Escanaba, Michigan

Until 2017, Escanaba continued to be an important shipping point for iron ore to other Great Lakes ports, especially south to Chicago and northern Indiana.[8][9][6] The local paper mill, for many years owned by Mead Corporation's Publishing Paper Division, was operated by the Verso Corporation[14] until 2022 when it was sold to Billerud.[15] Located on the outskirts of the city alongside the Escanaba River, in 2018 the mill was Escanaba's largest employer.[16]

This climatic region is classified as humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb", according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification.[19] It is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Escanaba is described as being in the banana belt of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. While most of the peninsula is affected by significant lake-effect snow, Escanaba's winter climate is much milder due to its location on the windward Lake Michigan shoreline.

• 
  Winter weather displayed near Ludington Park in Escanaba.
• 
  A sunset during the summer, as seen from Water Plant Road.

As of the census[23] of 2010, there were 12,616 people, 5,622 households, and 3,090 families residing in the city. The population density was 979.5/sq mi (378.2/km²). There were 6,178 housing units at an average density of 479.7/sq mi (185.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 0.4% African American, 2.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 5,622 households, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.0% were non-families. Of all households 38.2% were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 13,140 people, 5,800 households, and 3,294 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,038.3 inhabitants per square mile (400.9/km²). There were 6,258 housing units at an average density of 494.5 per square mile (190.9/km²). 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population. 17.0% were of German, 16.5% French, 11.4% French Canadian, 8.8% Swedish, 6.4% Irish and 5.2% English ancestry, according to Census 2000.

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. Of all households 37.0% 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. About 10.8% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Pasties are a significant tourist attraction.[24] Many ethnic groups adopted the pasty for use in the Copper Country copper mines; the Finnish immigrants within the region mistook it for the traditional piiraat and kuuko pastries.[25][26] The pasty has become strongly associated with all cultures in this area.[27]

Escanaba is home to the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, The Waterfront Art Festival, The Players de Noc, The Bay de Noc Choral Society, the Escanaba City Band, and many smaller arts organizations, art galleries, and musical performing groups.[28][29][30][31]

Harbor Hideout in Ludington Park

Sailboat departing the yacht harbor

Harbor Lighthouse at sunset

• Ludington Park: A three-quarter mile stretch of lake shore where the city's easternmost point extends into Little Bay de Noc, it is one of the largest city parks in Upper Michigan. Karas Band Shell is located on the south end of the park and it is where concerts are hosted during the summer. A veterans memorial is located in the center of the park. At the north end of the park (across from municipal marina) there is a scenic gazebo and fountain.[32]
• Harbor Hideout: Located within Ludington Park, the 22,500 square foot playground is constructed of wood and features handicap accessible play areas.[33]
  • Kiwanis Musical Playground: In June, 2018, the Escanaba Kiwanis installed a new handicap accessible musical play area next to harbor hideout. The equipment that was installed included a metallophone, a set of chimes, a kettle drum, and a goblet drum. All of the new equipment installed is ADA compliant.[34]

• Escanaba yacht club: Established in 1934, it hosts several races and events for members during the summer.[32]
• Escanaba Municipal Beach: located on Aronson Island, is open from early June to mid-August. The beach-house includes a changing facility with restrooms and showers. In addition, there is also a small playground and picnic area available for public use. The beach house usually has paddleboards and kayaks available for renting.[32]
• Aronson Island Boat Launch: In order to use the boat launch a day-pass or seasonal permit is needed prior to launching a boat. The launch has a weight restriction of 6,000 pounds and a length restriction of 26 feet, if a boat exceeds this, a special permit must be obtained from the harbormaster.[32]
• North Shore Boat Launch: located on the Escanaba River.

Historic House of Ludington

• The House of Ludington - A landmark historic hotel in downtown Escanaba.[35][6] Originally built in 1865 as the Gaynor House Hotel, it was renamed in 1871 after prominent lumberman Nelson Ludington.[35] It was rebuilt as a brick structure in the Queen Anne Style in 1883, becoming the New Ludington Hotel. It is believed that Al Capone utilized the tunnels located below the basement of the hotel during the prohibition era.[36]
• Sand Point Lighthouse & Delta County Historical Museum - Deactivated in 1939, this lighthouse was used by the United States Coast Guard to house seamen assigned to Escanaba.[13] The building was completely restored to its original design in the late 1860s, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with Escanaba's central downtown district.[13]
• U.P. Steam & Gas Engine Museum[37]
• Carnegie Public Library (Escanaba Public Library)[38]
• Hiawatha National Forest
• Days River Pathway or Days River Nature Pathway[32]
• Escanaba Farmer's Market[32]

Escanaba is located in US Congressional District 1 represented by Jack Bergman (R-2017). The city is in Michigan's 108th State House District and 38th State Senate District, represented by Beau LaFave (R-2017) and Ed McBroom (R-2019), respectively.

As the most populous area in Delta County, Escanaba's four precincts span three of Delta County's five Districts:

The Escanaba City Council consists of five council members who are elected to four-year terms. A Mayor, and a Mayor Pro-Tem are selected by the council members at the first regular meeting following the election.[39]

Delta County Courthouse

Escanaba established its own Department of Public Safety in 1975, which provides police and firefighting services to city residents.

Director of Public Safety: Robert LaMarche

Escanaba is also home to the Delta County Sheriff's Office, which employs ten deputies assigned to road and marine patrol. Additionally, the city is home to the newly constructed $17.9 million Correctional Facility with a capacity for 160 inmates.

Sheriff: Edward Oswald

The Delta County Sheriff's Office participates in the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) as part of a multi-agency operation to arrest criminals engaged in the use, sale, and distribution of drugs throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula.[40]

The Delta County Courthouse serves all of Delta County. The courthouse includes the 47th Circuit Court, the 94th District Court, and Probate Court.[41]

• US 2 runs eastward to St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge, 143 mi (230 km) to the east. Along the way it passes through Gladstone, 9 mi (14 km) north/east and Manistique, 54 mi (87 km) east. It runs west concurrent with US 41 until Powers, and from there 21 mi (34 km) west to Iron Mountain.
• US 41 connects with Marquette 66 mi (106 km) to the north and with Powers 24 mi (39 km) west before turning south to Menominee.
• M-35 runs northwest 51 mi (82 km) through undeveloped areas to Gwinn. Going south, it provides a direct route along the shore of Green Bay to Menominee, 55 mi (89 km) to the southwest.
• M-69 runs northwest toward many rural communities before ending at Crystal Falls.

• The city is served by Delta County Airport (KESC), with daily flights to Detroit and Minneapolis via Delta Connection.[46]

• Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Ironwood, Michigan[47] and between Hancock, Michigan and Milwaukee, Wisconsin[48]