The City of Escanaba, Michigan is a port city, the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula, and the Delta County seat of government.
Situated in Wells and Ford River townships, Escanaba borders Little Bay de Noc on the east. Gladstone is about eight miles to the north. The only other incorporated municipalities within twenty-five miles of Escanaba are the villages of Powers and Garden.
Both the City of Escanaba and Escanaba Township were named for the Escanaba River, which flows into Little Bay de Noc just north of the city. Escanaba Township is north of the city, but not adjacent to it. The southern portion of Gladstone is in Escanaba Township.
The chief routes to and from Escanaba are US-2, US-41, and M-35. US-2 runs eastward, from Escanaba, to St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge, passing through Gladstone and Manistique. West from Escanaba, it runs concurrently with US-41 until it reaches Powers, then continues west to Iron Mountain. US-41 connects with Marquette to the north, and with Powers to the west, then turns south to Menominee. M-35 runs northwest to Gwinn and, to the south, it follows the coast of Green Bay to Menominee.
Since Escanaba is only a couple of hours from Green Bay, and five or six hours from Chicago, out-of-state tourists are usually from Wisconsin or Illinois. Its biggest attraction is the waterfront, including the beach at Ludington Park, the yacht harbor, and Sand Point Lighthouse.
Built in 1867, the lighthouse is a story-and-a-half rectangular building with an attached tower made of brick, topped with a cast-iron lantern room housing a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Before it was deactivated in 1939, nine lightkeepers and their families resided at the lighthouse. In that year the US Coast Guard replaced the lighthouse with an automated crib light several hundred feet offshore. The Coast Guard occupied the building until 1985, using it as housing for seamen assigned to duty in Escanaba. Today, the structure is operated by the Delta County Historical Society and continues as an unofficial aid to navigation. It is open to the public during the summer months.
Downtown Escanaba is home to several businesses serving residents, local visitors, and tourists alike. These include coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, and other retail businesses, including restaurants reflecting the Swedish heritage of the area.
In the early 1800s, there was an Ojibwa village in the area known as Escanaba, although there are various views as to its meaning. Also the Ojibwa name for the river, whose mouth is just north of the city. Some say that Escanaba meant "flat rock" while others insist that it the word for "red buck." In an 1830 treat, the river was spelled Skonawby. In "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Hiawatha is depicted crossing the rushing Escanawba, a reference to the river.
Escanaba was first settled by European-Americans in the 1850s but was originally known as Sandy Point, for the sandy point jutting out into Little Bay de Noc. The first white settlers came for the lumber, which was prevalent in the region. On December 7, 1853, a post office was established, although it was spelled Esconawba. Alden Chandler was the first postmaster. In 1861, Escanawba was named the county seat.
By the time of the American Civil War, Escanawba was a significant shipping port, as iron ore mined in the Marquette Range, as well as lumber, were shipped out on barges from the port of Escanawba. This was of particular importance to the Union during the war. Iron ore was shipped out from Escanaba up until 2017.
The settlement was platted by Eli P. Royce in 1863. On June 28, 1864, the post office's name was changed to Flat Rock, but was restored to Esconawba later the same day.
Also in 1863, construction began on the Peninsula Railroad from Negaunee to Escanaba, and the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad began operations later that same year. Once completed, iron ore began to be shipped out by railroad as well as by barge. The railroad arranged for an ore dock to be built, and the builder of the dock, R.A. Connolly, later built the first frame house in Escanaba, as well as a hotel.
The spelling was changed to Escanaba on June 1, 1875, and Escanaba was incorporated as a village in 1866, becoming a city in 1883.
The focal point of this guide is on the City of Escanaba, Michigan. Appropriate resources for this guide include websites representing the government of the city, or the county, as it is its seat, as well as any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, or events within the city.
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Recommended Resources
Founded in 1962, Bay de Noc Community College is a public two-year institution with its main campus in Escanaba, Michigan, and another campus, Bay College West, in Iron Mountain. Offering two-year Associate Degrees in Arts, Science, and Applied Science, the college also offers several certificate programs, and training and development courses. Its admissions policies, tuition costs, and information about scholarships and placement are put forth.
https://www.baycollege.edu/
Troop 411 is sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba, Michigan, and part of the Hiawathaland District of the Bay Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America youth organization. The troop meets weekly at the church. and there are weekend activities each month, as well as a summer camp each year. Meeting schedules, a calendar of events, contacts, and information about upcoming activities are posted to the site, along with a blog.
https://411scouts.com/
The official municipal website introduces the city council, boards, and commissions, and offers council meeting agendas and minutes, public meeting notices, and an overview of city programs and services. An introduction to the city presented, including the city band, its parks and recreational programs, links to community organizations, and a photo gallery. A staff directory, maps, tourism and event videos, announcements, and employment opportunities are included.
https://www.escanaba.org/
Published in Escanaba, Michigan, the newspaper serves the city of Escanaba, Delta County, and the south-central portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, offering local, statewide, and national news and sports stories, including outdoor sports. Obituaries, opinion columns, and community features are also published, as well as classified advertising, garage sales, and job openings. Advertising and subscription opportunities are available, and news may be submitted.
https://www.dailypress.net/
Formed in 1921, the Chamber is a voluntary federation of businesses and professional people in Delta County, Michigan. Headquartered in Escanaba, the Chamber is a member-operated, not-for-profit advocate for business, and particularly member businesses. Its membership levels, fees, and an online membership application are put forth, and meeting schedules, a calendar of events, and a guide to attractions and events within the county are included.
https://www.deltami.org/
The county-owned airport is situated two nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Escanaba, Michigan, from where it offers commercial air services to Detroit twice a day, and is designated as a non-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration. Included is a terminal floor map, and information about parking, ground transportation, security, and airport services. Advertising opportunities at the airport and on its website are discussed.
https://flyesc.com/
Delta County Historical Society
Founded in 1948, the non-profit organization serves to collect local historical materials, preserve them, and make them available for viewing at its museum, through archives, and the Sand Point Lighthouse. Membership information, volunteer opportunities, the locations of its sites, including hours of operation, a calendar of events, a telephone number, and an email address. Other resources include a photo gallery, and a searchable catalog showing its collections.
http://deltahistorical.org/
The unique museum displays the history of Escanaba, Michigan through a collection of postcards from the early to the mid-20th century. Its lobby features information about the museum and postcard collecting in general, and its galleries (structure, recreation, transportation, industry, and miscellaneous) provides access to the entire collection of cards in more than eighty exhibits, which may be viewed online. Also included is a blog.
https://www.eskycards.com/
Founded in 1903 with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation and a guaranteed income from the City of Escanaba, the library was originally located on South 7th Street, and a branch library was established in North Escanaba in 1904. Construction of its current building on Ludington Street began in 1992, opening in 1995. Hours of operation, an overview of its books and other collections, its local history and genealogy resources, and a calendar of events are featured.
https://escanabalibrary.org/
The dental office in Escanaba, Michigan offers general and cosmetic dental treatments, including fillings, dentures, crowns, orthodontics, implants and restorations, and teeth whitening. Its location, business hours, associations, and payment options are featured, and its services are listed and described. Other resources include an overview of its insurance and billing policies, online appointment requests, and patient reviews. A contact form is included.
https://www.knudsendentistry.com/
OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group
Affiliated with OSF Healthcare, a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare organization that operates a medical group, hospital system, and other health facilities in Illinois and Michigan. St. Francis has been in operation since 1884. Maps and directions are posted, and an overview of its medical services, guest amenities, partnerships, awards, certifications, and a history of the facility are published, along with volunteer opportunities, and information about making contributions.
https://www.osfhealthcare.org/st-francis/
Created and maintained by the Bay de Noc Convention & Visitors Bureau, headquartered in Escanaba, the site features a history of the Escanaba area, and a guide to hotels, motels, resorts, lodges, and campsites, as well as restaurants, shopping venues, museums, historical sites, and attractions. Festivals and annual events, including the Upper Peninsula State Fair and Events grounds are posted, and outdoor activities are discussed. A published guide is available on request.
https://www.visitescanaba.com/