The Great Outdoors: The History of Recreation in Marquette County Special Exhibit
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Bicycling | Birding | Cross Country Skiing | Dog Sled | Downhill Skiing | Guts Frisbee | Ice Skating | Luge | Paddling | Rock & Ice Climbing | Running | Scuba Diving | Ski Jumping | Snowshoe | Trails | Wildlife Photography
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Clubs were formed in Marquette and Ishpeming during the late 19th century. The Marquette club met every Wednesday. Wearing a blanket uniform and carrying a brass torch like those used in political campaign parades, members would hike out to their clubhouse. The clubhouse was near the powder mills on the Dead River (near present day Tourist Park) and built in 1886-87. It featured a fireplace which could burn 6’ logs.
A Marquette woman’s club formed in 1887 known as Agimosse, or I walk on snow shoes.
At the clubhouse music, recitation of poetry and speeches, eating, drinking, and dancing occurred. The two towns often hosted one another. At one trip, Ishpeming club members were met with fireworks as they got off the train. The two groups walked orderly through Marquette, two by two and out to the clubhouse for entertainment.
Ishpeming’s first club formed in 1886 with 28 members. Their first hike was in the Cooper Lake area. They had a clubhouse three miles from town, but moved near Lake Bancroft to be closer to town. Another club formed in 1890 and the two often met together.
Two hundred snow-shoers trekked from Ishpeming to Marquette in 1939. This became an annual event for several years.
Snowshoeing was preferred until Nordic / cross country skiing gained in popularity in the 1930s.
A Marquette woman’s club formed in 1887 known as Agimosse, or I walk on snow shoes.
At the clubhouse music, recitation of poetry and speeches, eating, drinking, and dancing occurred. The two towns often hosted one another. At one trip, Ishpeming club members were met with fireworks as they got off the train. The two groups walked orderly through Marquette, two by two and out to the clubhouse for entertainment.
Ishpeming’s first club formed in 1886 with 28 members. Their first hike was in the Cooper Lake area. They had a clubhouse three miles from town, but moved near Lake Bancroft to be closer to town. Another club formed in 1890 and the two often met together.
Two hundred snow-shoers trekked from Ishpeming to Marquette in 1939. This became an annual event for several years.
Snowshoeing was preferred until Nordic / cross country skiing gained in popularity in the 1930s.
A short video of the snowshoe outfit and shoes featured in the exhibit
Thank you to all who contributed photographs to be used in this exhibit. Historic photographs are from the J.M. Longyear Research Library at the MRHC.