Manistique, Michigan

Colonial Hotel ($110)

Manistique, Michigan

August 22, 2024

730 PM

Manistique (/mænɪsˈtik/ man-iss-TEEK) is the only city and county seat of Schoolcraft County in Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 2,828.

The city borders the adjacent Manistique Township, but the two are administered independently. The city lies on the north shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manistique River, which forms a natural harbor that has been improved with breakwaters, dredging, and the Manistique East Breakwater Light. The city is named after the river.[6] The economy depends heavily on tourism from Lake Michigan, as well as nearby Indian Lake State Park and Palms Book State Park.

Nickname

Manistique is nicknamed "The Emerald City." It is believed to be named for the emerald green waters of the nearby Kitch-iti-kipi spring, the largest spring in the state of Michigan. The Manistique Area Schools athletic teams are referred to as the "Emeralds." Several local businesses include "Emerald City" in their names.

History

Originally named Eastport, Manistique replaced Onota as the county seat.[7] Eastport was the name of the post office, but was not used for the community.[8] Manistique was incorporated as a village in 1883[8] and as a city in 1901 by the state legislature. With the river originally spelled Monistique, a spelling error in the city charter led to its current spelling.