Marquette, Michigan
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Marquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,661, making it the largest city in the Upper Peninsula. It is the county seat of Marquette County6. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore, and is the home of Northern Michigan University.
The city was originally named Worcester (pronounced WOOS ter; the "or" spoken like the "oo" in book), after Worcester, Massachusetts. It is now named for the French explorer Jacques Marquette. Marquette has always been a shipping port for hematite ores and now enriched iron ore pellets from nearby mines and pelletizing plants. The city includes several small islands (principally Middle Island, Gull Island, Lover's Island, Presque Isle Pt. Rocks, White Rocks, Ripley Rock and Picnic Rocks) in Lake Superior. The Marquette Underwater Preserve lies immediately offshore. A regional medical center, Marquette General Hospital, serving much of the Upper Peninsula is located in the city. Marquette Mountain, used for skiing, is located in the city, as is the majority of the land of Marquette Branch Prison. Trowbridge Park (an unincorporated part of Marquette Township) is located to the west, and Marquette Township to the northwest of the city.
The area in and around the city is the legendary home of the Marquette Monster, which is depicted at the top of the Old City Hall plaque.
The film Anatomy of a Murder, dramatizing an incident that happened in the area, was partly filmed in Marquette, much of it in the county courthouse.
A large portion of the acclaimed graphic novel Blankets by Craig Thompson takes place in Marquette.
In 2004, President George W. Bush made a campaign stop in Marquette, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit Michigan's Upper Peninsula since William H. Taft in 1911.
The Roman Catholic Bishop Frederic Baraga is buried at St. Peter Cathedral.
Marquette is the sister city of Kajaani, Finland and Yokaichi, Japan.
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History
Postal and philatelic history
In addition to the Marquette #1 Post Office there is the "Northern Michigan University Bookstore Contract Station #384".[1]
The first day of issue of a postal card showing Bishop Frederic Baraga took place in Marquette on June 29, 1984.
Geography
Image:MIMap-doton-Marquette.PNG According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.2 km² (19.4 mi²). 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²) of it is land and 20.6 km² (8.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 41.09% water.
People and Culture
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 19,661 people, 8,071 households, and 4,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 665.3/km² (1,723.9/mi²). There were 8,429 housing units at an average density of 285.2/km² (739.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.04% White, 0.82% African American, 1.74% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,071 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.6% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 25.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,918, and the median income for a family was $48,120. Males had a median income of $34,107 versus $24,549 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,787. 17.0% of the population and 7.2% of families were below the poverty line. 12.3% of those under the age of 18 and 5.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Museums and Galleries
The DeVos Art Museum is the art museum at Northern Michigan University. Art galleries include 231 House of Muses and the Oasis Gallery for Contemporary Art.
Neighborhoods of Marquette
Marquette consists of a number of neighborhoods; however, Picnic Rocks are not included in one of these:
- Central
- Condominiums
- East
- East Central
- Lake Superior Village/Marquette County Housing - Low income housing, located in North Marquette.
- North - Most commonly referred to as "North Marquette".
- Northeast
- North Lakeshore
- Northwest
- Orianna
- Shiras Hills
- South Central
- Southwest
- West Central
- "The Village" - The Village is generally perceived to extend from Washington to E. Fair streets, and from 4th street westward to Lakeshore boulevard. The Village contains a unique mile long shopping district with shops, gift shops, banks, and restaurants located on Third Street. This unique and diverse neighborhood is also home to many NMU students and faculty, as well as some of Marquette's oldest residences.
Suburbs of Marquette
Festivals and events
- Art on the Rocks - An art festival at Presque Isle Park.
- Hiawatha Music Festival Traditional Music Festival at Tourist Park (28th Annual July 21-23, 2006.)
- Superior Bike Fest
- Rotary International Food Fest