Nestled on Lake Michigan’s shores, Escanaba boasts rich history, natural beauty, and a vibrant community. History
The word "Escanaba" roughly translates from various regional native languages to "land of the red buck" although some people maintain that it refers to "flat rock". Escanaba was an Ojibwa village in the early 19th century. As an American settlement, Escanaba began as a port town in th
e mid-19th century, gaining importance to the Union as a shipping point for iron ore, lumber and copper during the Civil War. In his poem "The Song of Hiawatha", Henry Wadsworth Longfellow described how Hiawatha "crossed the rushing Esconaba" referring to the river. Located on Little Bay de Noc at the northern edge of Lake Michigan, Escanaba continues to serve as an important shipping point for iron ore to other Great Lakes ports, especially south to Chicago and northern Indiana. The local paper mill, for many years Mead Corporation's Publishing Paper Division, is currently operated by NewPage Corporation; located on the outskirts of the city alongside the Escanaba River, it is now the area's largest employer. As shipping increased, a lighthouse was needed to warn of a sand shoals that reached out into Little Bay de Noc from Sand Point, a sandspit located just south of and adjacent to the harbor area. The United States Lighthouse Service approved construction of the Sand Point Lighthouse at a cost of $11,000. Construction began in the fall of 1867 and was completed in early spring 1868. It was deactivated in 1939, and was used by the United States Coast Guard to house seaman assigned to Escanaba. The building was completely restored to its original design in the late 1980s, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic House of Ludington, downtown Escanaba. The House of Ludington is a landmark historic hotel in downtown Escanaba. Originally built in 1865 as the Gaynor House Hotel, it was renamed after lumberman Nelson Ludington 1871. It was rebuilt as a brick structure in the Queen Anne Style in 1883, becoming the New Ludington Hotel. Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.50 square miles (42.73 km2), of which 12.88 square miles (33.36 km2) is land and 3.62 square miles (9.38 km2) is water. Escanaba is home to one the safest natural harbors in the upper Great Lakes, which makes it a natural destination for boaters. Ludington Park, a three-quarter mile stretch of lake shore where the city's easternmost point extends into Little Bay de Noc, is one the of largest city parks in Michigan. Transportation
C&NW railway station in Escanaba, Michigan - 1953. US 2 runs eastward to St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge, 143 miles (230 km) to the east. Along the way it passes through Gladstone, 9 miles (14 km) north/east and Manistique, 54 miles (87 km) east. It runs west concurrent with US 41 until Powers, and from there 21 miles (34 km) west to Iron Mountain. US 41 connects with Marquette 66 miles (106 km) to the north and with Powers 24 miles (39 km) west before turning south to Menominee. M‑35 runs northwest 51 miles (82 km) through undeveloped areas to Gwinn. Going south, it provides a direct route along the shore of Green Bay to Menominee, 55 miles (89 km) to the southwest. M‑69 runs northwest toward many rural communities before ending at Crystal Falls. The city is served by Delta County Airport, with flights daily to Minneapolis/St. Paul and Detroit via Delta Connection Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Ironwood, Michigan[9] and between Hancock, Michigan and Milwaukee, Wisconsin[10]
Demographics
Escanaba is located in Michigan Congressional District 1; its Representative in Congress is Jack Bergman (R).
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 12,160 people, and 5,893 households. The population density was 979.9 inhabitants per square mile (378.2/km2). There were 6,178 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 0.9% African American, 2.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population. There were 5,893 households of which 20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 23.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99. Culture
Although politically a part of the state of Michigan, Escanaba and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan sometimes have closer cultural ties to the state of Wisconsin. Tourism has become significant for the local economy. Tourist draws include Lake Michigan beaches and local fishing and hunting opportunities. Most visitors come from Wisconsin and Illinois. Escanaba is home to the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, The Waterfront Art Festival, The Escanaba City Band, The Players de Noc, The Bay de Noc Choral Society and many smaller arts organizations, art galleries and musical performing groups. Other attractions include the Cedar River Lighthouse, Delta County Historical Museum, Sand Point Lighthouse, U.P. Steam & Gas Engine Museum, Wells Sports Complex, and Ludington Park. In January 1968, Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi's daughter was married in Escanaba at St. Upon finding out his then-unwed daughter was pregnant, Lombardi, who was vacationing in Florida at the time, insisted she drive to Michigan to get married rather than doing it Green Bay, in order to keep the news out of the papers. Local radio stations include KMB Broadcasting's WDBC 680 AM (adult standards) and WYKX 104.7 FM (country music), Lakes Radio's WCHT 600 AM (news/talk), WGLQ 97.1 FM (adult top 40), WCMM 102.5 FM (country), and WGKL 105.5 FM (oldies), and standalone WUPF 107.3 FM (classic hits). Escanaba is also served by low-power translator stations of WNMU translator W296AX from Marquette, MI (at 96.5 FM), WPFF translator W254AG from Sturgeon Bay, WI (at 98.7 FM), and WHWL translator W261AI from Marquette, MI (at 100.1 FM). WJMN-TV, the local television station on channel 3, is mostly a satellite of WFRV in Green Bay and carries CBS programming. WLUC-TV in Marquette also operates a translator station in Escanaba on channel 14. Shopping
Escanaba has a mall called the Delta Plaza Mall, a small enclosed shopping mall that features Dunhams, Harbor Freight, Hobby Lobby, and Marshalls as its anchor stores. The biggest retailers are Wal-Mart and Meijer. The other major retailers in the town are Menards, Walgreens, and Tractor Supply Company. In the downtown district, there are smaller shops, including T & T True Value Hardware, Sav Mor IGA, Dress Up, Lisa Ann's, The Morrison Shop, Quality Sew and Vac, Pam's Petals, For the Love of Cupcakes, Nyman Jewelers, Leigh's Garden Winery, Kobasic Creations, and St. Vincent De Paul. Eateries include Drifters, Hong Kong Buffet, Family Inn, The Buck Inn, Hereford and Hops, Swedish Pantry, Rosy's Diner, Stonehouse, Stone's Deli, Bobaloon's, and the Ludington Grill. Bars and Saloons: Catmando's, Ernie's Irish Pub, and Mo's. Butcher Shops: Viau's Market and Frapp's Market. Sayklly's Confectionery and Gifts (www.upcandy.com) has been providing chocolates and gifts since 1906. Education
Escanaba Area Public Schools operates public schools. Escanaba Middle School; the school board opted to completely renovate the historic 1930s downtown building instead of moving it outside of town. Bay de Noc Community College, a public 2-year college, was founded in the city in 1962.
