Ishpeming

Ishpeming is a city in Marquette County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It lies in the central part of the county along the Sturgeon River and is located a short distance west of Marquette. The city developed during the Lake Superior iron ore mining era and became a center for workers and industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The mining industry shaped the community, attracting immigrants from Europe and contributing to the area’s growth and infrastructure. The Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum preserves a large collection of mining equipment, underground artifacts, and exhibits related to the region’s ore industry, and serves as a reminder of Ishpeming’s industrial heritage.

Today Ishpeming has a diversified economy that includes services, education, small manufacturing, and healthcare. The city maintains parks, schools, and cultural amenities, and serves as a regional hub for residents of the surrounding rural area. Its setting in the Upper Peninsula provides access to four-season outdoor recreation, including snow sports and nearby forests and rivers.

Population is small, with several thousand residents, and the city is governed by a mayor and a council within the framework of Marquette County. The area continues to attract visitors and residents interested in the mining heritage and the natural environment of the Upper Peninsula.