Amasa is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in southern Hematite Township, Iron Mountain County, in the southern-central part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The primary route through the community is US 141, which passes north-south just west of its main population center. Old US 141 (Maple Avenue) runs roughly parallel to, and east of US 141, passing through its downtown district. County Road 643 (Bates-Amasa Road) intersects US 141 in southern Amasa. Crystal Falls is 12.3 miles southeast and Iron River is 15.9 miles southwest of Amasa.
The Little Hemlock River joins the Hemlock River in the north-central part of the village, while the Hemlock River enters the south-central part of the village, flows north to the point where it is joined with the Little Hemlock River, then turns east and south before turning to the northeast, exiting in northeast Amasa.
Like much of the Upper Peninsula, Amasa was formed as a mining town. Iron ore croppings were discovered along the shore of the Hemlock River by Matthew Gibson and his son, J. Thoburn Gibson, in 1888. Once sufficient ore had been discovered, the property was acquired by the Hemlock River Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Pickands Mather & Company. Other companies that mined iron ore in Amasa included the Inland Steel Company, North Range Mining Company, Oliver Iron Mining Company, and Verona Mining Company. Additionally, the Grummett Gold and Silver Mining Company mined for gold and vanadium in the area.
The village was platted in October of 1890, west of the Hemlock River mining operations. Originally named Hemlock, it was soon renamed for Amasa Stone Mather, father-in-law of Colonel Henry S. Pickands, of Picands Mather & Company. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad built a station in Amasa, and a post office was established on March 7, 1891, with Frederick F. Sanford as the first postmaster.
Today, the mines are closed, and village residents are largely employed in the forest products industry. The Rusty Sawblade serves lunch downtown, and Tall Pines Grocery sells grocery and deli items. The old city hall, jail, and fire station are part of the Amasa Historical Society Museum.
The focus of this category is on the village of Amasa, Michigan, so websites representing businesses, industries, churches, schools, organizations, and individuals in Amasa are appropriate here.
Recommended Resources
Located on River Avenue, the Amasa, Michigan automotive shop offers auto-recovery and towing services, oil changes, tire sales and repairs, full-service welding, repair, and fabrication, including MIG, wire feed, stick, plasma cutting, and trailer repair, as well as engine and transmission mounts, shock absorbers, exhaust work, accessory drive belts, radiators, and hoses. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted to the site, along with a photo gallery.
https://amasaauto.com/
Organized in 1898, the congregation was originally known as the Amasa Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was incorporated in 1900, and took its current name in 1949. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America, Bethany Lutheran is in the Great Lakes Synod. Its history, Sunday service schedules, a calendar of upcoming events, policy information, and an introduction to the church for visitors is put forth, with contact information.
https://bethanyamasa.wixsite.com/bethanylutheran
Founded in 1872, the company is headquartered in Bensenville, Illinois, with its manufacturing facility situated in Amasa, Michigan’s industrial park. Its products include hardwood and synthetic sports floor systems for high school gymnasiums, arena courts, clubs and recreation facilities, training and fitness centers, fieldhouses, and NCAA practice and competition facilities. Projects are spotlighted by segment, region, and product, and dealer guide is included.
https://connorsports.com/
Manufacturing pre-cut pallet components and hardwood dimension lumber using timber from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ottawa Forest Products operates two mills: the Ironwood Mill in Ironwood, and the Amasa Mill in Amasa, Michigan, the latter of which was previously the Pine River Hardwoods Mill. Its locations, contacts, and products are highlighted on the site, along with its trucking, private timber sales management, and pulp yard scaling services. Quote requests are available.
http://www.ottawaforestproducts.com/
Situated along US Highway 141 in Amasa, Michigan, Tall Pines includes a hotel, deli, gas station, coin-operated laundry, and a store offering beer, wine, liquor, ice, groceries, propane, and hunting and fishing licenses and supplies. The hotel rooms feature locally made hardwood floors and a list of amenities and features that are posted here, and there is also a treehouse bunkhouse capable of accommodating up to twenty-four people. Rates and online bookings may be available.
https://www.tallpinesamasa.com/
Offering ecological surveys, environmental consulting, resource management plans, a variety of technical services, such as grant and proposal writing, technical writing and editing, GIS services, environmental impact statements, and invasive species control, as well as laboratory analysis of water, wastewater, and soil. Headquartered in Amasa, Michigan, the firm holds several certifications, which are listed here. Test kits may also be ordered through the site.
http://www.white-water-associates.com/
