Houghton County

Population:37,361 (2nd)
Pop. Density:36.92 people/sq. mile (1st)
Land Area:1,012 sq. miles (10th)
Water Area:490 sq. miles (10th)
County Seat:Houghton
Towns:Atlantic Mine, Calumet, Chassell, Dollar Bay, Hancock, Houghton, Hubbell, Lake Linden, Laurium, Nisula, Painesdale, Sidnaw, South Range, Toivola
Comedian John Oliver Recalls Visit to Houghton in Stand-up Routine

Comedian John Oliver Recalls Visit to Houghton in Stand-up Routine

In February 2010, British comedian John Oliver (known for his role as Ian Duncan in Community and appearances on The Daily Show), performed at the Rozsa Center at Michigan Tech during Winter Carnival. In one of his recent stand-up acts he recalls his visit to the Upper Peninsula. Leave a comment bel... Read more

Population and Geography of the Upper Peninsula

Population and Geography of the Upper Peninsula

320,000 People Approximately 3% of the Michigan Approximately 0.1% of the United States Population density of 19 people/sq. mile 10 Largest Cities Marquette (~19,661 people) Sault Ste. Marie (16,542) Escanaba (13,140) Menominee (9,131) Iron Mountain (8,154) Houghton (7,134) Ishpeming (6,535) Ironwoo... Read more

Celebrating 100 Years of Hockey at the Calumet Colosseum

Celebrating 100 Years of Hockey at the Calumet Colosseum

There are few rivalries in sports that date back as far as the Calumet Wolverines and Portage Lake Pioneers. The claim has been made that it’s the oldest rivalry in hockey, and we’re sticking to that belief. That rivalry is so old that it existed before there was a place to play hockey indoors. Loca... Read more

100 Years Ago, The Italian Hall Disaster

100 Years Ago, The Italian Hall Disaster

This post was contributed by Lucy Hough, a freelance writer from Marquette. She’s also a master’s student at NMU. You can follow her on Twitter at @yes_lucy. Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech archives. From an early age, we learn that to needlessly yell “Fire!” in a public space is dangerous, and, mor... Read more

Ken Block vs. The Keweenaw Peninsula

Ken Block vs. The Keweenaw Peninsula

This video shows highlights of Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino testing in the Upper Peninsula leading up to this weekends annual Lake Superior Performance Rally. The race kicks off today and goes through the weekend. If you’re looking for an adventure get out there and watch. Cheer on for Keweenaw loca... Read more

History of the Miner's Cup, the Annual MTU/NMU Football Game

History of the Miner's Cup, the Annual MTU/NMU Football Game

Since 2002 Northern Michigan University and Michigan Tech University have battled for the Miner’s Cup Trophy, awarded to the annual winner of the historic Upper Peninsula football rivalry. Michigan Tech won the inaugural Miner’s Cup in 2002 and currently holds an 9-3 record over Northern Michigan. T... Read more

11 Photos: Why the Upper Peninsula is the Cooler Peninsula

11 Photos: Why the Upper Peninsula is the Cooler Peninsula

The Upper Peninsula is the cooler peninsula. It cannot be argued, it is embedded in the factual temperatures recorded by the National Weather Service for more than one hundred years. So we all know it’s literal, but is it figurative? Of course we’re a little biased at Yooper Steez, but we’d love to ... Read more

FinnFest USA 2013 Begins Today

FinnFest USA 2013 Begins Today

There are a lot of reasons why the FinnFest USA 2013 organizing committee started planning three years ago. The 5-day event which takes place in the Copper Country from June 19-23 is more than just a fun celebration. It’s a cultural phenomenon, it’s a lifeline and it’s coming home, for some. That’s ... Read more

Vintage-Like Portage Canal

Vintage-Like Portage Canal

The Portage Canal is somewhere I’ve driven past hundreds of times in my life, but never have I seen it like this. This snow falling in the photo gives it a second effect of it being a grainy photo, adding that to the tone gives it a fantastic vintage look as if this photo was taken in the early 1900... Read more

Celebrating the Houghton & Hancock Bridgefest

Celebrating the Houghton & Hancock Bridgefest

This weekend is the annual Bridgefest in Houghton and Hancock. We thought there would be no better way to celebrate than sharing 13 (after all it is Friday the 13th) stunning photos of the historic Portage Canal Lift Bridge joining the cities of Houghton and Hancock. Enjoy. [Photo by Moron958](http:... Read more