Munising in Alger County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Munising Public Dock
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2011
1. Munising Public Dock Marker
With the discovery of iron ore in Marquette County in 1844 and the opening of the Sault Locks in 1855, commerce and travel boomed on Lake Superior. Munising served not only as a port, but also as a harbor of refuge during storms. The first Munising dock was constructed of wood and included a rail line for unloading coal.
This exhibit was made possible through a donation from the Brumm family, the City of Munising, and the National Park Service.
Erected by Brumm family; the City of Munising; and the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 46° 24.78′ N, 86° 39.225′ W. Marker is in Munising, Michigan, in Alger County. It can be reached from Elm Avenue 0.1 miles north of East Munising Avenue (State Highway 28), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the north end of Elm Avenue, near the northwest corner of Binsfeld Bayshore Park, overlooking the subject public docks. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and on Lake Superiors South Shore Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Shipwrecks of the Alger Underwater Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Alger County All Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); S.S. Kiowa Wreck (approx. 0.2 miles away); Russell A. Alger (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Memory of the Men and Women of Alger County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Munising Falls (approx. 1.6 miles away); Location is Everything! (approx. 3.2 miles away); Whats Old? Whats New? (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Munising.
Courtesy Alger County Historical Society
2. Marker detail: The dock was completed on June 30, 1939 and dedicated on the 4th of July
The wooden merchandise dock had fallen into disrepair by the 1930's, setting the stage for new construction. Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. donated 900 feet of frontage east of Elm Avenue. The Public Works Act provided $32,727 of the total cost of $63,000 for the new dock. Work began on December 12, 1938 under the direction of Leonard W. Brumm.
Courtesy Alger County Historical Society
3. Marker detail: The Beach Inn
Built in 1902, the stately Beach Inn was the premier hotel in Munising serving motorized and boating tourists. The Inn burned on Valentines Day, 1951.
Courtesy Alger County Historical Society
4. Marker detail: Contractor L.W. Brumm is shown talking with the project foreman
Brumm's Marquette firm was awarded the contract because he knew how to build the dock through the winter ice. Several local men worked on the project.
Courtesy Alger County Historical Society
5. Marker detail: The "South American" at the dock
The weekly arrival of the "South American" was a special event for Munising. The High School Band marched to meet the ship and its passengers in the 1960's.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2011
6. Munising Public Dock Marker wide view
(dock, boats & Munising Bay in background)
(dock, boats & Munising Bay in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 9, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
