Escanaba, Michigan
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Escanaba is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located on the state's Upper Peninsula. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,140. It is the county seat of Delta County6.
There is also Escanaba Township, which is north of the city and is not adjacent to it, although a portion of the urban area around the city extends into the township. Both are named for the Escanaba River that flows into the Little Bay de Noc of Lake Michigan just north of the city.
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History
The word "Escanaba" roughly translates from various regional native languages to "flat rock". Escanaba began as a port town in the mid-to-late 1800s, gaining importance to the Union for a shipping point for iron ore and copper during the civil war. Located on Little Bay de Noc at the northern edge of Lake Michigan, Escanaba continues to serve as an important shipping point for lumber, copper, and iron ore to other Great Lakes ports, but especially south to Chicago. It continues as a port today for iron ore shipments, but the town's paper mill is now its largest employer.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.8 km² (16.5 mi²). 32.8 km² (12.7 mi²) of it is land and 10.0 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 23.32% 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, located along the lake shore, is one the of largest city parks in Michigan.
Transportation
The city is served by several highways:
- U.S. Highway 41 connects with Marquette 66 miles to the north and with Powers 24 miles west before turning south to Menominee.
- U.S. Highway 2 runs eastward to St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge 143 miles to the east. Along the way it passes through Gladstone, 9 miles east and, Manistique, 54 miles east. It runs west concurrent with US 41 till Powers, and from there 21 miles west to Iron Mountain.
- Michigan State Highway 35 runs northwest 51 miles through undeveloped areas to Gwinn. Going south, it provides a direct route along the shore of the Bay of Green Bay to Menominee 55 miles to the southwest.
The city is served by Delta County Airport, with flights daily to Milwaukee via Midwest Express Airlines.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 13,140 people, 5,800 households, and 3,294 families residing in the city. The population density was 400.7/km² (1,038.3/mi²). There were 6,258 housing units at an average density of 190.9/km² (494.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.66% White, 0.11% African American, 2.61% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,800 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,125, and the median income for a family was $36,995. Males had a median income of $32,310 versus $21,204 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,589. 13.8% of the population and 10.8% of families were below the poverty line. 17.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Culture
Although politically a part of the state of Michigan, Escanaba and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan have closer cultural ties to the state of Wisconsin. Tourism has become a significant portion of the local economy. The draws are the beaches of Lake Michigan and the local fishing and hunting opportunities. Most visitors come from Wisconsin and Illinois. A famous visit occurred in the late 1960s by legendary football coach Vince Lombardi at the height of his fame. His daughter was married in St. Annes church in Escanaba. (source: "When Pride Still Mattered" The Vince Lombardi Story).
There was a bid in the 1970s for the Upper Peninsula to secede from the State of Michigan to form a new state called Superior, with Escanaba as its capital. It was ultimately unsuccessful.
Escanaba is the home to the following cultural institutions and events: 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.
The feature film Escanaba in da Moonlight, starring Jeff Daniels, was filmed on location in Escanaba in 1999.
The Escanaba High School Eskymo's football team were state champions in 1981 and runners up in 1979.
The cultural influences prevalent in the area are linked to the ethnic makeup of many of its citizens: Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Italian, French, Irish and Native American.
Escanaba is located in Michigan Congressional District 1, it's current U.S. Representative in Congress is Bart Stupak (D), a graduate of Escanaba High School and a former City of Escanaba Police Officer.
Escanaba is home to Bay de Noc Community College.
Escanaba is the home of the UP State Fairgrounds, the fair occurring each August.
Escanaba also host several American Quarter Horse shows per year.