate in the Lake Superior basin was set up in Negaunee during this period. In 1858, the community was given a post office. In 1865, Negaunee was incorporated as a town and in 1868 the first police force was formed. 1873 marks the year Negaunee was recognized as a city. As mining operations expanded, many immigrants helped settle the area, bringing with them rich traditions that remain today. Due to extensive underground mining roughly half the city was abandoned in the early 20th century due to risk of cave-in. The city closed its trolley system in 1927. The Jackson Mine ceased all operations within the city limits in the 1940s.
Negaunee has worked hard to regain its luster. "Caving grounds" have been reopened to the community and renamed as Old Towne. Residents can now tour Old Towne to visit the sites of historical family homes [markers have been erected] and mining artifacts can be observed. The city's population has been on a slow descent for the past eighty years; however, the Negaunee school system ranks in the top 20% of schools for the State of Michigan. In recent years several new businesses have also found their way to Negaunee, including Sears, Family Video and Subway.
, the city has a total area of 14.7 square miles (38.1 km²), of which, 13.8 square miles (35.7 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (6.07%) is water.
, easterly toward Marquette
and southeast to Escanaba
. travels westerly toward Wakefield
and east to Marquette.
of 2000, there were 4,576 people, 1,946 households, and 1,218 families residing in the city. The population density
was 332.1 per square mile (128.2/km²). There were 2,088 housing units at an average density of 151.5 per square mile (58.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 0.28% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population. 28.8% were of Finnish, 14.5% Italian
, 14.0% English
, 9.3% German
, 8.9% Swedish and 5.8% French
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.7% spoke English
, 1.7% Spanish
and 1.5% Finnish
as their first language.
There were 1,946 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,117, and the median income for a family was $39,750. Males had a median income of $36,026 versus $22,380 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,889. About 6.3% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Marquette County, Michigan
-National protected areas:* Hiawatha National Forest * Huron National Wildlife Refuge* Ottawa National Forest -University:Northern Michigan University is a four-year university, established in 1899, located in Marquette, Michigan, on Michigan's Upper Peninsula...
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"....
. The population was 4,576 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. The city is located at the southwest corner of Negaunee Township
Negaunee Township, Michigan
Negaunee Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,707 at the 2000 census. The City of Negaunee is located at the southwest corner of the township, but is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
. The city is home to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum. The name Negaunee comes from a Native American word nigani (Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
tribe) meaning "foremost, in advance, leading," which was determined to be the closest Obijwa translation for pioneer. The neighboring town of Ishpeming, whose name means "on the summit," often interpret Ishpeming as Heaven and tell the unknowing that Negaunee means Hell. The two cities have high schools with a healthy rivalry. Within the city limits is Teal Lake.
Negaunee is home to Pioneer Days, a festival held every year the week following July 4, Heikki Lunta
Heikki Lunta
Heikki Lunta is the embodiment of the Finnish snow god character, who originated in the mythology of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.The character of Heikki Lunta is a product of the heavy Finnish-American presence in Michigan's Upper Peninsula combined with a tremendous annual...
Winterfest, and the Negaunee Invitational Basketball Tournament which draws well known basketball players both retired, and straight out of College. Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo is an American college basketball coach. Since 1995, he has been the head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, presiding over a prolonged period of success....
, a Native of the UP and coach of the MSU Spartans sends many graduated seniors to play every year.
History
The city was built after the discovery of the Marquette Iron RangeMarquette Iron Range
The Marquette Iron Range is a deposit of iron ore located in Marquette County, Michigan, largely in and around the towns of Ishpeming and Negaunee. It is a smaller counterpart of Minnesota's Mesabi Range. The iron ore of the Marquette Range has been mined continuously from 1847 until the present...
during the early 19th century. The Jackson Mine
Jackson Mine
The Jackson Mine is an open pit iron mine located northwest of intersection of Business Route M-28 and Cornish Town Road in Negaunee, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1956 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971...
was established in 1845 to mine the ore for shipment to iron forges; the first such forge to operate in the Lake Superior basin was set up in Negaunee during this period. In 1858, the community was given a post office. In 1865, Negaunee was incorporated as a town and in 1868 the first police force was formed. 1873 marks the year Negaunee was recognized as a city. As mining operations expanded, many immigrants helped settle the area, bringing with them rich traditions that remain today. Due to extensive underground mining roughly half the city was abandoned in the early 20th century due to risk of cave-in. The city closed its trolley system in 1927. The Jackson Mine ceased all operations within the city limits in the 1940s.
Negaunee has worked hard to regain its luster. "Caving grounds" have been reopened to the community and renamed as Old Towne. Residents can now tour Old Towne to visit the sites of historical family homes [markers have been erected] and mining artifacts can be observed. The city's population has been on a slow descent for the past eighty years; however, the Negaunee school system ranks in the top 20% of schools for the State of Michigan. In recent years several new businesses have also found their way to Negaunee, including Sears, Family Video and Subway.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 14.7 square miles (38.1 km²), of which, 13.8 square miles (35.7 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (6.07%) is water.
Highways
passes through the northern portion of Negaunee, running westerly and northerly toward HoughtonHoughton, Michigan
Houghton is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and largest city in the Copper Country on the Keweenaw Peninsula. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,708. It is the county seat of Houghton County...
, easterly toward 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 southeast to 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...
. travels westerly toward Wakefield
Wakefield, Michigan
Wakefield is a city in Gogebic County in the US state of Michigan. It is located in the western Upper Peninsula. The population was 1,851 at the 2010 census....
and east to Marquette.
-
BUS M-28M-28 Business (Ishpeming-Negaunee, Michigan)M-28 Business Route is a state trunkline highway serving as a business route that runs for through the downtown districts of Ishpeming and Negaunee in Michigan. The trunkline provides a marked route for traffic diverting from U.S. Highway 41 and M-28 through the two historic iron-mining...
serves the downtowns of both Negaunee and Ishpeming.provides an alternate route to the Escanaba area and access to Sawyer International AirportSawyer International AirportSawyer International Airport is a public airport located south of the central business district of Marquette, a city in Marquette County, Michigan, United States. The airport is publicly owned by Marquette County....
.
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 4,576 people, 1,946 households, and 1,218 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 332.1 per square mile (128.2/km²). There were 2,088 housing units at an average density of 151.5 per square mile (58.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 0.28% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.13% 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 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population. 28.8% were of Finnish, 14.5% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 14.0% 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...
, 9.3% 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....
, 8.9% Swedish and 5.8% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.7% 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...
, 1.7% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and 1.5% Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
as their first language.
There were 1,946 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% 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, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,117, and the median income for a family was $39,750. Males had a median income of $36,026 versus $22,380 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 $16,889. About 6.3% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
School System
Negaunee Public Schools consists of 3 main buildings: Lakeview Elementary which has K-5th grades; Negaunee Middle School, which has 6th through 8th grade; and Negaunee High School, which has 9th through 12th grades. Negaunee athletics have a large, healthy rivalry with the Marquette Redmen and Ishpeming Hematites.External links
- City of Negaunee Site
- Negaunee Schools Site
- Pioneer Days Info
- Heikki Lunta Winterfest
- Negaunee Historical Museum
- Negaunee Invitational Basketball Tournament
- Negaunee High School Alumni
- Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council
- U.P. native goes 'Into The Wild'
- Musician-actor keeps his connection to U.P. strong
- McCandless story has U.P. connection
- Local folks can finally see Negaunee actor in movie
- Public School Rankings