Marquette in Marquette County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Picnic Rocks Memorial

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

1. Picnic Rocks Memorial

Inscription. In these calm but treacherous waters of Lake Superior sixteen lives have been lost since 1961. This memorial serves to honor those lives and the lives of the ones before them. Through this knowledge from this day forward may no more lives be lost. ———————
"WHEN IN DOUBT DO NOT GO OUT."

In loving memory of
Toni Copeland
Mike Nunnally
Cassiano Huckabee

Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.

Location. 46° 33.295′ N, 87° 22.957′ W. Marker is in Marquette, Michigan, in Marquette County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Lakeshore Boulevard and Picnic Rocks Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in Shiras Park, overlooking Picnic Rocks Beach and Lake Superior. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 North Lakeshore Boulevard, Marquette MI 49855, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is on Michigan’s

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Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s 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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Shiras III (within shouting distance of this marker); Northern's Original Campus (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War II "Silent Service" Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Barracks Boys (approx. 0.9 miles away); In Memory of NMU War Veterans (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Steam Railroad in Upper Peninsula (approx. 0.9 miles away); Northern Michigan University (approx. 0.9 miles away); Marquette Fire Department (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marquette.

Also see . . .
1. Teens drown in Lake Superior (SOOTODAY.com). Excerpt:

(by David Helwig, 10/3/2005) Two 18-year-old students drowned yesterday in Lake Superior near Marquette, Michigan
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

2. Picnic Rocks Memorial
as dozens of people watched helplessly from a nearby beach. Toni Alicia Copeland of McDonough, New York was attending Marquette High School and also trained as a wrestler at the Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University. Cassiano Huckabee from Chicago was enrolled at Northern Michigan University. A U.S. Coast Guard official reported that the two appeared to have been swept off a sand bar by winds gusting to more than 20 miles an hour. They were pulled under by a crosscurrent and their bodies were found about 150 feet offshore from the Picnic Rocks. Olympic boxer Michael Nunnally drowned while body surfing not far away in 1996.

(Submitted on January 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Turning the tide (Environmental Monitor). Excerpt:

(By Kelly Blumenschein, 9/22/2011) The waters off Picnic Rocks Beach in Lake Superior have caused more than a dozen deaths in the last 30 years, according to Assistant City Manager Karl Zueger. Swimming is discouraged, and the beach is not patrolled by lifeguards, but the water is deceiving, especially in nice weather. The current at Picnic Rocks Beach
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

3. Picnic Rocks Memorial Sponsors
Marquette Senior Class of 2006
U.S. Olympic Education Center
USOEC Boxing Program
KPMG LLP
Cook Sign Services
FRACO, Inc.
Bricklayers & Allied Craft Workers, Local 6 of Michigan
OBERSTAR, Inc.
Gasperott Concrete, Inc.
Northern Michigan University Constructors
Earl Senchuk
is called a long shore current, a unique subset of rip currents that run parallel to shore rather than perpendicular. Rip currents, also known as rip tides, occur as a result of the interaction between several factors, including: wave height, direction, other waves, currents and changes in water levels. These factors create an uneven distribution and buildup of water along the coastline, which propels the water back out to sea at high velocities. At these speeds, a rip current can pull even the strongest swimmers away from shore or into a hazardous area. Nationally, rip currents are estimated to kill over 100 people each year and account for 80% of beach rescues.

(Submitted on January 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

4. Picnic Rocks Memorial

Shiras Park Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

5. Shiras Park Entrance

Turn east from Lakeshore Boulevard to access memorial.

Picnic Rocks Beach image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

6. Picnic Rocks Beach

Looking northeast across Lake Superior from near the memorial.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 941 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.