Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Dickinson County ====== {{:counties:dickinson_county.jpg?600|Downtown Iron Mountain, the county seat of Dickinson County}} **Dickinson County** is a county located in the western portion of Michigan's [[geography:upper_peninsula|Upper Peninsula]]. Established in 1891, it is the youngest of Michigan's 83 counties and was created during the height of the Upper Peninsula iron mining boom. The county seat and largest city is [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]]. [(dickinson>Library of Michigan. Dickinson County Guide. https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/public/michigan/county-guides/guides/dickinson)] [(county>Dickinson County Government. County History. https://www.dickinsoncountymi.gov/government/)] :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Dickinson County is known for its iron mining heritage, lumber industry, outdoor recreation, ski jumping traditions, and its close economic ties to neighboring Wisconsin communities. Today, tourism, manufacturing, forestry, and healthcare form the foundation of the local economy. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} ---- ===== Quick Facts ===== ^ Attribute ^ Information ^ | State | [[state:michigan|Michigan]] | | County Seat | [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] | | Largest City | [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] | | Established | 1891 | | Region | Western Upper Peninsula | | Population (2020) | 25,947 | | Area | 777 sq mi | | Known For | Iron Mining, Lumbering, Pine Mountain Ski Jump | :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} ---- ===== Etymology ===== Dickinson County was named in honor of: * [[people:donald_m_dickinson|Donald M. Dickinson]] a prominent Detroit attorney who served as United States Postmaster General under President: * [[people:grover_cleveland|Grover Cleveland]] [(>dickinson)] :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} The county was created by Public Act 89 of 1891 and became Michigan's final organized county. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} ---- ===== Geography ===== Dickinson County is located along Michigan's border with Wisconsin and borders: * [[counties:marquette_county|Marquette County]] * [[counties:menominee_county|Menominee County]] * [[counties:iron_county|Iron County]] * [[state:wisconsin|Wisconsin]] [(>county)] :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} Major waterways include: * [[geography:menominee_river|Menominee River]] * Sturgeon River * Pine River The county contains extensive forests, lakes, rivers, and rolling terrain characteristic of Michigan's western Upper Peninsula. Tourism and outdoor recreation benefit from these natural resources. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} ---- ===== Indigenous History ===== Prior to European settlement, the region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples including: * Ojibwe * Menominee The area's rivers, forests, and mineral resources supported hunting, fishing, trade, and transportation throughout the Great Lakes region. The Menominee River served as an important travel corridor for centuries before European exploration. [(native>Michigan History Center. Indigenous Peoples of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/mhc)] ---- ===== Iron Mining ===== The discovery of rich iron ore deposits transformed the region during the nineteenth century. In 1873: * [[people:john_lane_buell|John Lane Buell]] identified one of the richest iron ore deposits in North America, leading to the development of the: * [[geography:menominee_iron_range|Menominee Iron Range]] :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} Mining communities rapidly emerged throughout the area, including: * [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] * [[places:norway|Norway]] * [[places:vulcan|Vulcan]] * [[places:quinnesec|Quinnesec]] The Menominee Range became one of the most productive iron mining regions in the United States. Between 1877 and 1955, the range produced nearly 254 million tons of iron ore. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} ---- ===== Chapin Mine ===== One of the county's most famous mines was the: * Chapin Mine located in Iron Mountain. The mine produced approximately 27 million tons of ore and was among the largest iron producers in the world during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} Today the site is preserved through the: * Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum which contains the largest preserved steam-driven pumping engine in North America. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} ---- ===== Lumber Industry ===== Alongside mining, lumbering played a major role in the county's development. The vast forests of the Upper Peninsula supplied: * Construction Lumber * Railroad Ties * Industrial Timber Products Logging camps and sawmills operated throughout the county during the late nineteenth century, helping establish many of the region's communities. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} ---- ===== Iron Mountain ===== The county seat is: * [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] Founded during the mining boom of the 1870s, Iron Mountain became the commercial and transportation center of the Menominee Iron Range. It was selected as county seat when Dickinson County was organized in 1891. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} Today, Iron Mountain remains the county's largest community and serves as a regional center for healthcare, retail, and government services. ---- ===== Kingsford and Henry Ford ===== The city of: * [[places:kingsford|Kingsford]] became closely associated with: * [[people:henry_ford|Henry Ford]] during the 1920s. Ford established industrial operations in the area that utilized wood products from Upper Peninsula forests. These operations eventually contributed to the development of: * Kingsford Charcoal one of the most recognizable charcoal brands in the United States. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} During World War II, local facilities also produced military gliders and related equipment. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} ---- ===== Recreation ===== Outdoor recreation is one of Dickinson County's most important industries. Popular activities include: * Hunting * Fishing * Snowmobiling * Skiing * Hiking * Camping * Boating Major attractions include: * Pine Mountain Ski Jump * Fumee Lake Natural Area * Menominee River * Pine Mountain Recreation Area :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} The county is particularly known for: * Pine Mountain Ski Jump one of the largest artificial ski jumps in the world and a host of international ski jumping competitions. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} ---- ===== Transportation ===== Transportation infrastructure includes: * U.S. Highway 2 * U.S. Highway 141 * State Highway M-95 * Rail Freight Connections The county is also served by: * Ford Airport near Iron Mountain, which provides commercial passenger service and regional cargo operations. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} ---- ===== Government ===== County government administers: * Courts * Elections * Public Records * Sheriff's Office * Emergency Services * Public Health Programs County offices are headquartered in: * [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] The historic Dickinson County Courthouse was completed in 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18} ---- ===== Communities ===== Major communities within Dickinson County include: * [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] * [[places:kingsford|Kingsford]] * [[places:norway|Norway]] * [[places:quinnesec|Quinnesec]] * [[places:vulcan|Vulcan]] * [[places:felch|Felch]] :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19} ---- ===== Legacy ===== Dickinson County occupies an important place in Michigan history through its: * Iron Mining Industry * Lumber Production * Railroad Development * Industrial Manufacturing * Outdoor Recreation As Michigan's newest county, Dickinson reflects the economic forces that shaped the Upper Peninsula during the late nineteenth century. Today, it remains a major center of tourism, recreation, and regional commerce in the western Upper Peninsula. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20} ---- ===== See Also ===== * [[places:iron_mountain|Iron Mountain]] * [[places:kingsford|Kingsford]] * [[geography:menominee_iron_range|Menominee Iron Range]] * [[geography:menominee_river|Menominee River]] * [[counties:iron_county|Iron County]] * [[state:michigan|Michigan]] ---- ===== References ===== ~~REFNOTES~~ {{tag>counties dickinson_county iron_mountain kingsford menominee_iron_range mining upper_peninsula tourism}} counties/dickinson_county.txt Last modified: 2026/06/01 16:37by admin