MARQUETTE COUNTY
County Offices
234 W. Baraga Avenue
Marquette 906-225-8330
www.co.marquette.mi.us
Chamber of Commerce
501 S. Front Street
Marquette 906-226-6591
www.marquette.org
Nestled in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Superior, Marquette County spans nearly 1,875 square miles. In addition to the area’s iron mining heritage, the county is equally rich in healthcare and educational services, arts and culture, and recreational opportunities. Three developed cities and a number of townships provide amenities and open space for continued development.
Services
Marquette General Hospital anchors the array of healthcare facilities and services, providing a 350-bed specialty hospital and federally designated Regional Trauma II Medical Center where more than 200 doctors practice in scores of specialties. The hospital is a vital part of Marquette General Health System, a leader in telehealth, and recognized as a 100 Top Cardiovascular Hospital. Some of the major clinical units at the hospital include Marquette General Heart Institute, Marquette General Cancer Center, Marquette General Neuroscience Center, Marquette General Rehabilitation Center, Marquette General Behavioral Health Service, Upper Michigan’s Level II Trauma Center, and the Women’s & Children’s Center. As a teaching hospital, Marquette General maintains affiliations with universities and colleges throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Also located in the city of Marquette, the Peninsula Medical Center provides private office space for more than 120 physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals. The new Bell Hospital in Ishpeming adds a vital component to the county’s healthcare options, providing acute care in a community hospital setting. The full range of services includes 24-hour emergency care and an emergency walk-in clinic.
The quality of education is equally impressive in Marquette County, home to Northern Michigan University with the nation’s only Olympic Education Center. This dynamic, four-year, public university offers 180 degree programs on undergraduate and graduate levels. NMU is also one of three universities in Michigan to serve a community college role for the region. Known for the personalized attention they are willing to extend to students, the 300 NMU faculty members bring a wealth of experience into the classroom. The 350-acre campus combines a pleasing natural environment with outstanding facilities, including the state-of-the-art Seaborg Science Complex and the newly renovated Thomas Fine Arts and Art and Design buildings. The campus features a university theater, an award-winning library, a university center, two art galleries, and a three-structure sports and recreation complex showcasing the world’s largest wooden dome. NMU is one of the largest notebook computer campuses in the nation, since all full-time students receive one as part of their tuition. The university has won national and international awards for innovative work in the area of technology in higher education as well as for programs that develop social, academic, and leadership abilities.
Lifestyle
Marquette County offers three cities, a number of rural townships, and clusters of residential development separated by towering pines, majestic rivers, and sparkling streams. The county’s location along the shores of Lake Superior provide a world of natural beauty including beautiful sandy beaches, the rugged rocky shoreline, and a calm blue expanse on a calm day or white caps during a winter storm. Perkins Park located in Big Bay and the Big Bay Harbor of Refuge on Lake Superior are both managed by Marquette County. Golf courses, alpine ski areas, cross-country trails, 500 miles of snowmobile trails, and well-developed sports facilities are just a few of the attractions. Known for indoor and outdoor recreation around the four seasons, the county has garnered accolades from every corner. Outdoor Life Magazine ranked the city of Marquette as one of the “200 Best Places to Live,” recognizing the area for hunting and fishing opportunities. Bike Magazine rates Marquette County among the top five Best Places to Mountain Bike. America’s Promise Alliance has named Marquette County among the “100 Best Communities for Young People,” and Sherman’s Travel has cited the Upper Peninsula as one of the Top Ten Global Summer Vacation Destinations. Men’s Journal praises the area as one of the best places to buy vacation property.
At the same time, Marquette County provides an active center for the arts, home to a number of theatrical companies, fine galleries, and wonderful museums. Live stage performances are available through Northern Michigan University’s Forest Roberts Theatre and the oldest community theatre in the county under the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council. Lake Superior Theatre presents several productions in an outdoor setting between the picturesque Marquette lighthouse and the Lower Harbor Park. Artists are attracted to the county for the endless inspiration of its landscapes, from photographers to sculptors, wood carvers, and painters. The city of Marquette has been dubbed a top Art Town by author John Villani and “Cool City” by the state of Michigan. Outstanding museums include the Marquette County Historical Museum, the Marquette Maritime Museum, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, and the US National Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. Shiras Planetarium is another unique attractions, the only fully operational planetarium within a 200-mile radius, drawing visitors and students from across the region for entertainment and educational programs. Whether you decide to settle in a vibrant city or one of the rural townships, Marquette County has the ideal blend of sophistication and relaxation.
Ishpeming
City Offices
906-485-1091
http://ishpemingcity.org
Chamber of Commerce
906-226-6591
www.marquette.org
The city of Ishpeming claims a rich history that is steeped in the discovery of iron ore in the mid 1800s. The mountain of ore first discovered here was 180 feet high and 1,000 feet wide, known today as the “World’s Largest Gemstone.” The name of Ishpeming is Chippewa for “on the summit.
The moniker was well-suited for a city that is perched along the dividing ridge between the waters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, about 850 feet above Lake Superior. Residents enjoy spectacular views from their friendly and welcoming hometown. With its rich mining history, Ishpeming is home to the Cliff’s Shaft Mine Museum and displays of mining archives, maps, photographs, and equipment. The museum also houses the collections of the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club and the Ishpeming Historical Society. One of the largest draws to the city for visitors from across the nation is the US National Ski Hall of Fame & Museum.
Marquette
City Offices
906-228-0435
www.mqtcty.org
Chamber of Commerce
906-226-6591
www.marquette.org
The city of Marquette is distinguished in many ways, including the largest city on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This hub city serves as a regional healthcare center, a college town, a center for the arts, a recreational destination, a commercial and retail center, and a welcoming hometown. Northern Michigan University and Marquette General Hospital are both major employers and assets to a regional population. Art galleries, local theatre, retail centers, and well-developed sports facilities are just a few of the amenities. The residents and civic planners have long appreciated the natural beauty, unique climate, and exceptional quality of life they enjoy in Marquette. Because of their strong commitment and cooperative attitude, the city has retained a premier status that has been nationally recognized. The efforts toward continuous improvement have resulted in such awards as one of “America’s Most Livable Communities,” involvement in the “Cool Cities” initiative, and receipt of the “All-American City” award. Residents and visitors enjoy easy access to four-season recreation like swimming, boating, windsurfing, fishing, skiing, luging, and ice skating.
Negaunee
City Offices
906-475-7700
http://cityofnegaunee.com
Chamber of Commerce
906-226-6591
www.marquette.org
Historic Negaunee is proud of its colorful past and the rich iron ore deposits that made it one of the world’s wealthiest cities. Newcomers today will find a wonderful hometown atmosphere in a vibrant community filled with recreational opportunities and friendly neighbors. Those who appreciate live stage performances will be delighted with the audience-pleasing productions at the historic Vista Theatre. The city’s past is on display at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum and the Negaunee Historical Museum, where artifacts and antiques bring yesterday to life. Annual events draw enthusiastic crowds, from the fireworks over Teal Lake during the mid-winter Heikki Lunta Winterfest or the mid-summer Pioneer Days. The thrilling ski jump competition at Suicide Hill and Lucy Run draw visitors from across the nation and even around the world. Other popular events are the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic and the action-packed Negaunee Invitational Basketball Tournament.
