Munising, Michigan

See also: Restaurants, Motels

The majority of the members of the Class of 1980 call Munising home. The Class of 1980 was the first class to graduate from the then newly built Munising High School that was erected on the shores of Lake Superior. Prior to the erection of the Munising High School, students of the Class of 1980 attended William G. Mather High School, which now serves as a middle school.

According to the U.S. Census, in 2000 Munising was home to 2,539 people, 1,115 households and 654 families, of which 93.74% were white, .16% African American, 3.51% Native American, with a population density of 474 per square mile. Munising's rich ethnic heritages included 13.3% French, 12.4% German, 11% Finnish, 9.9% Polish, 8.8% Swedish, 7.3% French Canadian and 6.8% Irish ancestry.

The Four Corners

A glimpse into the past, compliments of Ross Cook, "The Corner." A place we all knew as one of grandeur and distinction for those who were privileged to grace it for a few minutes or endless hours... depending upon if and when the next party was happening.

Delft Theater

Merely a memory for most of our childhood's, the Delft Theater (photo compliments of Ross Cook) reopened during our younger years, as this writer recalls, and was home to Santa at Christmas time.

Alger County Courthouse

Namesake to the former Michigan Governor Russell Alger, Alger County was established in 1855, and originally seated in Au Train, Michigan. The county seat was moved to Munising, and the Alger County Courthouse (photo left compliments of Ross Cook), was built in 1901. The original structure was created with native Jacobsville Sandstone. The Alger County Courthouse was nominated to the State Register of Historic Sites on 12/14/1976, but burned down in 1977.

The Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries was abolished by Executive Order No. 2009-36 on October 1, 2009, but their information is online at: Department of History, Arts & Libraries). Visit Alger County for more historic data.

Munising Hospital was constructed in 1910, and closed in 1961 when the Munising Memorial Hospital was opened on Sand Point Road. The Munising Hospital had housed an operating room and the latest technology of the times.

The Munising Leather Company, established in 1896, was the largest tannery in the world. It employed about 200 men, and closed in 1922.

The Munising Woodenware employed 200-300 men and women in its peak times during its operational years beginning around 1910 and ending in the 1950's.

Munising High School Class of 1980
30 Year Class Reunion