Gladstone, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gladstone, Michigan | |
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| — City — | |
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| Coordinates: 45°50′45″N 87°1′49″W / 45.84583°N 87.03028°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Delta |
| Area | |
| - Total | 7.9 sq mi (20.4 km2) |
| - Land | 5.0 sq mi (12.8 km2) |
| - Water | 2.9 sq mi (7.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 604 ft (184 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 5,032 |
| - Density | 1,015.2/sq mi (392.0/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 49837 |
| Area code(s) | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-32300[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1620021[2] |
Gladstone is a city in Delta County in the U.S. state of Michigan. First settled in 1877, Gladstone's original name was Saunders Point. The population was 5,032 at the 2000 census.
U.S. Routes 2 and 41 run concurrently through the city, connecting with Escanaba, nine miles to the south. US 41 runs north to Marquette and US 2 runs east to Manistique. M-35 runs northwest 52 miles to Gwinn and merges with US 2/US 41 south to Escanaba.
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[edit] History
[edit] First Settlers
Throughout the early 19th century, the area where Gladstone exists was largely uninhabited other than the occasional trapper or fisherman. Gladstone was first settled in 1859 when the Hamilton Corporation of Fayette, MI began using it as a shipping point for selling and transporting of their iron ore. [Gladstone Centennial Book Community (1987). Gladstone Centennial History. Gladstone Centennial Book Community. Pp 12–47. ASIN B0010K5HFW]
The town was originally named Saunder’s Point after the Hamilton Company’s then-president, David Saunders {Source Needed}. Today, Saunder’s Point still exists as a small peninsula east of Gladstone’s city park system, located in Little Bay De Noc.
Throughout the 1860’s and 1870’s, Saunder’s point grew into a busy port, expanding beyond its iron ore roots into a shipping point for lumber, coal, and eventually copper during the American civil war.
[edit] Change of Name
In 1876, the Hamilton Corporation had to move its operations when their mine dried up. The new mine location, further south, meant shipping their ore through the Escanaba port. Arthur Delano, the president of C&NW Transportation Company, had commissioned a train depot built in Saunder’s Point during the previous winter to start land shipping for the Hamilton Corporation.[The Trains staff (November, 1990). Timeline. Trains, pp. 21–47] However, since this was no longer possible, Delano began commissioning local industries. Eventually, Delano convinced Jacob Gladstone, a forester from Escanaba, MI to base his operations new sawmill out of Saunder’s point. The following year, when the town became incorporated, it was renamed Gladstone in his honor. [Gladstone Centennial Book Community (1987). Gladstone Centennial History. Gladstone Centennial Book Community. Pp 12–47. ASIN B0010K5HFW]
[edit] Geography
The city is on a small projection into the Little Bay de Noc, which opens onto the Bay of Green Bay on Lake Michigan.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.4 km²), of which, 5.0 square miles (12.8 km²) of it is land and 2.9 square miles (7.6 km²) of it (37.14%) is water.
[edit] Climate
Due to the city’s close proximity to Lake Michigan, Gladstone consistently has high humidity and experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures in the mid 80’s and average lows in the mid 60’s. Winters are cold, snowy and windy with temperatures often below freezing. Spring and Fall are mild with low humidity. According to the National Weather Service, Gladstone’s record low comes in at -60 on January 7, 1896 [1]. To this day, this storm is referred to by Gladstone residents as “les morte a doigts,” since so many of the city’s residents lost fingers due to frostbite.
[edit] Neighborhoods
Although Gladstone is a relatively small city, it has several distinct sections: Downtown (which hosts most of the local businesses), The Buckeye (located on the western side of the city, bordering the Brampton, MI township), and the Bluff (which hosts most of the new residential expansion, as well as Gladstone High School).
[edit] Culture
[edit] Tourism and Parks
Gladstone is often referred to as “The Year ‘Round Playground” because of its myriad of parks and activities. Gladstone’s main park is Van Cleve, which hosts a playground (Kid’s Kingdom), a skateboarding park, a beach and boardwalk, as well as a harbor with boat ramps [www.gladstonemi.org].
Another Gladstone attraction is the Gladstone Sports Park, which hosts skiing and snowboarding runs and a tubing facility. The Park itself is often rented out for other activities, including wedding receptions, and high school graduation parties.
Gladstone also hosts the Days River Trails, which are hiked and biked in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, these trails are used primarily for cross-country skiing.
[edit] Economy
Despite economic troubles in the region, Gladstone is the home of many thriving businesses, though most of them are bars. Other businesses include Marble Arms, Brampton Bike and Ski, Bay de Noc Lure Company, The Dairy Flo, and Front Row Video. Many of Gladstone’s residents also find work in Escanaba, particularly with one of the New Page corporation's mill, which is the area’s biggest employer.
[edit] Fun Facts
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (June 2009) |
Until 2002, Gladstone was the first stoplight a driver would have to encounter on US-2. If this driver had been coming from I-75, Gladstone would be the First stop light since Florida. This distinction is now held by Manistique, MI.
Because of its natural port and its access to iron ore, Henry Ford at one time considered Gladstone as a spot for his first automotive plant [The People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century].
Gladstone is mentioned in the now canceled Television Program, Capitol Critters. In the third episode, “The Rat To Bear Arms,” Trixie talks about spending her childhood living on the shores of Lake Michigan. She then states: “What I wouldn’t give to be back eating those Gladstone perch!” {how to cite a television show?}
Gladstone is sometimes referred to as “Happy Rock” or "Gay Pebble" by its residents, both plays on the town’s actual name.
The Gladstone High School Track team currently holds the record in the state of Michigan for most consecutive Division 1 championships with 6.
[edit] Major highways
[edit] Notable people
- Terry Ahola, former member of the United States Ski Team. Family was former owner of the land that now holds Gladstone
- Robert John Cornell, former member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin, Roman Catholic priest
- Becky Iverson, Professional golfer
- Bart Stupak, member of the United States House of Representatives, Upper Peninsula of Michigan
- Kevin Tapani, Professional Baseball retiree
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,032 people, 2,126 households, and 1,392 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,015.2 per square mile (391.7/km²). There were 2,289 housing units at an average density of 461.8/sq mi (178.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.76% White, 0.14% African American, 1.47% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population. 14.3% were of French, 14.0% German, 12.2% Swedish, 10.3% French Canadian, 6.1% English, 5.2% Irish and 5.0% Belgian ancestry according to Census 2000. 99.5% spoke English as their first language.
There were 2,126 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,328, and the median income for a family was $47,899. Males had a median income of $43,400 versus $25,662 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,973. About 7.8% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 45°51′10″N 87°01′18″W / 45.85278°N 87.02167°W
