Munising

Munising is located in the South Bay of Grand Island Harbor along the southern coastline of Lake Superior.  It is the county seat for Alger County.

The name "Munising" is derived from the Chippewa word "Minnising," meaning "Place of the Great Island," referring to Grand Island, which can be seen in the harbor.  In 1820 the Chippewa village was located at the mouth of the Anna River, later moved to Sand Point.  History shows that many travelers and early explorers visited the area.  Munising was actually founded by white men in 1850 but development was slow because of the area's isolation.  Up until 1855 the Chippewa Indians had reservations on Grand Island and in the Munising area.

Settlement began around 1855 when the Munising Iron Company bought land and platted the village, first as "Old Munising," and later as "East Munising," with a post office opening in 1868. When the Company failed in 1873, the post office was opened and closed several times.

In 1894, businessman Timothy Nestor took a trip with Captain Taylor who ran an excursion boat named City of Munising, to Munising Bay, and while there he explored the area.  Nester and his associates saw the development potential for the struggling town.  In 1895, he hired men and work started on the city now known as Munising.  It began to grow.  In 1896, a post office was established for the (then current) population of 500. 

In May 1896, the village of Munising was incorporated. Thomas G. Sullivan, an early settler, was the first mayor of after its incorporation and the namesake of Sullivan's Landing, Sullivan Creek and Sullivan Lake.  The new community grew rapidly and within one year after the first tree was cut, the population jumped to 3,500. Docks, sawmills and a tannery were built and a newspaper was printed. The Courthouse was moved from Au Train to Munising in 1901. The town survived the iron and lumber booms due to its location to the scenic lake shore. It was organized as a city in 1915.  A fire hall and a city dock were completed in 1938.

The City of Munising at the present time has a population of 2,806 with ten churches, one high school, one middle school, one elementary and two church schools.  The city has a city park, tennis courts, golf course, Heritage Center and Museum.  Senior citizens have their own center. 

Munising Memorial Hospital is equipped with 40 beds.  In addition, Munising now has a rest home, the Superior Health Haven.