Situated in upper central Forsyth Township, Marquette County, in the northern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Gwinn is an unincorporated community and census-designated place.
The unincorporated community of New Swanzy is included in the southeastern corner of the Gwinn CDP, so we will include it here, as well.
New Swanzy began after the former community of Old Swanzy, about three miles to the northeast, became a ghost town. Today, New Swanzy remains a distinct community of several residential streets, a hotel, a bar, restaurants, and several commercial businesses, although the two communities have grown to almost touch one another. Gwinn and New Swanzy are connected by M-35, although the two communities have individual street grids, none of which connect.
The East Branch and the Middle Branch of the Escanaba River converge in southwest Gwinn, forming the main stem of the river. The Middle Branch of the Escanaba River forms most of the western boundaries of the Gwinn CDP, while the East Branch flows through the center of the community. M-553 forms the western boundaries of the CDP, while a tributary to the Escanaba forms much of the CDP's northern boundary, and Iron Pin Trail, County Road EX, and South Blue Lake Road, form most of its southern boundary.
Marquette is about twenty miles north of Gwinn. Other cities and villages within twenty-five miles include Negaunee, Ishpeming, and Chatham. Besides New Swanzy, other unincorporated communities within ten miles of Gwinn include Austin, Princeton, Plains, Swanzy, Little Lake, K.I. Sawyer, and Cedar Bank.
Like many communities in the Upper Peninsula, Gwinn began as an iron mining town.
In 1902, the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Mining Company acquired property in the region, and began mining iron. Before long, several mines were in operation, mostly in the Austin and Princeton areas. In 1907, William G. Mather, president of Cleveland-Cliffs, determined that there was a need for a town to house the mine workers. The site of Gwinn was chosen because there were no mineral deposits there and, with the rivers and streams, it was a beautiful area.
Designed by Warren H. Manning, a prominent Boston architect, Gwinn was intended to be a model town. Construction began in 1907, and was completed by 1910. The town was named for Mather's mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lucy Gwinn.
During the construction of the town, the course of the Escanaba River was altered to prevent flooding of nearby mines.
Cleveland-Cliffs founded a 15-bed hospital, and Dr. MacIntire served as its chief physician for several years. The company also built a recreational facility, known as The Clubhouse, which included a bowling alley, tennis course, skating rink, and swimming pool, as well as showers in the basement. The Gwinn Hotel was opened after construction of the town had been completed. A post office was established in Gwinn on November 19, 1908, with Winfield S. Nelson as postmaster. The Gwinn Savings Bank was opened in November of 1908. A clock tower was added to the bank building in 1914 and, although it was dismantled in 1990, it was restored in 2014.
Although Gwinn was created as a company town, the influence of the mining company waned over the years. By the 1930s, the company had no role in the operation of the town. By 1946, Cleveland-Cliffs had sold the last of its property in Gwinn.
In 2002, the sections of Gwinn that were platted during the period in which the Cleveland-Cliffs Mining Company was involved in the town's affairs were listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Although the designer's plans for the town were never fully implemented, the section of Gwinn that was platted has remained loyal to the Manning plan. Federal funding has recently paid for renovation and beautification projects within the historic district, including exterior masonry restoration of the Community Clubhouse.
The focus of this category is on the community of Gwinn, Michigan. Appropriate topics include online resources representing Gwinn businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, and sports and recreational facilities and programs, as well as informational sites.
Resources relating to New Swanzy may be listed here as well.
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Associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist congregation meets at its facilities on North Billings Street in Gwinn, Michigan. The address, phone number, email address, and a contact form are available, along with its Sunday and Wednesday service schedules, an overview of its prayer ministries, evangelism activities, home groups, and ministries to children, youth, and young adults. Links to videos of weekly sermons are included, and announcements are posted.
http://www.firstbaptistgwinn.org/
Serving the K-12 population in the larger Gwinn, Michigan area, the district operates K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, Gilbert Elementary School, and Gwinn Middle/High School, each of which is featured here, including student handbooks, reports, and other documents, as well as school schedules, staff contacts, and announcements. Resources for students, students, and staff are included, and an organizational chart, departmental information, and employment opportunities.
https://www.gwinn.k12.mi.us/
The furniture dealership in Gwinn, Michigan specializes in rustic furniture but carries a much larger inventory of products, including artwork, rustic bed sets, custom-made furniture, several styles of dining room sets, coffee tables, end tables, couches, loungers, recliners, sitting chairs, rockers, gliders, a large variety of rugs to choose from, and several gift items. Videos of the company's television commercials are featured, and a map shows the location of the store.
https://gwinnfurniture.wordpress.com/
Located in downtown Gwinn, Michigan, the restaurant is housed in a building that is more than a hundred and ten years old, one of the first three buildings constructed in the model town of Gwinn. Although the business model has gone through several changes over the year, the Gwinn Inn is currently known for its pizza. Its location is shown on a map, its menu is published, and its bar phone number, take-out number, and bar and kitchen hours are published on the site, and specials are featured.
https://www.gwinninn.com/
Chartered in 1952, the organization has contributed much to the Gwinn, Michigan community, as well as supporting the key goals of Lions Clubs International. The histories of the local and international organizations are told, and the purposes of the Lions Club are listed. Membership information and schedules are published, sponsors are acknowledged, and sponsorship opportunities are discussed. A calendar of events, galleries of photographs, and a list of supported organizations are included.
https://www.gwinnlionsclub.org/
Gwinn Sawyer Chamber of Commerce
Formed in 1984, the Chamber is a non-profit, volunteer business membership organization that supports business and tourism in the region. The organization is introduced on its site, which also includes a brief history of the communities of Gwinn, K.I. Sawyer, and New Swanzy, Michigan, as well as information about Forsyth Township, with a focus on what the area has to offer in natural resources and infrastructure supporting residents and visitors. An event calendar is included.
http://gwinnmi.com/
The grocery supermarket in Gwinn, Michigan features a full produce department, meat department, deli and bakery department, frozen foods department, and a liquor department. Its location is shown on a map, and its phone and fax numbers are posted. Weekly advertising specials are posted, and customers may register for an account which allows them to create a personalized shopping list. Coupons may be included, weekly recipes are featured, and all recipes are categorized and available by search.
https://www.larrysfamilyfoods.com/
Although its ownership, buildings, locations, and names have changed through the years, the business began in the early 1960s in a small cabin on Big Shag Lake, where hot chocolate and hot dogs were served. In 1973, it was in a larger building that housed 13 hotel rooms, a restaurant, and a tavern. After a 2005 fire, the business reopened in its current location, and with its current name, featuring a tavern and bar. Contacts, directions, a photo gallery, and a calendar of events are posted.
http://theupnorthlodge.com/
