Keweenaw County

Keweenaw County is a county located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordered by Lake Superior to the north, Houghton County to the south, and Ontario to the east, across the Soo Locks and St. Marys River. The county is part of the Copper Country region, which also includes Houghton County, Baraga County, and Ontonagon County. The county seat is Eagle River, and the largest city is Ahmeek, both of which are situated near the Keweenaw Bay. The county is named after the Keweenaw Peninsula, which is also home to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and the Keweenaw National Historical Park.

Geography

Keweenaw County is located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, which juts out into Lake Superior and is separated from the rest of the Upper Peninsula by the Portage Lake. The county's geography is characterized by its rugged terrain, with numerous copper mines and quarries scattered throughout the area, including the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company and the Quincy Mine. The county is also home to several waterfalls, including the Eagle River Falls and the Jacob's Falls, which are popular tourist attractions. The Black Creek Nature Sanctuary and the Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary are also located in the county, and offer opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.

History

The area that is now Keweenaw County has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the Ojibwe people being the first known inhabitants of the region. The county was officially established on March 11, 1861, and was named after the Keweenaw Peninsula, which was named after the Ojibwe language word "keweewena", meaning "portage" or "place where portage is made". The county's history is closely tied to the copper mining industry, with the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company being one of the largest and most influential mining companies in the area. The county was also home to several lumber camps and sawmills, including the Ahmeek Lumber Company and the Eagle River Lumber Company.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Keweenaw County was 2,061, with a population density of 13 people per square mile. The county has a total area of 416 square miles, with 156 square miles of land and 260 square miles of water. The county is part of the Houghton, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Houghton County and Baraga County. The county is served by the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Department and the Eagle River Fire Department, and is home to several schools, including the Eagle River School and the Ahmeek School.

Transportation

Keweenaw County is accessible by US Highway 41 and M-26 (Michigan highway), which run through the county and connect it to Houghton County and Baraga County. The county is also served by the Houghton County Memorial Airport and the Calumet Airport, which offer flights to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and other destinations. The county has several marinas and boat launches, including the Eagle River Marina and the Ahmeek Marina, which offer access to Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Bay.

Communities

Keweenaw County has several communities, including the county seat of Eagle River and the largest city of Ahmeek. Other communities in the county include Copper Harbor, Mohawk, and Allouez, which are all located on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The county is also home to several townships, including the Eagle Harbor Township and the Grant Township (Keweenaw County, Michigan), which offer a range of services and amenities to residents and visitors. The county is served by the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners and the Eagle River Village Council, which oversee the county's government and infrastructure. Category:Keweenaw County, Michigan