St. Ignace, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Saint Ignace, usually written as St. Ignace, is a city in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,678. It is the county seat
of Mackinac County
. From the Lower Peninsula, St. Ignace is the gateway to the Upper Peninsula.
St. Ignace Township
is located just to the north of the city, but is politically independent.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
, St. Ignace is at northern end of the Mackinac Bridge
and Mackinaw City is to its south. The bridge connects the Lower and the Upper Peninsulas
of Michigan
.
St. Ignace is one of the oldest cities founded by Europe
ans in Michigan. Before French
contact, Native Americans
had inhabited the area for centuries. Historic peoples here were the Iroquoian-speaking Wendat
, whom the French called the Huron and, dominating the area by the 18th century, the Anishinaabe
Ojibwe.
French explorer and priest
Jacques Marquette
founded the St. Ignace Mission
on this site in 1671 and was buried there after his death. He named it for St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. (Ignace is the French
version of Ignatius.) Jesuits worked at the missions to convert First Nations
/Native Americans
to Catholicism
and share French culture.
While exploring the region on the ship Le Griffon
with Louis Hennepin
, La Salle reached St. Ignace on August 27, 1679. The Jesuits abandoned the mission in 1705. The Ojibwe, who came to dominate most of the territory of present-day Michigan in the 18th century among Native Americans, were allies of the French in the Seven Years War.
After the English victory in the Seven Years War, in 1763 they took over this territory of the former New France
. After the victory of rebellious colonists in the American Revolutionary War
, in 1783 the village became part of the new United States, as part of its territory. Originally an important fur trading site in early years of French colonization, St. Ignace declined in importance by the early 19th century with changes in ruling classes and the regional economy.
The Americans and British-Canadians operated a larger trading center at Sault Ste. Marie
, on both sides of the northern border, until the decline of the fur trade in the 1830s. The fur trade was severely reduced before and during hostilities of the War of 1812
, as the United States prohibited British traders from operating across the border, as had been their earlier practice. The Ojibwe allied with the British during the War of 1812.
In 1882, St. Ignace was given new life by the coming of the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad
, which connected the straits area to the major city of Detroit. It was incorporated as a village on February 23, 1882, and as a city in 1883. Later the city has become a rural destination for heritage tourism
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 2.7 square miles (7 km²) of it is land and 0.37% is water.
was 990.7 per square mile (383.0/km²). There were 1,232 housing units at an average density of 455.8 per square mile (176.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.81% White, 19.42% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.30% African American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races
, and 7.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
There were 1,085 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,447, and the median income for a family was $45,893. Males had a median income of $29,813 versus $23,017 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,340. About 6.0% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
.
Castle Rock
, a geological limestone
stack
, is located three miles (5 km) north overlooking Lake Huron
. Rabbit's Back
, a prominent promontory that also overlooks Lake Huron, is 4 miles (6.4 km) north.
Also featuring Kewadin Casinos - St. Ignace.
There are numerous civic events in St. Ignace.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,678. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Mackinac County
Mackinac County, Michigan
-Local Airports:*Mackinac County Airport *Mackinac Island Airport -Airline service:The nearest airports with scheduled passenger service are:*Chippewa County International Airport in Sault Ste...
. From the Lower Peninsula, St. Ignace is the gateway to the Upper Peninsula.
St. Ignace Township
St. Ignace Township, Michigan
St. Ignace Township is a civil township of Mackinac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,024. The city of St. Ignace is located in adjacent Moran Township, Michigan.-Transportation:...
is located just to the north of the city, but is politically independent.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
, St. Ignace is at northern end of the Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages...
and Mackinaw City is to its south. The bridge connects the Lower and the Upper Peninsulas
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
History
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
ans in Michigan. Before French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
contact, Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
had inhabited the area for centuries. Historic peoples here were the Iroquoian-speaking Wendat
Wyandot language
Wyandot is the Iroquoian language traditionally spoken by the people known variously as Wyandot, Wyandotte, Wendat, or Huron. It was last spoken primarily in Oklahoma and Quebec...
, whom the French called the Huron and, dominating the area by the 18th century, the Anishinaabe
Anishinaabe
Anishinaabe or Anishinabe—or more properly Anishinaabeg or Anishinabek, which is the plural form of the word—is the autonym often used by the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Algonquin peoples. They all speak closely related Anishinaabemowin/Anishinaabe languages, of the Algonquian language family.The meaning...
Ojibwe.
French explorer and priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
Jacques Marquette
Jacques Marquette
Father Jacques Marquette S.J. , sometimes known as Père Marquette, was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan...
founded the St. Ignace Mission
St. Ignace Mission
St. Ignace Mission is now a municipal park known as Marquette Mission Park. It was the site of a mission established by Père Jacques Marquette, and the site of his grave in 1677. A second mission was established at a different site in 1837, and moved here in 1954.It was one of the earliest...
on this site in 1671 and was buried there after his death. He named it for St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. (Ignace is the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
version of Ignatius.) Jesuits worked at the missions to convert First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
/Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
and share French culture.
While exploring the region on the ship Le Griffon
Le Griffon
Le Griffon was a 17th century sailing ship built by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in his quest to find the Northwest Passage to China and Japan....
with Louis Hennepin
Louis Hennepin
Father Louis Hennepin, O.F.M. baptized Antoine, was a Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Recollect order and an explorer of the interior of North America....
, La Salle reached St. Ignace on August 27, 1679. The Jesuits abandoned the mission in 1705. The Ojibwe, who came to dominate most of the territory of present-day Michigan in the 18th century among Native Americans, were allies of the French in the Seven Years War.
After the English victory in the Seven Years War, in 1763 they took over this territory of the former New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
. After the victory of rebellious colonists in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, in 1783 the village became part of the new United States, as part of its territory. Originally an important fur trading site in early years of French colonization, St. Ignace declined in importance by the early 19th century with changes in ruling classes and the regional economy.
The Americans and British-Canadians operated a larger trading center at Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie may refer to:* Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario , a Canadian city** Sault Ste. Marie , a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada...
, on both sides of the northern border, until the decline of the fur trade in the 1830s. The fur trade was severely reduced before and during hostilities of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, as the United States prohibited British traders from operating across the border, as had been their earlier practice. The Ojibwe allied with the British during the War of 1812.
In 1882, St. Ignace was given new life by the coming of the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad
Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad
The Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad was a land grant railroad that was built and operated briefly in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Incorporated in 1879, the -long railroad began operations in 1881. It was intended to help the economic development of a region of...
, which connected the straits area to the major city of Detroit. It was incorporated as a village on February 23, 1882, and as a city in 1883. Later the city has become a rural destination for heritage tourism
Heritage tourism
Cultural heritage tourism is a branch of tourism oriented towards the cultural heritage of the location where tourism is occurring...
.
Geography
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 2.7 square miles (7 km²) of it is land and 0.37% is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,678 people, 1,085 households, and 675 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 990.7 per square mile (383.0/km²). There were 1,232 housing units at an average density of 455.8 per square mile (176.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.81% White, 19.42% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.30% African American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 7.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
There were 1,085 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,447, and the median income for a family was $45,893. Males had a median income of $29,813 versus $23,017 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,340. About 6.0% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
I-75Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
routes over the Mackinac Bridge and through St. Ignace. Southbound I-75 takes drivers to the Lower Peninsula. Northbound the freeway heads toward Sault Ste. MarieSault Ste. Marie, MichiganSault Ste. Marie is a city in and the county seat of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north-eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River...
and CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
I-75 Business Loop St. Ignace. Follows the route of old US 2.
Eastbound US-2U.S. Route 2U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
ends at St. Ignace and I-75. Westbound US 2 traverses a scenic stretch along Lake Michigan, toward ManistiqueManistique, MichiganManistique is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,583. It is the county seat of Schoolcraft County and the only incorporated community in the county. The city lies on the north shore of Lake Michigan, at the southwest corner...
and EscanabaEscanaba, MichiganEscanaba is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in the banana belt on the state's Upper Peninsula. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 13,140, making it the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie...
.
M-123M-123 (Michigan highway)M-123 is a state trunkline highway in the eastern Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is one of only a few highways in Michigan that curve around and form a U-shape. In fact, M-123 has three intersections with only two state trunklines. It meets M-28 twice as a result of its U-shaped...
starts a few miles north of St. Ignace and heads north into Tahquamenon Falls State ParkTahquamenon Falls State ParkThe Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a 46,179-acre state park in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the second largest of Michigan's state parks. Bordering on Lake Superior, most of the park is located within Whitefish Township in Chippewa County, with the western section of the park extending...
and eventually to NewberryNewberryNewberry is a surname, a variant of Newbury .- People :* Claude Newberry , South African cricketer* George Newberry , British track cyclist* Hazel Newberry, British dancer* Janet Newberry , American tennis player...
.-
H-63H-63 (Michigan county highway)H-63 is a county-designated highway in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that follows along the Interstate 75 corridor between St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie. The road is known as the Mackinac Trail, named for an Indian trail used before European settlers reached the area...
, also known as Mackinac Trail,is a north-south route traveling along the former route of US-2 from just north of St. Ignace to Sault Ste. MarieSault Ste. Marie, MichiganSault Ste. Marie is a city in and the county seat of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north-eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River...
.
- Three ferry companies (Arnold Transit CompanyArnold Transit CompanyArnold Transit Company is the longest running ferry boat company serving Mackinac Island in Michigan. Also known as "Arnold Line," the company has docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, in addition to the docks on the island...
, Shepler's FerryShepler's FerryShepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is one of three ferry companies serving Mackinac Island, Michigan. They have docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.-Fleet:...
and Star Line FerryStar Line FerryStar Line Ferry is the newest ferry boat company serving Mackinac Island in Michigan. They currently run the most daily departures to Mackinac Island.-History:...
) operate out of Saint Ignace, connecting tourists and commuters to Mackinac IslandMackinac IslandMackinac Island is an island and resort area covering in land area, part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was home to a Native American settlement before European...
. - The nearest airports with scheduled passenger service are in Chippewa County International AirportChippewa County International AirportChippewa County International Airport is a public use airport in Chippewa County, Michigan, United States. It is located 15 nautical miles south of the central business district of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The airport is owned by the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation...
in KinrossKinrossKinross is a burgh in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It was formerly the county town of Kinross-shire.Kinross is a fairly small town, with some attractive buildings...
(northeast of St. Ignace, adjacent to I-75) and Pellston Regional AirportPellston Regional AirportPellston Regional Airport , also known as Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County, is a public airport located one mile northwest of the central business district of Pellston, a village in Emmet County, Michigan, United States....
in the Lower peninsula.
Local sights and events
St. Ignace contains many locations from where one can get a good look at the Mackinac BridgeMackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages...
.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock (Michigan)
Castle Rock is a geological limestone stack and tourist attraction located 3 miles north of St. Ignace, Michigan on Interstate 75 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.-Description:...
, a geological limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
stack
Stack (geology)
A stack is a geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, isolated by erosion. Stacks are formed through processes of coastal geomorphology, which are entirely natural. Time, wind and water are the only factors involved in the...
, is located three miles (5 km) north overlooking Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
. Rabbit's Back
Rabbit's Back
Rabbit's Back, also called Rabbit Back, is an elevated promontory that extends eastward into Lake Huron. It is located 4 miles north of St. Ignace in the U.S. state of Michigan....
, a prominent promontory that also overlooks Lake Huron, is 4 miles (6.4 km) north.
Also featuring Kewadin Casinos - St. Ignace.
There are numerous civic events in St. Ignace.