906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Alpha
The Village of Alpha is on the Heritage Trail tour and includes the historic Porter School and Alpha Museum, both in the Alpha Circle Historic District. Several buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Village of Alpha was incorporated in 1914, which also marked the opening of the K-12 Alpha Porter School. The last class to graduate from Porter School was in 1967. Several small businesses are now located in the former school, as well as a summer/fall farmers market held on the school grounds. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 145.
Amasa
The unincorporated community of Amasa is home to renowned NBA and NCAA basketball flooring manufacturer, Connor Sports Flooring. The community began in 1910 as a Finnish iron mining and logging boom town of just over 1,000 people. Now with a population of 283, Amasa residents are largely employed in the forest products industry. Attractions include the Amasa Historical Society Museum, which includes replicas of a trapper’s cabin and old time barber shop.
Caspian
The City of Caspian’s development mirrors the expansion of the mining industry on the west side of the county after the turn of the century. At one time, six mines operated in the immediate area, including the Caspian from which the settlement took its name by 1913. Caspian was incorporated as a city with a commission-manager form of government in 1950. The city includes the Iron County Multi-Purpose Building/Ice Arena, Apple Blossom Biking and Walking Trail, and an Industrial Park. Caspian is also home to the Iron County Museum that comprises 25 buildings that make up the Heritage Village. The museum is home of the Lee LeBlanc Wildlife Art Gallery.
Crystal Falls
Crystal Falls is the county seat of Iron County and was named for the falls on the Paint River. The city’s heritage includes early iron mining and timber exploration. The pride of downtown Crystal Falls is the 1890 Romanesque-style Iron County Courthouse, which sits on top of the hill and affords those who tour it a stunning vista of the countryside. The Harbour House Museum is also located in the city. The city owns and operates its own hydro-electric plant and cable TV system. Its industrial park is located one-half mile west of town. The local golf course overlooks the Paint River and offers 9-holes of challenging play. As of the 2010 census, the population is 1,469.
Gaastra
Gaastra is named after Douwe Gaastra, a building contractor and real estate speculator who bought the land in October 1908 and platted the town. It was incorporated as a village in 1919 and as a city in 1949. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 347.
Iron River
Iron River is the largest city in Iron County and home to the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo, held in late July each year, and the Iron County Fair. Like other communities in the county, it owes its existence to the iron first mined here in 1879. In a 2000 election, adjoining Stambaugh and Mineral Hills were consolidated with Iron River, adding about 1,500 citizens to Iron River, now pop. 3,029. The city has a new, 18-hole disc golf course (The Tailings), which has already drawn good reviews. Ski Brule, one of the Northwoods busiest ski hill complexes, is located just a few miles south of the city.
Yoopers Are Proud Of Being Yoopers
Whether they were born and raised or were graciously accepted as a transplant, they’re Yoopers and proud of it. From their way of life to the recent addition of “Yooper” to the dictionary, there’s plenty to boast about. The rest of the nation can joke about the 906 not having internet or running water–Yoopers are proud of who they are and what they stand for.
- Yoopers Could Survive The Next Ice Age No Problem. Yoopers don’t just survive massive amounts of snow accumulation and bitter cold–they celebrate them. These winter moments just mean the ice is thick enough for ice fishing and that the ski hills and snowmobile trails have fresh powder. The world becomes their freezer, and they like it that way.
- Yoopers Are A Bunch Of Cheese Heads: The Upper Peninsula is more connected to Wisconsin than it is the rest of Michigan, so it’s only natural that most Yoopers choose to root for the Packers. If you’re cruising through the western side of the peninsula especially, expect to see more Packer memorabilia and football broadcasts than any other team.
- Yoopers Are Hard Core Hunters: When the first day of deer-hunting season is considered a holiday and schools have the day off, you know hunting is a big deal. Almost everyone goes out in search of a big buck and venison is considered a delicacy by most. Some go for the hunt and some go for the experience that is deer camp.
- Yoopers Are Euchre Fanatics: Euchre is a card game played commonly played with four people that are split into teams of two. The rules are somewhat complicated to explain, so you’ll just have to ask someone to teach you. If you are a Yooper, odds are someone in your family taught you how to play–but not that willingly. Learning how to play euchre is almost as much of a right of passage as your first deer season in the U.P.
- Yoopers Are A Tight-Knit Bunch: someecards.com – I’m glad we locked down our friendship during childhood since meeting each other today would be a disaster. If they’re not your cousin, they’re a friend of your cousin and have come to at least one of your birthday parties. Anytime Yoopers go to the grocery store, they have to factor in 15 extra minutes for the conversations they’ll have when they run into at least three people they know. Because chances are, they’ve gone to school with the same people since kindergarten and know everything about everyone. It’s never hard to find a common thread.
- Yoopers Are Still The Friendliest People You’ll Ever Meet: Yoopers are the kindest group of people you will ever come across. You may get the glare, but they’ll still help you find your way to a beautiful waterfall or give you directions when you’re lost. They’ll gladly tell you which shop in town has the best pasty. If you want to explore the pristine forest, they’ll direct you to a spot with the best view. Once my car broke down on my way to L’Anse and literally everyone that drove past stopped to offer me a helping hand.
- Yoopers Are Rural And Loving It: Let’s get this straight from the start–being rural doesn’t make Yoopers back-wood rednecks. The Upper Peninsula is a pristine area full vast beauty, awe-inducing sights and secluded islands. Nearly anywhere you are, as long as there is no cloud cover, you are sure to get the best view of the night stars or northern lights you’ve ever seen. In some areas, it’s even possible to see the Milky Way. From waterfalls to mountains, there is no shortness of natural beauty in the U.P.
- Yoopers Are Beer Guzzlers, And They Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way: Yoopers like to drink. Whether it’s at deer camp or a summer festival, Yoopers can out-drink the best of them, and that’s the way they like it. It goes hand in hand with their heritage and how tough they are.
Rewarding Places to Stay in Michigan
AmericInn
by Wyndham
Chicaugon
Lake Inn
906-265-9244
1700 County Road 424
Gaastra, MI 49917
Lakeshore Motel
Ice Lake
906-265-3611
1257 W Ice Lake Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
Pioneer
Lodge
800-362-7853
373 Brule Mountain Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
Ski Brule
Village
800-DO-BRULE
906-265-4957
397 Brule Mountain Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
Tall
Pines
906-822-7713
1968 US 141 Highway
Amasa, MI 49903
Iron County Michigan Visitors Guide
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.