Gogebic County, Michigan

Gogebic County is located at the far end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Wisconsin. The county was named after the Chippewa word "agogebic," which means 'a body of water hanging on high'. This is an apt name for this area, which includes part of the southern Lake Superior coastline, 315 named lakes, (including the largest lake in the Upper Peninsula, Lake Gogebic), many inland rivers with 32 waterfalls!


Civilization came to the area around 1871 when iron was discovered near the Montreal River. The 1880's turned the area into a cauldron of mining activity: The Gogebic range was the last U. P. iron range to be opened and at the peak of the mining era in 1920 produced 7 million tons annually. Mining activity ended in 1966 when the Peterson mine closed. Today tourism, including water recreation and winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling, remain the county�s top attraction.


Interesting places to visit include Ironwood, the westernmost city in Michigan, Bessemer, the county seat and Wakefield, on beautiful Sunday Lake. Copper Peak, once a functioning ski jump, is located about 12 miles north of Bessemer. From there, one can see Minnesota, Canada, and Wisconsin on a clear day. A waterfall guide can be obtained at various tourist information points.

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