​If you are looking to visit the West End of Marquette County, you’re probably already aware of the fact that this is not an urban metropolis sprawling with people and traffic. Perhaps that is the very reason you are coming here. Retreat into nature and enjoy an unpolluted starry sky, lush green forests, and the crickets singing at night.
 
Almost anywhere you go within the West End, you’ll be just minutes away from a trail, lake, and/or woods.
 
A beautiful and easy-to-access spot for hiking and biking trails, rich with history, is Old Town Negaunee. To get there, you can park in one of the parking spots along Tobin Street in Negaunee, just by Jackson Mine Park. This is a trail-head for the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and will lead you right in by foot or bike. Or you can head down Snow Street and drive right in.  You’ll see some roads you can follow along, and there you should find another parking area. (Keep in mind you cannot drive or use any motorized vehicles on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.)
 
The hiking and biking trails are beautiful, or you can just meander through the woods. We came across a bike trail that led us up higher and higher, and soon we were above trees and enjoyed a nice little view.

We found so many raspberry bushes, and stumbled across this cool ghost plant (or Indian Pipe). 

It’s so nice to get lost within the trees and not hear anything other than the sounds of nature around you, whether it’s birds, bugs, wind, or chipmunks throwing acorns out of the trees (don’t be alarmed if one hits you on the head). It’s a great way to slow down and take a break from the daily stressors of life.
 
Check out this article to read more about Old Town Negaunee. It also has some great information about the Republic Wetlands Preserve, which I have yet to explore. It’s on my list, though! There’s also this blog post from one visitor’s perspective that goes into thorough detail with many photos.
 
Bonus: there’s also a disc golf course in Old Town for those who enjoy a good game.  
 
Old Town is a favorite for many around here. We hope that you check it out when you come this way so you can enjoy the beauty, and please remember: leave nothing but footprints, and take nothing but pictures. 

I know I barely scratched the surface on this unique area, let me know what your favorite part about Old Town is! 

We’ve been experiencing some rain this week in the West End. While I love the sunshine and warmth of a classic summer day, I can also appreciate a nice rainy day every now and then. It’s a great time to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the season.
 
The brief change in weather inspired me to reflect on all of the indoor activities we have around here. From eating, to learning, to relaxing, there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy. Here’s my ideal rainy day in the West End.
 
(Feel free to play a video of some rain background noise while reading for the ultimate effect. Here's a nice one.)

Start early with coffee and a sweet treat. Rare Earth Goods & Café or Huron Mountain Bakery in Ishpeming and Midtown Bakery & Café in Negaunee are all perfect stops for this endeavor, but if you’re looking for a bigger breakfast there are a couple other options: Buck’s, Sherrie’s, and Lawry’s Pasty Shop (breakfast pizza anyone?) are all great for a more filling meal. If you’d rather spend your rainy-day morning by sleeping in, there are many delicious places to hit up for lunch.

Aside from antiques, there’s other great shopping around here. In Michigamme, you will find the Michigamme Moonshine Art Gallery, home of beautifully curated pieces of work. Da Yoopers Tourist Trap in Ishpeming is fun for locals and tourists alike, and offers humorous Yooper themed-souvenirs along with many other unique gifts. Make sure to check out the Rock Knockers Rock Shop while you’re there. 1844 in Negaunee is your stop for both Negaunee Miner and U.P. apparel. 

Done with shopping? Take an hour or so to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the West End. Step back in time by learning about our mining roots, organized skiing (did you know Ishpeming is the birth place of it?), or how day-to-day life was many years ago at the various museums. You can also do a self-guided Anatomy of a Murder or historic Ishpeming tour. You can find free brochures for these at the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce. You could also head down to the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, the second oldest Carnegie Library in the U.P. The Michigamme Community Library is another option, and they’re even open 24 hours! 

End your day in the West End by winding down with some pizza. Being the Self-proclaimed Pizza Capital of the U.P., and all, we have a few places to choose from 😉
 
There you have it! That’s my ideal rainy day in the West End, though I’d have to say that this sounds like a great day no matter the weather. How do you like to spend your rainy day? 

Be it family or class reunions, summer is a social gathering time in the Upper Peninsula. The City of Negaunee and the Irontown Association has taken that to the next level with a 10-day celebration of class reunions, community socials and a second wind of fireworks displayed over Teal Lake.
 
Pioneer Days is that celebration. Beside the reunions, there are plenty of activities and events for the entire public.
 
One of the cornerstones of the week is the Alumni Softball Tournament held at LaCombe Field daily. It’s good entertainment for anyone looking to watch some competitive, and at times comical, slow pitch softball action.
 
The Negaunee Historical Society Museum will be open daily from 10am-4pm. Their ice cream social and car show takes place on Tuesday evening (July 9) from 6-8pm. Breakfast will be served at the Negaunee Senior Center every morning at 9am, cost is $4 for general public and $3.50 for seniors.
 
Things start getting busy on Wednesday with the Negaunee Elks Kids Bike Parade starting at 12noon with line-up at 11am. That is followed by the Kids Day activities at the Negaunee Ice Arena from 12-3pm. Later that evening people can check out the Pasqualis Car Show along Teal Lake Avenue starting at 6pm, with the cruise starting at 9pm.
 
Thursday is the community social night downtown Negaunee starting at 8pm. There will be several bands and happenings at many establishments located there along with good eats.
 
Friday hosts the second Fancy Iron Flea Market from 10am-2pm downtown, participation is free and set-up starts at 8am. Vendors are responsible for their own display needs. There will also be an opportunity to preview tour the Upper Peninsula Brewing Company facility that will open later this year.
 
The grand finale is Saturday, July 13 with the Pioneer Parade at 11:30am (note parade route changes), a community picnic at Teal Lake starting at 1pm until dusk, Firefighters Tournament at the Negaunee Firehouse in the afternoon, Mr. Upper Peninsula Pageant at 6pm in the Historic Vista Theater, and fireworks over Teal Lake at dark.
 
For more information and a full list of events go to www.negauneeirontown.org.

​60 years ago today, the renowned film, Anatomy of a Murder, premiered for the very first time. On June 29, 1959, the film premiered at the Butler Theater in Ishpeming and the Nordic Theater in Marquette, just weeks after production had finished. On July 1, 1959, the world premiere was held at the United Artists Theater in Detroit.  
 
The film was an instant hit. It ended up getting nominated for 7 Academy Awards and then won a Grammy Award. It’s been rated one of the twelve best trial movies of all time, and called “probably the finest pure trial movie ever made” by UCLA law professor, Michael Asimow. Anatomy of a Murder brought stars like Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, George C. Scott, and Duke Ellington to Marquette County, and brought fame to Ishpeming-native author and lawyer, John Voelker.
 
John Voelker wrote the book (of the same title as the film) under the pen name Robert Traver. Voelker was the actual defense attorney for the murder case that happened in Big Bay in 1952, which inspired the book.
 
If you grew up in Ishpeming, it’s highly unlikely you don’t know the backstory of this murder case, book, and movie. However, for those unfamiliar with it, here’s a quick run-down of the case: U.S. Army Lieutenant Coleman Peterson shot down Big Bay bar-owner Maurice “Mike” Chenoweth because his wife, Charlotte Peterson, claimed that Chenoweth had beaten and sexually assaulted her. Voelker, an experienced defense attorney, defended Peterson and said he could not be charged for what he did (despite all the witnesses at the bar) because he was plunged into temporary insanity. After a six-day trial, Peterson was found not guilty.
 
Film-director Otto Preminger decided to bring the increasingly popular book to life. He did this on location in Marquette County over an 8-week period. 60 years later, its legacy lives on in many locations around the towns where filming took place.
 
There are many things to be proud of in our little speck on the map, and this is certainly one of them. Anatomy of a Murder being filmed completely on location meant it involved the whole town. Step back in time and envision the West End as it was when the film-crew and stars were roaming the streets.
 
ISHPEMING
 
The Anatomy of a Murder cast arrived in Ishpeming by train in March, 1959, greeted by half of the town’s residents just waiting to see the stars, or if they could get so lucky, an autograph. Today, Bell Forest Products is in a new building where the railroad station once was. 
 
Catch a glimpse of history in downtown Ishpeming. Grab a walking tour brochure from the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce, or click file below to download, and get started.

MICHIGAMME
 
Head west of Ishpeming to Michigamme to dive even deeper into the history of this cultural classic. Mt. Shasta Lodge, located at 290 US 41, is where many of the nightclub and dancing scenes were filmed. You can find photos and relics from the movie on their wall. Also be sure to check out the Michigamme Museum to see the display dedicated to Anatomy of a Murder, featuring original writings, photographs and memorabilia from the film.
 
Click here to find out where to go and what to do in Marquette County for more Anatomy history.
 
 
Did you know?

• John Voelker’s drink of choice was a bourbon and his brand was Cabin Still. He always kept a bottle under his desk. As Voelker was known to say, “Bourbon in a tin cup always tastes better in the woods.”
• While filming on Third Street in Ishpeming, Preminger halted filming. He noticed a small bare tree and ordered his crew to go to the 10-cent store, purchase colored paper, cut out leaves, and paste them to the bare branches to make it look lush.
• Duke Ellington, who wrote part of the movie’s award-winning score at the piano in Ishpeming’s Mather Inn lounge, accepted an invitation to perform “Take the ‘A’ Train” at the annual spring dance of the Delta Sigma Nu Sorority of Northern Michigan University.
• The actors’ arrival in Ishpeming was filmed and broadcast on “The Ed Sullivan Show” a week later, along with scenes from the first day’s shooting. Televising the images from Marquette County was Otto Preminger’s idea for promoting the movie.

 
 
To commemorate the 60th Anniversary, there will be an Anatomy of a Murder Scrapbook for sale, courtesy of Globe Printing and GINCC. Also, John Voelker prints will be for sale at the Festival of Treasures in Ishpeming on July 3rd, from 10am – 5pm.
 
It’s not often that a whole crew of Hollywood stars come to Marquette County to film an entire movie. I haven’t fact checked this, but this may actually be the only time it has happened! Once you start diving deeper into the history of the film, it’s clear that it has made a lasting mark on the people and places of Marquette County.   

SOURCES:
​
https://www.michiganbusiness.org/499486/globalassets/documents/film/final_anatomy_murder_tour_2-1.pdf

https://www.nmu.edu/anatomy50/lm_Anatomy%20of%20a%20Murder%20Reading%20Guide.pdf
 
http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/85867%7C0/Anatomy-of-a-Murder.html
 
https://thoughtcatalog.com/denise-noe/2015/11/the-murder-in-michigan-that-inspired-a-culturally-significant-movie-anatomy-of-a-murder/