Wakefield, Michigan

Wakefield, Michigan
City

Nee-Gaw-Nee-Gaw-Bow (Leading Man), by Peter Wolf Toth (1988), to honor the Chippewa Indians; it is located on the lakeside pier next to the Wakefield Visitor’s Center and was carved from one piece of pine donated by the Ottawa National Forest. It is one of Toth's Whispering Giants.

Location of Wakefield, Michigan
Coordinates: 46°28′34″N 89°56′21″W / 46.47611°N 89.93917°W / 46.47611; -89.93917
Country United States
State Michigan
County Gogebic
Government
 • City Council Mayor Joseph R. DelFavero
Mayor Pro Tem John C. Granato
Robert J. Blaskowski
Amy Tarro
Kay A. Wiita
 • City Manager Richard Brackney
 • Treasurer Sherry Ravelli
 • City Clerk Jennifer Jacobson
Area[1]
 • Total 8.59 sq mi (22.25 km2)
 • Land 8.02 sq mi (20.77 km2)
 • Water 0.57 sq mi (1.48 km2)
Elevation 1,539 ft (469 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 1,851
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 1,807
 • Density 230.8/sq mi (89.1/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 49968
Area code(s) 906
FIPS code 26-82780[4]
GNIS feature ID 1622046[5]
Website http://www.cityofwakefield.org

Wakefield is a city in Gogebic County, Michigan, United States. It is located in the western Upper Peninsula. The population was 1,851 at the 2010 census.

The city is situated within Wakefield Township, but is politically independent. It is on U.S. Highway 2 (US 2) about 10 miles (16 km) east of Ironwood and the Wisconsin border. M-28 has its western terminus in the city.

It is home to Sunday Lake, Indianhead Mountain Resort, Gogebic County Medical Care Facility, and Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority. Once a mining town, the economy is now based upon the forest industry, goods and services, and tourism.

History

Founding

George Mix Wakefield,[6] born February 6, 1839, in Henderson, New York, a son of James Patterson Wakefield and Hannah B. Hall, had the town site of Wakefield platted in May 1886; the general location was already being referred to as "Wakefield" as early as the fall of 1884. His parents moved their family to Waukesha County, Wisconsin in October 1844. Mr. Wakefield became interested in logging and real estate and acquired vast tracts of land in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the 1870s and 1880s. Together with various other capitalists he built sawmills and logged the pine forests of the area, and later became involved in mineral exploration. He was one of the parties who held interests in the mineral rights to the Sunday Lake mine, as well as a few nearby properties.

George M. Wakefield

Mr. Wakefield moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1879 and established a real estate business, dealing in timber and mineral lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, and Alaska. He was secretary-treasurer of the Ontonagon River Improvement and Boom Company, organized in 1880. They made it possible to float logs out to Lake Superior and built a sawmill on an island near the mouth of the Ontonagon river in Ontonagon, Michigan.[7]

The G. M. Wakefield Mineral Land Company was formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 18, 1899 for the purpose of dealing in mineral lands, timber, agricultural lands, and real estate. George M. Wakefield, his wife and their son Vernon T. Wakefield were the stockholders with a capital stock of $50,000 divided into 500 shares. Most of the land held was in Township 47 North, between Wakefield and Lake Gogebic. Mr. Wakefield was also a major stockholder in the Beacon, Continental, Cosmos, International, and Summit mineral land companies.

The Wakefield ancestry is traced back to John Wakefield, who was born about 1614, probably in Gravesend, County Kent, England and immigrated to Virginia aboard the "America" in June 1635, along with his brothers Richard Wakefield and Thomas Wakefield. John Wakefield eventually settled at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Incorporation

Wakefield was incorporated as a village by the Gogebic County Board of Supervisors on November 20, 1887. It became incorporated as a city in 1919.

Sunday Lake
Sunday Lake in Fall

Mining boom

The founding of Wakefield and much of its early history was based upon the discovery of iron ore[8] on the east end of Sunday Lake by George A. Fay in 1881. Upon its discovery several mining companies surged to the area and many mines opened. Many of the cities location names such as Plymouth, Pike, Castile, and Comet got their names from these iron mines. The first mines in Wakefield were the Sunday Lake, Iron Chief, and the Brotherton. According to the Gogebic Range Directory of 1888, the output of these mines in 1886 was as follows: Sunday Lake, 13,00 tons; Iron Chief, 9,584 tons, and the Brotherton, about 3,500 tons.[9]

Wakefield's iron mines include:[10]

Post-mining era

View from "Tank Hill"

After the closure of the Sunday Lake Mine[11] on February 16, 1961, the local economy shifted from one of mining to the forest industry, goods and services and tourism.[12][13]

Logging had been a mainstay of the local economy since the early 1900s. In 1941, the county embarked upon a county forest project to demonstrate that with selective cutting, under proper management, forests could be perpetuated, of increasing value and quality.[14] By 1956, the project included 45,604 acres (184.55 km2) out of the total of 703,102 acres (2,845.35 km2) in the county and Ottawa National Forest harvesting marked hardwoods, aspen, and conifer.[15] In support of the local lumber industry, many successful lumber, trucking, equipment sales, and logging businesses have existed in Wakefield and many continue to do so today. They all support the larger industries of lumber and plywood mills located in Gogebic County and outlying areas.

After the local mining jobs were lost, many in the community began providing goods and services, which included restaurants, food markets, bakery, bars, gas stations, hardware stores, drug stores and other commerce that supports the needs of the community.

With an average of 156–240 inches of annual snowfall, the city greatly benefits from winter tourism. Indianhead Mountain opened in 1959 and has grown to become a major tourist magnet in both winter and summer. Snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing trails, and ice fishing on Sunday Lake have also drawn many tourists to the city during the winter months. During the summer, hiking, camping, fishing, and on occasion American Power Boat Association boat races on Sunday Lake contribute to a growing local tourist industry. As a typical small town, many are drawn back to participate in the annual old-fashioned July 4 celebration. The week-long event includes softball tournaments, high school class reunions, homecoming church services, town picnic and concert at Eddy Park, a Sunday Lake run contest, Main Street parade, children's races, and fireworks display over Sunday Lake.[16]

2016 Storm

Severe storms struck the Gogebic Range during the late evening of July 11, 2016 and the early morning of July 12, 2016. The storm produced flash floods across the area and one confirmed EF0 tornado in nearby Bessemer Township. In particular, the city of Wakefield was struck with a thunderstorm with straight line winds around 90 MPH which downed numerous trees and power lines, turned over a camper trailer, and tore the roof off of a former ice rink along Sunday Lake. Following the storm, parts of the city remained without power for a considerable time before crews could restore power. [17]

Community

The old Wakefield City Hall at 311 Sunday Lake Street

City Hall

The City Hall is located at 509 Sunday Lake Street (Formerly the Father Daniel Hall). City departments include Water and Electric, Public Works, and Finance. The City Staff operate from the building and Department of Public Works garage which include:[18]

On September 17, 2014, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a one-year Lease with Option to Purchase Agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette for Father Daniel Hall (FDH). That fall the old City Hall closed and the City government moved into FDH. Plans to repair or replace the old City Hall had been discussed for decades. The boilers and some bathrooms were not functioning, the exterior required extensive tuck-pointing and repair, and the building did not meet ADA standards. Many of the offices were in need of rewiring and required structural repairs. Many of the other areas were no longer utilized. As conditions deteriorated the cost of keeping the doors open increased year after year. Conversely, FDH had seen significant improvements. In 2013, the roof was replaced, and the boilers are functioning. All of the rooms are on one floor, and the entrance is handicap accessible, offering access to all residents. The new City Hall, now called the municipal building, was purchased in October 2015 for $101,899 using general funds.

City Council

The City Council consists of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and three council members who are elected for two-year terms.[19]

City Commissions

Active commissions include:[20]

Devevelopment projects

Current projects are:[21]

Memorial Building

Old Memorial Building and Michigan State Police Post 87 from M-28 looking east.

Completed in 1924 on the south shore of Sunday Lake, the 52,000-square-foot (4,800 m2) Wakefield Memorial Building was the center of the community. At a cost of $400,000 it was dedicated to the youth who fought in World War I. It housed a banquet area, meeting rooms, an olympic size swimming pool, and a 1,200 seat movie theater with main floor and balcony seating. By the late 1950s after the local iron mines closed, the major tax base was lost and the city no longer had adequate funds to operate the Memorial Building. During the ensuing decades, other entities owned the building but little was done to sustain it. The harsh winters soon destroyed the roof and the building was soon structurally unsound and in a dilapidated state.

In July 2004, Marvin Suomi, a 1965 graduate of Wakefield High School purchased the Wakefield Memorial Building.[25] Headed by Mr. Suomi, the Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of constructing a new, smaller, energy efficient/sustainable building.[26] Federal and state funding were dependent upon a series of environmental reviews and assessments by both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.[27] The State Historic Preservation Office did not want the old building torn down[28] but after lengthy negotiations a consensus was reached by the project coordinator[29] and shortly thereafter the City Council approved the demolition.[30] By late spring 2010 the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office approved the archival records compiled of the memorial building and Wakefield City Hall. HUD then released $147,000 in federal funds that were used to pay for the demolition.[31] Demolition of the old Memorial Building began on July 6, 2010 and was complete on August 28, 2010.[32] Twelve stained-glass windows from the theater auditorium were salaved for restoration and use in the new building design. In July 2011 the City Council in conjunction with the Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation, decided to remove a roughly 9,600-square-foot (890 m2) theater from the plans for a 34,000-square-foot (3,200 m2) building.[33] The new building will function as a community center and house city offices, the city library, and a swimming pool. When the project is complete, the new building will be operated by the City and utilized by the entire community.[34] It is currently unknown if or when the project will proceed.

Education

Wakefield Public Library

The Wakefield Public Library was opened to the public on February 4, 1935. It was originally located on the second floor of the City Hall building on Sunday Lake Street. It is now located at 401 Hancock Street. The dream for the library dates back to Oct 17, 1934 when a group of local citizens concerned about the literary heritage of their community decided to take action. They felt that a measurement of the cultural concerns of a community could be made through the literary pursuits of its citizens. The city of Wakefield made its first appropriation of $1,000 to lay the groundwork of the fine community facility we enjoy today. The Wakefield Public Library serves the City and Township of Wakefield. With help from the "Friends of the Library" it has received some needed renovations. In 2005, the children's section was totally remodeled followed by the "teen section" in 2006.[37]

Public safety

Healthcare facilities & nursing homes

Religion

Community and Veterans Groups

Recreation and tourism

Media

Local newspapers and radio include:

Notable people

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.59 square miles (22.25 km2), of which 8.02 square miles (20.77 km2) is land and 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2) is water.[1]

Transportation

Major highways

Bus Service

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19001,191—
1910714−40.1%
19204,151481.4%
19303,677−11.4%
19403,591−2.3%
19503,344−6.9%
19603,231−3.4%
19702,757−14.7%
19802,591−6.0%
19902,318−10.5%
20002,085−10.1%
20101,851−11.2%
Est. 20151,725[48]−6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[49]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,851 people, 818 households, and 452 families residing in the city. The population density was 230.8 inhabitants per square mile (89.1/km2). There were 994 housing units at an average density of 123.9 per square mile (47.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.1% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 818 households of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.7% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.72.

The median age in the city was 50.1 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 30% were from 45 to 64; and 26.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,085 people, 883 households, and 535 families residing in the city. The population density was 261.5 per square mile (101.0/km²). There were 1,035 housing units at an average density of 129.8 per square mile (50.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.23% White, 0.48% Native American, 0.05% Asian, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.19% of the population.

There were 883 households out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the city the population was spread out with 16.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 30.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,368, and the median income for a family was $36,810. Males had a median income of $31,406 versus $21,278 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,036. About 6.3% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Population

The population peaked in 1920 with the mining boom and has been in steady decline since.[11][50]

1887 1888 1891 1893 1897 1901 1903 1905 1909 1910
300 2,320 1,000 700 407 1,191 1,000 1,500 1,300 700
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
4,151 3,677 3,591 3,367 3,231 2,757 2,591 2,318 2,085 1,851

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ Cox, Bruce K. (2010). Pioneers of Wakefield Michigan 1884–1900 (Fifth ed.). Agogeebic Press, LLC. pp. 330–331.
  7. ↑ "Gogibic County History". Ggogebic County Government. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  8. ↑ "The Iron Riches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula". michigan.gov/dnr/. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Gogibic County History". Ggogebic County Government. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  10. ↑ Cox, Headframes and Mine Shafts of the Gogebic Range, Volume 2 (2000)
  11. 1 2 "Early History of Wakefield" (PDF). gogebicbooks.com. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Gogebic County Economic Profiler". michigan.org. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Gogebic County Economy". michigan.org. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Our Heritage". gogebic.org. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  15. ↑ "The Gogebic County Forest System 1943–2008" (PDF). gogebic.org. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration" (PDF). City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Little Girls Point, Wakefield take brunt of storm in Gogebic County".
  18. ↑ "City of Wakefield City Staff". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  19. ↑ "City of Wakefield City Council". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  20. ↑ "City of Wakefield City Commissions". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  21. ↑ "City of Wakefield Development Projects". cityofwakefield.org. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Zone Characteristics". Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Michigan Renaissance Zones". North County Renaissance Zone. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Gogebic County Renaissance Zone". North County Renaissance Zone. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  25. ↑ "The Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation". Myefski Architechs, Inc. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  26. ↑ Juno, Jason (July 13, 2008). "Wakefield Memorial Building could impact area economy". Ironwood Daily Globe.
  27. ↑ "Memorial Building project on hold until spring". Ironwood Daily Globe. October 7, 2008.
  28. ↑ Levra, Margaret (February 6, 2009). "Historic hurdle". Ironwood Daily Globe.
  29. ↑ "Wakefield Memorial Building may be razed". Ironwood Daily Globe. December 21, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Wakefield moves closer to landmark demolition". Ironwood Daily Globe. December 29, 2009.
  31. ↑ "Two victories for Memorial Building demolition". Ironwood Daily Globe. May 11, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Last stand for Wakefield Memorial Building". Ironwood Daily Globe. July 7, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Council scales back Wakefield Memorial Building project". Ironwood Daily Globe. July 12, 2011.
  34. ↑ "The Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation Updates". The Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Wakefield-Marenisco School District". Wakefield.k12.mi.us. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  36. ↑ "City of Wakefield Wakefield-Marenisco School District". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Wakefield Public Library". libwebcats. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Michigan State Police". Michigan.gov. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  39. ↑ "Gogebic Medical Care Facility". gogebicmedicalcare.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  40. ↑ "Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority". gccmh.org. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  41. ↑ "Keenagers Corporation". Keenagers Coorporation. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  42. ↑ "City of Wakefield Housing Commission". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  43. ↑ "City of Wakefield Senior Citizen Center". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Wakefield Historical Society". Wakefield Historical Society. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  45. 1 2 3 "City of Wakefield Parks and Recreation". City of Wakefield. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  46. ↑ Cox, Bruce K. (2010). Pioneers of Wakefield Michigan 1884–1900 (Fifth ed.). Agogeebic Press, LLC. p. 62.
  47. ↑ "ST. IGNACE-SAULT STE. MARIE-IRONWOOD" (PDF). Indian Trails. January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  48. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Gogebic County Census Data". gogebic.org. Retrieved February 27, 2011.

Books

Coordinates: 46°28′31″N 89°56′24″W / 46.47528°N 89.94000°W / 46.47528; -89.94000

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