SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY
County Offices
300 Walnut Street
Manistique 906-341-3618
www.schoolcraftcounty.net
Chamber of Commerce
1000 W. Lakeshore Drive
Manistique 906-341-5010
http://schoolcraftcountychamber.org
Situated in the mid-eastern section of Michigan’s panoramic Upper Peninsula along the northern shoreline of Lake Michigan, Schoolcraft County is a vacation wonderland and scenic homeland. The strong retail sector reflects a brisk tourist trade in this pristine area that showcases a number of celebrated natural recreational sites. The county’s largest employer is as unique as the area: the nation’s largest recycler of magazines and catalogs, producing 125,000 tons of recycled paper annually.
Services
State-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities are anchored by Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in the leading city of Manistique. Owned by the county, the hospital is part of the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network, a consortium of 16 hospitals that enable each other to lower costs and offer an exceptional caliber of service. The 25-bed hospital provides a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient care, including general and specialty surgery, a 24-hour emergency room, and a walk-in clinic for less urgent injuries and illnesses. A full range of therapies including respiratory therapy and sleep studies, cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation services, chemotherapy and nuclear medicine, advanced diagnostics and imaging, home health, skilled nursing, and hospice are also available through Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital. The entire community benefits from health screenings, educational programs, rural outreach, and a well-equipped fitness center open to the public. One of the more recent additions to the comprehensive healthcare services is Woodland Meadows, a 20-unit assisted-living facility. Telemedicine and video teleconferencing enhance the depth and breadth of care available close to home by enabling local physicians to consult with specialists at a distance.
A number of quality school districts provide the foundation for educational opportunities, crowned by a Career Technical Center that provides high school students with opportunities to advance in such fields as business, health, building trades, and automotive or manufacturing technology. Extracurricular activities from academic and music to athletics enrich the classroom experience and give students a chance to develop their talents and leadership abilities. Those who are interested in pursuing a higher education can do so close to their hometown. In fact, Manistique Area Schools offers night college classes at the high school. Other institutions that are nearby include Bay de Noc Community College, Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, and Michigan Technological University—one of the nation’s premier science and technology colleges. Bay de Noc Community College offers two-year degrees and certificates, career training programs, and an affordable start on a four-year program. Known locally as Bay College, the 150-campus is also home to a Michigan Technical Education Center that creates custom training programs for area businesses and industries. Bay College also offers four-year degrees through articulation programs with Northern Michigan University, Franklin University, Lake Superior State University, and Phoenix University.
Lifestyle
Known for its scenic beauty and vast tracts of preserved natural resources, Schoolcraft County has evolved from a source of timber into a popular vacation and tourist destination. Treasures like the Hiawatha National Forest, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, and several state parks ensure an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. Shimmering lakes and deep forests attract throngs of seasonal visitors to the area, driving economic growth in businesses from restaurants and hospitality accommodations to sporting good stores and picturesque marinas. Some of the sights in Schoolcraft County are exceptionally unique and popular, including the newly restored Siphon Bridge in Manistique and Kitch-Iti-Kipi, Michigan’s largest natural spring. Forty feet deep and 200 feet wide, the spring can be viewed from a self-propelled raft that offers views of the crystal clear waters and trout below. Surrounded by camping opportunities at Indian Lake State Park, Indian Lake is one of the largest on the Upper Peninsula—six miles in length and three miles wide.
Cultural sites in Schoolcraft County include the Bishop Baraga Historical Site, commemorating the place where a young Catholic missionary established and blessed his first church. The original chapel, built by Chippewa Native Americans, was recreated in the 1880s based on exhaustive research. Another highlight is the Fayette Historic Townsite, a well-preserved “ghost town” situated on a beautiful Lake Michigan harbor. Visitors enjoy lakefront views and a backdrop of dramatic cliffs as well as a visitor’s center and 20 historical buildings. The Schoolcraft County Historical Park in Manistique is just a short stroll from Siphon Bridge, featuring a museum and the city’s historic 200-foot, octagonal, brick water tower built in 1922. Those who want to combine historic charm with recreational activity will want to visit Fischer Old Deerfield Resort set against the backdrop of Gulliver Lake. This historic resort features sandy shores that are ideal for families with small children and breathtaking autumn scenery. Gulliver Lake also offers a panoramic park with a picnic area. Many miles of Lake Michigan shoreline are available in Doyle Township for premier fishing and water sports. Other lakefront highlights include the Manistique Light & Boardwalk. The 1916 lighthouse is situated at the harbor entrance to the Manistique River, while the boardwalk extends more than two miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Whether you are looking for a seasonal or year-round home, take some time to discover the many charms of Schoolcraft County.
Germfask Township
Town Hall
906-586-9697
Chamber of Commerce
906-341-5010
http://schoolcraftcountychamber.org
Rural Germfask Township expands the options for residential development and features the tiny unincorporated community of Germfask. A remnant of yesterday when the Manistique Railroad passed through the area, this rustic village is situated in the northern section of the township where the Manistique River crosses the M-77 highway on the eastern edge of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. The two-street town was once called “the dump” because it marked the place where lumbermen dumped logs into the Manistique River in order to float them down to mills in Manistique and along Lake Michigan. The name “Germfask” seems to have a Scandinavian flavor but was actually formed by combining the initials of the last names of the men who first founded the township in 1881. Although the township has no real commercial center today, some businesses thrive on tourism and the Germfask Trading Post still plays an active role in the community. Most visitors are surprised at the bright and neatly arranged interior of the store, which is a contrast to its modest, well-aged exterior. The trading post is especially well-known for its specially imported Kentucky smoked bacon.
Manistique
City Offices
906-341-2290
www.manistique.org
Chamber of Commerce
906-341-5010
http://schoolcraftcountychamber.org
Conveniently located along US Highway 2, the county seat of government and leading city of Manistique serves as the commercial, educational, and healthcare hub of the county. Although the city was named for a Native American word that referred to the “vermillion” color of the river, most residents and visitors would translate the word Manistique as “serene.” Some of the outstanding hallmarks of this community are the peaceful atmosphere, the slower pace of life, and the friendly spirit of local residents. Few communities can rival Manistique for its enchanting Riverwalk Downtown District, lined with charming shops and services. The picturesque Manistique Boardwalk provides a scenic stroll that follows the lakeshore and stretches from the downtown marina past the historic lighthouse. Those who are interested in history will find several points of interest, including the city’s impressive octagonal water tower, Manistique Light, and Siphon Bridge. Schoolcraft County Historical Park draws visitors to museum displays, scores of historic buildings, and a modern visitor’s center. Exceptional natural wonders surround the city in Schoolcraft County, ensuring four-season recreational activities like hiking, biking, picnicking, camping, hunting, fishing, boating, water sports, and winter sports.
