The
City of Negaunee is a safe, friendly community with
award-winning schools, first-rate medical clinics, unique
shopping and dining experiences and abundant entertainment
and recreational opportunities.
Enjoy
live performances at our historic Vista
Theatre. Travel back in time at the Michigan Iron
Industry Museum and the Negaunee
Historical Museum. Marvel at the fireworks over
beautiful Teal Lake during the mid-winter Heikki
Lunta Winterfest and mid-summer Pioneer
Days. Embrace the outdoors throughout the seasons
with swimming, boating, windsurfing, fishing, skiing,
luging, and ice skating. Join with visitors from
across the nation, and the world, to watch the thrilling
international ski jumping competition at Suicide Hill
and Lucy Run; the fast-paced start of the annual Ore
to Shore Mountain Bike Epic; and the action-packed Negaunee
Invitational Basketball Tournament.
City
of Negaunee’s Beginnings
The
discovery of iron ore by an exploratory mining party
near the shore of Teal Lake in 1844 launched the birth
of the City of Negaunee. Native Americans who had long
resided in and traversed the area led the explorers
to the massive outcropping of ore. Their heritage lives
on in the name of Negaunee, which means “pioneer”
in Chippewa.
The
Jackson Mine was established in 1845 in Negaunee to
mine the iron ore which would be shipped to steel making
plants. The first iron forge in the Lake Superior region
was established soon after in Negaunee as well.
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The
community grew. In 1858, Negaunee was given a post office.
In 1865, Negaunee was incorporated as a town and in
1868 the first police force was formed. 1873 marks
the year Negaunee was recognized as a city. As
mining operations expanded, many immigrants helped settle
the area, bringing with them rich traditions that remain
today.
