Heritage Sites in Baraga County

Baraga County’s unique and interesting history can be explored at numerous historical sites and museums throughout the county. We’ve compiled a heritage tour that will appeal to all ages and interests. Stop by at the Baraga County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 755 Broad St, L’Anse, for updated information and maps.

Huron Island Lighthouse Constructed in 1868 on Huron Island to guide vessels from Marquette, through Pequaming, into the L’Anse and Baraga ports, or the Portage Canal and Isle Royale. Walkways have been built by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Huron Island Lighthouse Preservation Association is restoring the structure. The lighthouse, accessible only by water, is located approximately 5 miles off shore from the mouth of the Huron River and is built on jagged, rocky knolls.

Aura Community Town Hall Home of the famous Aura Jamboree the 3rd weekend in July. The association promotes strong local traditions focusing on ethnic folk music programs and community arts. For more information call 906-524-7842. From the 4-way stop in downtown L’Anse, turn right on Main Street, which becomes Skanee Road; continue on for 10 miles to Townline Road, turn left and go 3 miles to the hall.

Arvon Township Historical Society The museum is located in the former parsonage of the oldest Zion Lutheran Church in Michigan built in 1909. Features displays of artifacts portraying time from 1871 to early 1900s. It is currently being restored. From June - August open on Saturdays from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Call Mary Erickson at 906-524-7689 for appointments. From the 4-way stop in downtown L’Anse, turn right on Main Street, which becomes Skanee Road. Go 13 miles to the museum.

Historic Zeba Indian Mission-United Methodist Church

The Methodist Mission was established in 1832 by John

“Shawundais” Sunday, who also fought in the War of 1812 and is the oldest missionary church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is listed as a Michigan Historic Site and on the National Register of Historic Places. The outdoor chapel was built in 1924 where the “Camp Meetings” have been held annually since the 1880s and were also held in Pequaming. Historic Zeba is located halfway between L’Anse and Pequaming. Zeba means “Little River or Stream.” Once a post for the Hudson Bay Fur Company, it was also here that the Pines Casino opened in 1983. On the southeast corner of Whirl-I-Gig and Zeba Roads. Take Main Street/Skanee north out of L’Anse and after about 2.9 miles, bear left on Whirl-I-Gig until you come to Zeba Road on your right. Plenty of streetside parking.

Baraga County Historic Courthouse Building Constructed in 1891. Now houses probate, circuit and district courts, and county departments. Local photography is on display. For information call 906-524-6300. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 16 N. 3rd Street, downtown L’Anse.

Herman Historical Society Herman Hall is a historical building constructed in 1931 by members of a Finish Amateur Athletic Society. The hall has been recognized by historians in Finland and in the U.S. as one of the best surviving “Fin Halls” in the country. The society maintains Herman Hall for community promotion and preservation of local cultural heritage. Herman Road is located 2 miles south of L’Anse on US-41. Take Herman Road 5 miles to the top of the hill.

Alberta Village Museum Henry Ford built this picturesque village in 1936 as a model sawmill town and self-sufficient rural community. The site is along the Plumbago Creek, which he dammed forming Lake Plumbago to provide water for the mill and recreation area. You can relive the Ford dream and learn about many other Ford venues. The public can tour June to the end of the color season in October. Call 906-524-6181 for more information. US-41, about 8 miles south of Visitors Center.

Covington Historical Society The museum is open to the public June through August, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more in- formation, call 906-355-2174. Located on Elm Street in downtown Covington. M28 and US-141.

Covington Parks & Recreation The new pavilion and recreational area is the site of the Finish Music Festival, held every 4th of July. It also hosts other annual festivals. Food, beverages and fireworks. For event information: (906) 355-2174. Located on M-28 just a few short miles west of Covington.

Bethany Lutheran Church Painting done in cryptic, also stained-glass windows and woodcarvings. Artwork directed by Forsberg curator of Chicago Art Institute. Shown upon request. 906-355-2326. US-141, Covington, south on M-28.

Historic Covington School – Artist Market The Historic Covington School is located at the junction of M-28 and US-41, (four miles from the M-28/US-41 junction). Quiet grounds with RV parking, picnic tables, and a playground. You will have room to stretch and relax in a sunny or tree shade area. All of this in addition to a unique shopping experience. Open May-Oct Fri thru Sunday 906-355-2727.

Baraga County Convention & Visitors Bureau Information center for Baraga County. Stop in for more information on historical sites. Promoting tourism in Baraga County all seasons of the year. 906-524-7444. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Located at US-41 and E. Broad St., By the “Welcome to L’Anse” sign in L’Anse.

Bishop Baraga Shrine Visit the shrine of Bishop Baraga, the “Snowshoe Priest.” This historic, nondenominational shrine rises some six stories above the Red Rocks Bluff. It offers breathtaking views of Keweenaw Bay. Site holds a 7 ft. high cross and snowshoes 26 ft. long built of native bronze and weighs 4 tons. Floats on clouds of stainless steel supported by five laminated wood beams representing Bishop Baraga’s major mission. A gift shop features locally crafted souvenirs and a snack shop. For more information: 906-353-7779. Located 1 mile north of L’Anse on Lambert Road on the head of the Bay.

Baraga County Historical Society Museum Features include many exhibits from Baraga County including a lumber camp of the 1800s, impressive mineral rock collections, war veteran and Indian displays. Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 11 Ojibwa Pow Wow & Campgrounds The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community holds its annual Pow Wow the fourth weekend in July. Traditional stories and ground blessing are held mid-week and the dancers and drummers begin procession of the Grand Entry on Friday evening at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Camping is available spring to winter and it’s open to the public. Call 906353- 6955. US-41 North, Baraga.

Father Baraga’s Historical Mission & Native Genealogy Center To preserve historical sites, artifacts and spiritual traditions of Christian Native Americans of the surrounding area. Scenic hiking trail. Native Catholic Church and cemetery, one-room schoolhouse, native genealogy center, orphanage, and site of Bishop Baraga’s last mission. Assinins, US-41, 2.4 miles north of Baraga, MI.

Assinins Cemetery As far as anyone can remember, the burial ground has been here. The Ojibwa Nation was casting its nets in Keweenaw Bay near Assinins in the 1600s. At the time of death, the deceased would be dressed in their finest clothing and their body removed from their wigwam or house from a westerly window. A Feast of the Dead is celebrated each year during the spring. Visitors are welcomed from sunrise to sunset. Located just north of Assinins on US-41.

Hanka Finnish Homestead A self-sufficient, 1920’s Finnish farm featuring a sauna, black- smith shop, complex of barns, and self-cooling millhouse. It’s one of the few and maybe only historical farms in Michigan that has been restored on its original site. This site is on the National Register of Historical Places and is a stop on the Western UP Heritage Trail. Hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day inclusive. For information call 906-334-2601. Travel 10 miles north of Baraga on US-41 and turn left on Arnheim Road and go 6 more miles. www.hankahomesteadmuseum.org.

Pelkie One-Room Schoolhouse Historic, restored one-room school house built in 1907. Served as a school unit until 1932. Here you can sit at a desk and imagine what school was like in a bygone era. Hours: Sundays from 11 a.m.—4 p.m. during the summer months. For information call 906-535-6709. Take M-38 west from Baraga for 7 miles to Pelkie Road, turn right, go 3 miles to Mantila Rd., corner of Pelkie Rd. and Mantila Rd., in Pelkie.

Sand Point Lighthouse The Sand Point Light Station was established in 1878 near Baraga on the shore of Lake Superior. The naturally protected harbor of L’Anse Bay served the iron and lumber industries of the Upper Peninsula and the establishment of lighthouses served in the important shipping industry. After many years of active use, the light station passed into private ownership and became the property of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in December of 1993. No tours are available but taking pictures is welcomed.