Iron County

Population:11,631 (8th)
Pop. Density:9.89 people/sq. mile (9th)
Land Area:1,176 sq. miles (5th)
Water Area:45 sq. miles (14th)
County Seat:Crystal Falls
Towns:Amasa, Caspian, Crystal Falls, Gaastra, Iron River, Stambaugh
Everything You Need to Know About Area Code 906

Everything You Need to Know About Area Code 906

Just in case you didn’t know, 906 is the only area code for the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition, 906 is the largest area code in Michigan. On March 19th, 1961, area code 906 was created as a split from what was then area code 616. Currently, according to Wikipedia, the area code is n... Read more

Know your Upper Peninsula Highways

Know your Upper Peninsula Highways

The Upper Peninsula is full of unique roadways offering scenic views. Some sections are straight as an arrow (lookin’ at you Seney Stretch), one is the longest state highway in Michigan, another is the only state highway in the United States not to allow cars (I’m sure you can guess which). It’s als... Read more

An (almost) Complete History of Michigan–Ok, Mostly the Upper Peninsula

An (almost) Complete History of Michigan–Ok, Mostly the Upper Peninsula

Today is Michigan’s 186th birthday! To celebrate we’re giving a bit of history lesson. We hope you’ll learn as much we did putting this together. We’ve compiled highlights from every year since Michigan’s admittance into statehood in 1837. But as we know, this just a small piece of Michigan’s ... Read more

Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in the Upper Peninsula

Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in the Upper Peninsula

All of the events below have been provided by michiganfireworks.com which has done an awesome job of gathering information on all the fireworks shows across Michigan. There are over 25 fireworks shows scheduled in the Upper Peninsula over the 4th of July and throughout the summer. We sorted them by ... Read more

Every 2018 Winter Olympian with Michigan Connections

Every 2018 Winter Olympian with Michigan Connections

There are 2,920 athletes from 92 countries participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Of those, 242 athletes are representing the United States of America across fifteen sports. Thirteen of those athletes were either born in Michigan or went to university in Michigan. And... Read more

Peter Peterson and the Iron River Meteorite (and other U.P. stories)

Peter Peterson and the Iron River Meteorite (and other U.P. stories)

Two wrongs may make a right, but two meteor_wrongs_ certainly don’t make a meteo_rite_. And here’s why. Well, first — let’s rewind. To one day in 1889 when a six-year old boy named Peter Peterson (yes, this was actually his name) was helping his father clear rocks from a field near Iron River. Thing... 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

2010 NCAA Final Four court made in Amasa

2010 NCAA Final Four court made in Amasa

A truck carries the maple court made for the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament. The floor was made in Connor Sport Court International’s plant in Amasa, Mich., and was en route to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. A banner hung on the truck is signed by employees who worked on the floor... Read more

Final Four Basketball Floor, Made in the Upper Peninsula

Final Four Basketball Floor, Made in the Upper Peninsula

During her weekly radio address Governor Jennifer Granholm made this statement. I was planning to write up a small piece myself, but Governor Granholm already did a much better job than I could have. It’s incredible how many unique products come out of the Upper Peninsula. This is Governor Jennifer ... Read more