[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10381]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF MANISTIQUE, MICHIGAN

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the city of 
Manistique, Michigan on its 150th anniversary. On June 19, 2010 the 
residents of Manistique will celebrate this sesquicentennial 
anniversary along with a color guard, presentations from local, state 
and federal officials and entertainment for all.
  Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where the waves of Lake 
Michigan meet the currents of the Manistique River, the city's history 
is one of commerce, ingenuity and immense pride. The small settlement 
on the Manistique River had no name until 1860 when Charles Harvey 
built a small dam on the river to power a sawmill. Initially named 
Epsport, after his wife's family name of Eps, the name was changed to 
Manistique in 1885. The name Manistique was adapted from a Native 
American word for vermillion, because of the reddish tint of the 
river's water.
  Development of the area began in 1872 when Abijah Weston bought the 
Chicago Lumber company and brought it to Manistique. Manistique was 
ideally situated to take advantage of the timber industry boom from the 
1880s through the 1920s. As a lumber transfer town, timber that was cut 
further north was sent down the Manistique River, sorted at Manistique 
and then sent by boats across Lake Michigan to towns for processing. 
The use of water transportation was vital for the survival of the 
community--until 1888 when the Soo Line Railroad began to serve the 
Manistique area, the only way to reach the city was over water.
  As the timber industry declined, limestone production and the pulp 
and paper mill, along with tourism following World War II, became the 
area's major industries.
  Still standing as a testament to the vibrant history of Manistique 
are the 200-foot brick water tower built in 1921-22 when the municipal 
water system was installed and ``Siphon Bridge,'' an engineering marvel 
built in 1916 which allowed the Manistique Pulp and Paper Company to 
maintain the river's water level several feet above the bridge's 
roadbed to support a ``floating bridge.'' The East Breakwater Light at 
the mouth of the river guided Lake Michigan vessels with its Fourth 
Order Fresnel Lens at the east end of the harbor beginning in 1917. 
More recently, a boardwalk nearly two miles long was constructed along 
the shoreline offering access to East Breakwater Light, picnic grounds, 
a fishing pier, and a wide variety of wildlife.
  Today, Manistique provides residents and visitors alike with some of 
the best natural surroundings the Upper Peninsula has to offer. During 
summer months there is hiking in the Hiawatha National Forest, swimming 
in Lake Michigan and canoeing down the Manistique River. Winters bring 
up to 71 inches of snow for cross country skiers to glide through 
trails around Indian Lake and snowmobilers and sledders who want to try 
their hand at ``Thunder Bowl.''
  Madam Speaker, Manistique is a city rich in history and natural 
beauty. From the humble beginnings of a small sawmill situated on the 
shores of Lake Michigan the city and its residents have grown and 
evolved into a premier destination in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Madam 
Speaker, as residents celebrate this sesquicentennial milestone, I ask 
that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in 
honoring the city of Manistique on its 150th anniversary.

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