Welcome to Iron County, Michigan Plan your next vacation and getaways to Iron County, Michigan. Discover, explore and enjoy the natural wonders that Iron County offers. Open to all, lush forests and sparkling lakes dominate the land- scape here. Far away from city life that you’ll think you’ve not only crossed a different time zone, but into a different era. Folks are downright friendly and anxious to get to know you. Life is laidback . but not where you can’t enjoy power boating, zip- ping across the lake on your personal watercraft and ATVing the many trails. WELCOME Golfing continues to grow in popularity, whether for a 9- or 18-hole round or with the new pursuit, disc golf. The silent sports are very much in vogue. In addition to road biking and mountain biking, those geared toward fat bikes are pushing the pedals in Iron County. Color- ful kayaks, SUPs and canoes dot the lakes and rivers. And dare we say it -- drones are becoming the next outdoor sport with quadcopters and the like recording the beauty from up above. Camping is big – especially watching the sparks from the campfire mingle with the stars -- but our motels and cabins welcome their share of guests anxious for a comfy bed and maybe a Jacuzzi. There’s more to Iron County than natural beauty. Our restaurants and taverns are pretty special places to visit for a meal and shooting the breeze over a craft beer. Our communities invite all to celebrate with them on special occasions. Summer brings exciting rodeo action when the UP Pro Rodeo pays a visit to Iron River. All generations will love the Iron County Fair. We’re also bringing back Humongous Fungus Fest – better than ever! Stop by at the Iron County Chamber of Commerce office in down- town Iron River for information about all the above, as well as for shopping and lodging suggestions. Visit online at www.iron.org for updates on our many events. Inside this Issue Welcome Letter .......................................................................................page 4 Calendar of Events .................................................................................page 6 Golf ...........................................................................................................page 7 INDEX Communities ..........................................................................................page 8 Colorama ...............................................................................................page 10 Published By: Fishing....................................................................................................page 12 5 Star Marketing & Distribution Camping ................................................................................................page 14 409 Southpark Drive Tomahawk, WI 54487 Trails .......................................................................................................page 16 715-453-4511 Area Map ...............................................................................................page 18 E-mail: [email protected] Theater & Arts .......................................................................................page 20 4 2017 Iron County Visitor Guide 2017 Iron County Visitor Guide 5 Calendar of Events April 8 Business Expo WIC High School Gym April 28 & 30 Oliver! Musical Crystal Theatre May 5-7 Oliver! Musical Windsor Center May 20 Annie Musical Crystal Theatre June 23-25 UP History Conference WIC High School Gym June 24 River Fest at the RV Park Klint Safford Memorial RV Park July 7-9 Bass Festival Crystal Falls July 13-15 50th UP Pro Rodeo Iron River Fairgrounds July 22 Summer Fest Crystal Falls August 4-6 Humongous Fungus Fest Crystal Falls August 10-13 Iron County Fair Iron River Fairgrounds August 26 Blues Fest Alpha Senior Center Dance 2nd Saturdays Iron River Senior Center Pancake Breakfast 3rd Saturdays Iron River Senior Center Folk Dancing 2nd Sundays Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp EVENTS *Please check iron.org/calendar for more events, updates and event details. 6 2017 Iron County Visitor Guide 1...2...3... Fore! Iron County offers the best in Upper Michigan golf courses and clubs. Come and experience all three of our exciting courses, which offer WIC High School Gym challenging courses, fantastic scenery, warm Business Expo April 8 Crystal Theatre hospitality and fun for all ages. All three are GOLFING Oliver! Musical open to the public and each has a clubhouse. April 28 & 30 Windsor Center Oliver! Musical George Young Golf Course situated along Chi- May 5-7 Crystal Theatre Annie Musical caugon Lake about 8 miles east of Iron River is May 20 WIC High School Gym a championship 18-hole course (Golf Digest “4- UP History Conference June 23-25 Klint Safford Memorial RV Park Star” rated). At 7,100 yards long, it’s the longest River Fest at the RV Park June 24 Crystal Falls 18-hole course in the Upper Peninsula. Bass Festival July 7-9 Iron River Fairgrounds Iron River Country Club is a 9-hole golf course 50th UP Pro Rodeo located on M-189 just 2 miles south of Iron Riv- July 13-15 Crystal Falls Summer Fest er. Close to all the city offers, this course offers July 22 Crystal Falls a shorter layout and multiple tee boxes for the Humongous Fungus Fest August 4-6 Iron River Fairgrounds “pro” to the senior citizen. A small stream runs Iron County Fair through the course. August 10-13 Alpha Blues Fest Crystal View Golf Course is another 9-hole August 26 course located one-half mile east of downtown Iron River Senior Center 2nd Saturdays Crystal Falls off M-69. It’s challenging as it Senior Center Dance Iron River Senior Center runs through a hilly terrain and along the banks 3rd Saturdays Pancake Breakfast Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp of the beautiful Paint River. It also overlooks 2nd Sundays the city. Folk Dancing *Please check iron.org/calendar for more events, updates and event details. HWY U.S. 2 Quinnesec, MI 906-774-1052 www.northernrvs.com Northern R.V. Center is a multiple award winning RV sales, parts and service center. We are family owned and have been serving the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin since 1980. 2017 Iron County Visitor Guide 7 Our Communities Welcome You Alpha Crystal Falls The Village of Alpha is on the Heritage Trail tour and in- Crystal Falls is the county seat of Iron County and was cludes the historic Porter School and Alpha Museum, both named for the falls on the Paint River. The city’s heritage in the Alpha Circle Historic District. Several buildings are includes early iron mining and timber exploration. The on the National Register of Historic Places. The Village of pride of downtown Crystal Falls is the 1890 Romanesque- Alpha was incorporated in 1914, which also marked the style Iron County Courthouse, which sits on top of the hill opening of the K-12 Alpha Porter School. The last class and affords those who tour it a stunning vista of the coun- to graduate from Porter School was in 1967. Several small tryside. The Harbour House Museum is also located in the businesses are now located in the former school, as well as city. The city owns and operates its own hydroelectric plant a summer/fall farmers market held on the school grounds. and cable TV system. Its industrial park is located one-half As of the 2010 census, the village population was 145. mile west of town. The local golf course overlooks the Paint River and offers 9-holes of challenging play. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,469. Amasa The unincorporated community of Amasa is home to re- nowned NBA and NCAA basketball flooring manufacturer, Gaastra Connor Sports Flooring. The community began in 1910 as Gaastra is named after Douwe Gaastra, a building contrac- a Finnish iron mining and logging boomtown of just over tor and real estate speculator who bought the land in Oc- 1,000 people. Now with a population of 283, Amasa resi- tober 1908 and platted the town. It was incorporated as a dents are largely employed in the forest products industry. village in 1919 and as a city in 1949. As of the 2010 census, Attractions include the Amasa Historical Society Museum, the city population was 347. which includes replicas of a trapper’s cabin and old time barbershop. Iron River Iron River is the largest city in Iron County and home to the Caspian Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo, held in late July The City of Caspian’s development mirrors the expansion each year, and the Iron County Fair. Like other communi- COMMUNITIES of the mining industry on the west side of the county after ties in the county, it owes its existence to the iron first mined the turn of the century. At one time, six mines operated in here in 1879. In a 2000 election, adjoining Stambaugh and the immediate area, including the Caspian from which the Mineral Hills were consolidated with Iron River, adding settlement took its name by 1913. Caspian was incorporated about 1,500 citizens to Iron River, now pop. 3,029. The as a city with a commission-manager form of government city has an 18-hole disc golf course (The Tailings), which in 1950. The city includes the Iron County Multi-Purpose has drawn good reviews. Ski Brule, one of the Northwoods Building/Ice Arena, Apple Blossom Biking and Walking busiest ski hill complexes, is located just a few miles south Trail, Caspian Community Center and an Industrial Park. of the city. Caspian is also home to the Iron County Museum that com- prises 25 buildings that make up the Heritage Village. The museum is home of the Lee LeBlanc Wildlife Art Gallery. 8 2017 Iron County Visitor Guide 2017 Iron County Visitor Guide 9 Bright foliage bedecks hills and valleys during Colorama COLORAMA Bring your camera and get inspired with a weekend getaway to US-2 east, M-189 south and M-73south all provide their unique Iron County during autumn when the hues of changing leaf colors opportunities for a Color Tour supreme. Whether you want to see are absolutely breathtaking. color up-close -- or prefer a panoramic color -- the highways will As the daylight hours get shorter, the leaves begin to transition offer you a view to behold.