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Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 19,661, making it the largest city in the Upper Peninsula. It is the county seat of Marquette County6. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore, and is the home of Northern Michigan University.

History

The city was originally named Worcester (pronounced WOOS ter; the "or" spoken like the "oo" in book), after Worcester, Massachusetts. It is now named for the French explorer Jacques Marquette. Marquette has always been a shipping port for hematite ores and now enriched iron ore pellets from nearby mines and pelletizing plants. The city includes several small islands (principally Middle Island, Gull Island, Lover's Island, Presque Isle Pt. Rocks, White Rocks, Ripley Rock and Picnic Rocks) in Lake Superior. The Marquette Underwater Preserve lies immediately offshore. A regional medical center, Marquette General Hospital, serving much of the Upper Peninsula is located in the city. Marquette Mountain, used for skiing, is located in the city, as is the majority of the land of Marquette Branch Prison. Trowbridge Park (an unincorporated part of Marquette Township) is located to the west, and Marquette Township to the northwest of the city.

Marquette is home to the largest wooden dome in the world, the Superior Dome. Northern Michigan University owns the facility and holds its home football games there. The dome also hosts numerous private and public events which draw in thousands from around the region.

The film Anatomy of a Murder, dramatizing an incident that happened in the area, was partly filmed in Marquette, much of it in the county courthouse.

A large portion of the acclaimed graphic novel Blankets by Craig Thompson takes place in Marquette.

In 2004, President George W. Bush made a campaign stop in Marquette, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit Michigan's Upper Peninsula since William H. Taft in 1911.

The Roman Catholic Bishop Frederic Baraga is buried at St. Peter Cathedral.

Marquette is the sister city of Kajaani, Finland and Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan. (Formerly Yokaichi, Japan.)

Postal and philatelic history

In addition to the Marquette #1 Post Office there is the "Northern Michigan University Bookstore Contract Station #384".*

The first day of issue of a postal card showing Bishop Frederic Baraga took place in Marquette on June 29, 1984.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.2 km² (19.4 mi²). 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²) of it is land and 20.6 km² (8.0 mi²) of it (41.09%) is water.

People and Culture

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 19,661 people, 8,071 households, and 4,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 665.3/km² (1,723.9/mi²). There were 8,429 housing units at an average density of 285.2/km² (739.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.04% White, 0.82% African American, 1.74% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 8,071 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.6% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 25.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,918, and the median income for a family was $48,120. Males had a median income of $34,107 versus $24,549 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,787. About 7.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and Recreation

The city of Marquette is home to a number of parks and recreational facilities which are used by city and county residents. Presque Isle Park is Marquette's most-popular park located on the north side of the city. It includes 323 aces of mostly forested land and juts out into Lake Superior. Amenities include a wooden bandshell for concerts, a park pavilian, a gazebo, a marina, a concession stand, picnic tables, barbeque pits, walking/skiing trails, playground facilities, Moosewood Nature Center, and Shiras Pool.

Other parks include Tourist Park, Founder's Landing, LaBonte Park, Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Park Cemetary, Shiras Park, McCarty's Cove, South Beach Park, Williams Park, Harlow Park, Pocket Park, Spring Street Park, Father Marquette Park.

There are also numerous other recreational facilities located within the city. Lakeview Arena is mostly known for its use as an ice hockey facility, but it also hosts a number of public events. A skateboard park is located just outside of the arena and open during the summer. Lakeview Arena is home to the Marquette Electricians, the Marquette Redmen, and the new Marquette Rangers hockey teams.

Marquette also has an extensive network of bike/walking paths throughout the city. The city has been gradually expanding the paths throughout the years and has been promoting itself as a walkable/livable community. Cross Country ski trails are also located at Presque Isle Park and the Fit Strip.

Camping facilities are also located at Tourist Park.

Museums and Galleries

Marquette Maritime Museum is located along the Lake Superior shoreline near the U.S. Coast Guard Station. The museum is open during the summer season and offers an extensive collection of maritime artifacts involving the maritime history of Marquette. Tours of the historic Marquette Harbor Lighthouse are also available.

Upper Peninsula Children's Museum is located along Baraga Avenue. Those familiar with Marquette's past will recognize the former Bunny Bread sign that is located on the outside of the building. The museum features hands-on exhibits for children to learn and have fun doing so. The museum is open year-round.

Marquette County History Museum is located along Front Street in the downtown district. The museum features many exhibits and artifacts of Marquette County's past. The museum includes a library and gift shop. The museum is open year-round.

DeVos Art Museum is the art museum at Northern Michigan University. Art galleries include 231 House of Muses and the Oasis Gallery for Contemporary Art.

Neighborhoods of Marquette

Marquette consists of a number of neighborhoods; however, Picnic Rocks are not included in one of these:

  • "The Village" - The Village is generally perceived to extend from Washington to Fair Ave., and from 4th Street Eastward to Lake Shore Boulevard. The Village contains a unique mile long shopping district with shops, gift shops, banks, and restaurants located on Third Street. This unique and diverse neighborhood is also home to many NMU students and faculty, as well as some of Marquette's oldest residences.
  • South Marquette
  • North Marquette
  • Lake Superior Village
  • Shiras Hills
  • Oriana
  • Northwest
  • Central
  • Northeast
  • West Central
  • East Central
  • Central
  • South West
  • South Central
  • North Lakeshore
  • Condominiums

Suburbs of Marquette

Festivals and events

External links

Cities in Michigan | Marquette County, Michigan | County seats in Michigan | Upper Peninsula of Michigan

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Marquette, Michigan".

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