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Ontonagon County, Michigan

78 topographic sheets cover 38 settlements here, and 6 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

6 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Michigan within the United States
Ontonagon County within Michigan

What the record shows

  • 491 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 6 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 4 buildings and 2 structures.
  • 1 of the 6 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 38 populated places in this county; 38 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

6

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Bergland Administrative Sitebuilding200505000103
Ernest J. and Edna Humphrey Farmbuilding2022100007921
Ontonagon County Courthousebuilding198080001888
Ontonagon Harbor Piers Historic Districtstructure200101001313
Ontonagon Lighthousestructure197575000960
Ontonagon Schoolbuilding201111000308

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

62 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 62 of them, burning about 189 acres. 6 started naturally and 2 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning14
Missing data/not specified/undetermined12
Railroad operations and maintenance12
Recreation and ceremony8
Natural6
Power generation/transmission/distribution3
Arson/incendiarism2
Equipment and vehicle use2
Fireworks1
Other causes1
Smoking1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
8 April 2017Arson/incendiarism62 acresOttawa National ForestMILL TOWN
21 May 1994Missing data/not specified/undetermined25 acresOttawa National Forestnot named
15 August 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined17 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
30 April 1998Power generation/transmission/distribution15 acresOttawa National ForestVICTORIA
20 August 2007Equipment and vehicle use11 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
29 April 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined7.0 acresOttawa National Forest730
7 May 2015Natural6.6 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesMASS
15 November 1994Smoking5.8 acresMichigan Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1953 to 2025

60 of 145 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 145 reports for this county, causing no deaths, no injuries and about $10,697,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind69
Hail54
Heavy Rain11
Flash Flood5
Tornado3
Flood2
Wildfire1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
April 2023FloodEwen$8,000,000Michigan DOT closed Highway M-28 at Ewen due to snowmelt flooding over the bridge along the South Branch of the Ontonagon River from the 13th until the 18th. Traffic was detoured via US-2 and US-45. Ontonagon County was added to the state emergency declaration by Governor Whitmer on the 21st to assist in flood recovery efforts.
July 2025Flash FloodFiresteel$1,600,000Several roads were washed out in the Misery Bay area, including Misery Bay Road, Lots Road, Kemppa Road, and Wolf Creek Road. Some residents were stranded for hours due to the washouts. Newer culverts were blown out due to the flooding.
April 2013FloodMerriweather$550,000Rapid melting of significant late season snow pack caused moderate flooding of roads in the Bergland, Bruce Crossing and Rockland areas from the 28th into the 30th. Minor flooding continued into early May. Some flooding of basements was also reported. A portion of Highway M-28 was closed from Bergland to Bruce Crossing due to flooding. Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster in Ontonagon County where nearly $ 550,000 in property damage occurred due to the flooding mainly to roadway infrastructure.
June 1953Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
July 2016Thunderstorm WindOntonagon$100,000The Ontonagon Emergency Manager reported dozens of trees down in and around the village of Ontonagon, including several down on homes. Power was out in the village for nearly eight hours.
June 2024Flash FloodFiresteel$50,000Nearly five inches of rain from the evening of the 18th into the early morning of the 19th caused flash flooding in the Ontonagon area as a culvert washed out and resulted in the closure of Lakeshore Drive east of Ontonagon.
July 2022Flash FloodWhite Pine$20,000Heavy rain estimates of 4 to 5 inches from early morning through late afternoon caused a washout of Norwich Road in Ontonagon County 13 miles south of Highway M-64.
August 2011Tornado (EF0)Ontonagon$20,000A strong EF0 tornado with winds estimated around 85 mph touched down at the River Pines RV Park and Campground and then skipped northeastward across the village lifting on the east side of the Ontonagon Golf Course. Most of the damage was confined to snapped and uprooted trees, snapped power poles, a small flipped boat, minor roof damage, and some structural damage to a garage. There were no injuries.
May 2010Flash FloodOntonagon$15,000The Ontonagon Sheriff's office reported roads in and near Ontonagon washed out due to heavy rainfall of two to three inches which fell in less than an hour. Flooding on River Street in Ontonagon forced water over the sidewalks and into some area businesses.
June 2022Flash FloodNonesuch$10,000Rainfall estimates of 2 to 3 inches from thunderstorms during the day on the 13th caused flash flooding on the south end of Porcupine Mountains State Park. The South Boundary Road was closed from Summit Peak to the Gogebic County line due to water over the road. The park headquarters posted videos of water running over the road on their Facebook page.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindEwen$5,000The Ontonagon County Dispatch reported a few trees of unknown size down on power lines in Ewen.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindNonesuch$5,000Widespread power outages were reported across Ontonagon County by UPPCO, especially from White Pine northeast to Ontonagon.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindGreenland$5,000There was a report via social media of a barn destroyed near Mass City.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindPaulding$4,000Multiple trees were reported down in Paulding.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindSimar$4,000There was a delayed report of multiple trees down on Forest Highway 16 in Ontonagon County between Mass City and Nisula. Time of the report was estimated from radar.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindMass$4,000The Gogebic County Sheriff reported numerous trees down in and around Mass City.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindBergland$4,000The Ontonagon sheriff received numerous reports of downed trees and powerlines on the southern end of Ontonagon county, mainly near Bergland along M-64.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindSilver City$4,000The spotter at the headquarters of Porcupine Mountains State Park reported severe downdrafts, trees falling, dime-sized hail, significant lightning and heavy rain and runoff for approximately 20 minutes. Four large trees fell across roads, blocking lanes in the park.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindBergland$4,000Numerous large trees were reported down along East Shore Road eastward to Paulding.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindEwen$4,000Outbuildings on farm destroyed. Highway construction signs blown down.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindMass$3,000The State Police Regional Dispatch reported downed power poles in Mass City.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindPaulding$3,000Trees reported down across town...dimension of trees unknown.
August 1998Thunderstorm WindRockland$3,00018 inch diameter tree down on a van. Tree down across Creek Rroad.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindEwen$2,000There was a picture posted on social media of a large tree and power line down across a road in Ewen.
July 2022Heavy RainFiresteel$2,000There was a public report of an estimated three inches of heavy rain by Misery Bay in Ontonagon which caused minor flooding around the garage and yard of the property there.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindEwen$2,000There was a report of several trees snapped or uprooted between Ewen and Bruce Crossing. The time of the delayed report was estimated from radar.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindWood Spur$2,000The State Police Regional Dispatch reported trees down over a road five miles southeast of Ontonagon.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindTrout Creek$2,000Aspen trees eight inches in diameter were blown down near the roots at Trout Creek. Report was relayed via social media.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindMerriweather$2,000There was a public report of several trees down around Lake Gogebic five miles southeast of Merriweather.
August 2013Thunderstorm WindBergland$2,000Several trees were downed, and one of the trees was estimated to have a 12-15 inch diameter. Time of the event was estimated from radar.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindEwen$2,000Trees reported down...dimensions unknown. Time was estimated by radar. Pea-sized hail was also reported.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindBruce Crossing$2,000Trees reported down. Time was estimated from the radar.
April 2010Thunderstorm WindCalderwood$2,000Numerous trees were snapped off near Bond Falls.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindOntonagon$2,000Several 8-12 inch diameter trees blown down across roads.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindMass$2,000Tree blown down taking power line with it.
August 2021Thunderstorm WindBruce Crossing$1,000Report of a tree down along the side of Highway M-28 near Bruce Crossing. A delayed report with the time estimated from radar.
May 2021Thunderstorm WindMass$1,000Delayed report of tree down on powerline.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindPaulding$1,000There were social media reports of a few spruce trees knocked down in Paulding. The time of the delayed report was estimated from radar.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindPaulding$1,000A poplar and spruce tree were reported down across the street of the Running Bear Resort and from nearby trails. Other trees were reported down, but were cleared off the road before being observed by reporter. Timing of the wind damage report was estimated from radar.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindPaulding$1,000The observer in Paulding reported via social media that a sign was damaged at the COOP site there.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindPaulding$1,000Trees were downed onto a power line. No specifics were known on the diameter or the timing of the event.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindBruce Crossing-Dispatch reported a large tree down at US-45 and Himanka Hill Road.
May 2024HailEwen-One inch diameter hail reported in Ewen. The hail lasted 5-10 minutes.
July 2022HailRockland-Quarter-sized hail was reported at Rockland via Facebook. The hail lasted five minutes and the time of the report was estimated from radar.
June 2022HailFiresteel-A delayed report of quarter-sized hail near Misery Bay.
June 2022HailFiresteel-Pictures of nickel to quarter-sized hail from Twitter seven miles east of Fourteen Mile Point. Time of the report was estimated from radar.
May 2021HailPaulding-The observer reported nickel-sized hail in Paulding.
July 2019HailWainola-Nickel-sized hail was reported from a thunderstorm south of Mass City via a photo through social media.
May 2017Heavy RainPaulding-The observer in Paulding measured nearly two and half inches of rain in 24 hours.
October 2016HailRockland-A spotter in Rockland observed penny-sized hail covering the ground.
August 2014Heavy RainSilver City-There was a public report of 1.91 inches of rainfall in Silver City over approximately 36 hours.
September 2014Heavy RainPaulding-Rainfall totals between 1.5 and 3.5 inches were reported across Gogebic County from the evening of the 9th through the afternoon of the 10th...heaviest near the Bruce Crossing area.
August 2013HailBergland-Gusty winds were also observed which knocked down some small limbs.
May 2012HailWainola-Gusts up to 40 mph were reported with the storm.
July 2012Heavy RainCalderwood-The observer near Paulding measured 2.12 inches of rainfall during the event.
July 2012Heavy RainRockland-The observer near Rockland measured nearly three inches of rainfall in about an hour.
May 2012Heavy RainFiresteel-The observer ten miles east of Ontonagon measured 1.75 inches of total rainfall. A small creek on the residence was reported over its banks. The observer at Rockland measured 2.80 inches of storm total rainfall.
September 2012Thunderstorm WindWainola-A spotter just south of Mass City measured 63 mph wind gusts from a line of thunderstorms moving through the area. Pea-sized hail was also reported.
June 2012Heavy RainBergland-Observers from Bergland and Paulding to Rockland measured nearly two inches of storm total rainfall.
October 2012Heavy RainPaulding-Locations throughout Ontonagon County measured between two to three inches of rainfall during the event.

Mines and quarries

99 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 99 workings inside this county. 9 still produce and 90 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Copper78
Silver18
Copper, Silver5
Sand and Gravel, Construction4
Stone, Crushed/Broken3
Gold, Silver2
Clay1
Gold1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Beaser Silver ProspectGoldOccurrence1873
Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. Shale PitClayPast Producer
(Facility) White Pine Copper RefineryCopper, Gold, SilverPlant
(Facility) White Pine Copper SmelterCopper, Gold, SilverPlant
George Hocking Construction Co QyStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
George Hocking Construction Co QyStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Howes White Pine QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Fox Valley PitsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
George Hocking Const PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
National Sandstone ExposureSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Ontonagon County Road Comm. PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
MichiganCopper, SilverPast Producer1898, 1904
MinesotaCopper, SilverPast Producer1848, 1856
NationalCopper, SilverPast Producer1848, 1853
Old MassCopper, SilverPast Producer1856, 1857
RocklandCopper, SilverPast Producer1853, 1854
Adventure Consolidated MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1850, 1851, 1917
Boston & North American Silver ProspectSilverProspect1845, 1846
Caledonia Mine (Nebraska)Copper, SilverProducer1855, 1863
Cleveland Silver ProspectSilverPast Producer1874, 1875
Evergreen SeriesCopper, SilverPast Producer1848
Flintsteel River MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1853, 1881
Lone Rock Silver ProspectSilverProspect1859, 1860
Mammoth Silver ProspectSilverOccurrence1873
Mass Consolidated MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1849, 1850
Michigan MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1898, 1921
Minesota MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1848, 1885
National MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1848, 1908
Ontonagon Silver MineSilverPast Producer1873
Rockland MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1853, 1880
Scranton Silver MineSilverPast Producer1872
Superior Silver MineSilverPast Producer1873, 1876
White PineCopper, SilverProducer1865, 1953
White Pine MineCopper, SilverPast Producer1937, 1945, 1995
Algomah MineCopperPast Producer1910, 1956
Algonquin MineCopperPast Producer1847
ArticCopperPast Producer1904
AztecCopperPast Producer1852
Belt Mine (Piscatauqua)CopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Bohemian MineCopperPast Producer1848, 1886
Boston & Lake Superior ExplorationCopperProspect1849, 1854
Brooklyn MineCopperPast Producer1860
Carp Lake MineCopperPast Producer1858, 1898
Cascade ProspectCopperProspectFissure
Cherokee MineCopperPast Producer1864, 1917
Cleveland MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Clifton MineCopperPast Producer1853, 1855
Collins MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Copper Crown MineCopperPast Producer1904, 1908
Cuyahoga MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Derby MineCopperPast Producer1852, 1865
Eureka MineCopperPast Producer1863
Firesteel MineCopperPast Producer1852, 1855
Halliwell MineCopperPast Producer1896, 1906
Hartford MineCopperPast Producer1864
Henwood Mine (Douglass Houghton)CopperPast Producer1850, 1856
Hilton MineCopperPast Producer1850, 1890
Hudson MineCopperPast Producer1850, 1864
Indiana MineCopperPast Producer1862, 1916
Knowlton MineCopperPast Producer1896, 1906
Lafayette MineCopperPast Producer1844, 1865
LakeCopperPast Producer1905, 1909
Lake Cu MineCopperPast Producer
Lake MineCopperPast Producer1905, 1919
Lake Superior MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
MassCopperPast Producer
Mass Cu MineCopperPast Producer
Mendenhall MineCopperPast Producer1846, 1847
Merryweather ProspectCopperProspect1852
Nassau MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
NebraskaCopperPast Producer1855
Nonesuch Copper MineCopperPast Producer
Nonesuch MineCopperPast Producer1867, 1885
North Lake MineCopperPast Producer1908, 1918
NorwichCopperPast Producer1846, 1852
Norwich MineCopperPast Producer1846, 1850, 1900
Ohio Trap Rock MineCopperPast Producer1846, 1858
Old Mass MineCopperPast Producer1849, 1884
Ontonagon MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Peninsula MineCopperPast Producer1850, 1854
Pittsburg MineCopperPast Producer1852, 1856
Ridge Cu MineCopperPast Producer
Scranton MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Sharon MineCopperPast Producer1852, 1855
South Lake MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
SuperiorCopperPast Producer1855, 1860
ToltecCopperPast Producer1850, 1853
Toltec MineCopperPast ProducerSecondary Enrichment
Tremont Mine (Devon)CopperPast ProducerVein
Union Copper MineCopperPast Producer
Union MineCopperPast Producer1846, 1907
United States ExplorationCopperProspect1852
VictoriaCopperPast Producer1849, 1850
Victoria Mine (Cushin)CopperPast Producer1849, 1924
W.White Pine Smith Explorat. CopperCopperProspect
Wauneta ExplorationCopperProspect1899
What Cheer MineCopperPast Producer1855
White Pine Copper Co. ExtensionCopperProspect
White Pine Extension MineCopperPast Producer1872, 1915, 1918

Every populated place in the county

38

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.