Marquette, Michigan Totally Explained

Everything about Marquette Michigan totally explained

Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 19,661, with the a 2006 population estimate of 20,488. It is the county seat of Marquette County. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore, and is the home of Northern Michigan University. It is the largest city of the Upper Peninsula. The city of Marquette averages about 144 inches of snow per year, making it the second snowiest city in the contiguous United States among those cities large enough to be reported.

History

The village of Marquette began on September 14, 1849, with the formation of the Marquette Iron Company. Three men participated in organizing the firm: Robert J. Graveraet, who had prospected the region for ore; Edward Clark, agent for Waterman A. Fisher of Worcester, Massachusetts, who financed the company, and Amos Rogers Harlow. The village was at first called New Worcester, with Harlow as the first postmaster. On August 21, 1850, the name was changed to honor Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit missionary who had explored the region. A second post office, named Carp River, was opened on October 13, 1851 by Peter White, who had come there with Graveraet at age 18. Harlow closed his post office in August 1852. The Marquette Iron Company failed, while its successor, the Cleveland Iron Mining Company flourished and had the village platted in 1854. The plat was recorded by Peter White. White's office was renamed as Marquette in April 1856, and the village was incorporated in 1859. It incorporated as a city in 1871.
   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 man-made wooden dome in the world, the Superior Dome. (The second largest, located in Japan, is just one square foot smaller.) During Football season, the Dome is used primarily for football on its artificial turf field. Northern Michigan University holds its home football games in the Dome as does the Michigan High School Athletic Association with the upper peninsula's High School football playoffs. The dome also hosts numerous private and public events which draw in thousands from around the region.
   South of the city, K.I. Sawyer AFB, was an important Air Force installation during the Cold War, host to B-52H bombers and KC-135 tankers of the Strategic Air Command, as well as a fighter interceptor squadron. The base closed in September 1995, and is now home to the county's Sawyer International Airport.
   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's Cathedral, which is the center for the Diocese of Marquette.
   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's 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 29 June 1984, and that of the Wonders of America Lake Superior stamp on May 27, 2006.

Geography

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

Transportation

Marquette is served by Sawyer International Airport with trips to Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.
Marquette has a bus system called the "MarqTran" that runs through the city and also to nearby places (such as Sawyer International Airport and Ishpeming).

Highways

	U.S. 41 is a scenic route northwest to the Keweenaw Peninsula and southeast to Escanaba.
	M-28 travels west to Wisconsin and east to Sault Sainte Marie.
	M-35 provides an alternate route to the Escanaba area.
	M-553 provides a direct connection to Sawyer International Airport.

Museums, galleries, lighthouses

The 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; and just to the west of Marquette, the Big Bay Point Light is operated as a bed and breakfast, which offers a unique experience.
   The Upper Peninsula Children's Museum is located along Baraga Avenue. Those familiar with Marquette's past will recognize the former Bunny Bread sign that's 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.
   The 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 and is open year-round.
   The DeVos Art Museum is the art museum at Northern Michigan University.
   The Oasis Gallery for Contemporary Art is an ongoing project of the Marquette Arts Council.

Climate

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Rec High °F	48	61	71	92	93	96	99	96	93	87	73	59
Norm High °F	19.7	24.2	33.1	45.8	61.5	70.3	75.2	72.6	63.2	50.9	35.4	24.1
Norm Low °F	3.3	5.4	14.3	26.9	39.1	48.3	53.5	52	43.8	34	22.4	10.2
Rec Low °F	-27	-34	-30	-9	17	28	36	34	24	14	-8	-28
Precip (in)	2.6	1.85	3.13	2.79	3.07	3.21	3.01	3.55	3.74	3.66	3.27	2.43
Source: USTravelWeather.com (External Link)

Education

Public schools

Marquette Senior High School Redmen and Redettes
Bothwell Middle School Scots
Graveraet Intermediate School Comets
Cherry Creek Elementary School Panthers
Sandy Knoll Elementary School Explorers
Superior Hills Elementary School huskies
Vandenboom Elementary School
North Star Academy Private schools
Father Marquette Elementary School Golden Eagles
Father Marquette Middle School Eagles
Crossroads Christian Academy

Colleges

Northern Michigan University Wildcats

Media

Multiple media outlets provide local coverage of the Marquette area.

Newspaper: The Mining Journal and the Iron County Reporter

Television: WLUC-TV, WBUP-TV, WMQF-TV and WNMU-TV

Radio: WNMU-FM, WHWL-FM, WUPK-FM, and WFXD-FM

Suburbs of Marquette

Harvey

Trowbridge Park

Marquette Township

Festivals and events

Art on the Rocks - An art festival at Presque Isle Park

Hiawatha Music Festival Traditional Music Festival at Tourist Park (30th Annual 18-20 July 2008)

Marquette's 4th of July Celebration

Superior Bike Fest

Ore to Shore Mountain Bike race.

Exchange Club International Food Fest

Seafood Fest

Up 200 Dog Sled Race

Noquemanon Ski Marathon

Marquette Area Blues Fest Further Information

Get more info on 'Marquette Michigan'.

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