Grand Marais, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
name = Grand Marais
settlement_type = Unincorporated Community
nickname = the gem of the U.P.
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pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Michigan
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Alger
subdivision_type3 = Township
subdivision_name3 = Burt Township
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unit_pref = Imperial
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timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_ft = 627
latd = 46 |latm = 40 |lats = 15 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 59 |longs = 07 |longEW = W

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Grand Marais is an unincorporated community in Burt Township, Alger County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located on Lake Superior at coord|46|40|15|N|85|59|07|W| and is the eastern gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore via H-58.

The name "Grand Marais" (big marsh) is a reference to the large, shallow harbor, which now has a breakwater extending from the bay into the lake. The Grand Marais light is at its end. [ [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/superior/gdmarais-mi/gdmarais.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Grand Maris Light.] ] French explorers used the word "marais" to mean "harbor of refuge" as well as "marsh." The harbor indeed tends to return to a marshlike state. Many controversies in the little town revolve around costly dredging and breakwall-repair operations.

Grand Marais was one of five U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations along the coast of Lake Superior between Munising and Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was part of the U.S. Life-Saving Service District 10 (later part of District 11). Another of those five is Crisp Point Light. In 1915, these stations became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1939 the U.S. Lighthouse Service also merged under the control of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Grand Marais is the northern terminus of M-77. [ [http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m/77/ Michigan highway ends, M-77 picture.] ] Seney and the Seney National Wildlife Refuge are to the south.

Tourism

Grand Marais is a four-season tourist destination, with snowmobiling being popular in the winter, and swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing among the summer recreations. Points of interest include:

* Grand Marais Maritime Museum (former United States Coast Guard station). This is the station where the Coast Guard radio operator had his last communication with the Edmund Fitzgerald before she sank with all hands. [ [http://hunts-upguide.com/grand_marais_grand_marais_maritime_museum.html Hunt's Guide to the Upper Peninsula, Grand Marais Maritime Museum.] ]
* Pickle Barrel House Museum (1926)
* The Lake Superior Brewing Company operates a brewery and pub at Grand Marais. [ [http://www.michigan.org/Experiences/Tag/Default.aspx?tag=Breweries Pure Michigan, Grand Marais.] ]
* In mid July, the harbor is the site of the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium, a multi-day event which attracts hundreds of sea kayakers from around the country. 2008 will be its 24th year. [ [http://www.glsks.org/ Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium.] ]

External links

* [http://www.grandmarais.net/ The Grand Marais Gazette Newspaper]
* [http://www.grandmarais.net/weather/ The Grand Marais Local Weather pages]
* [http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/ Grand Marais Website]
* [http://www.exploringthenorth.com/gmar/gm.html 2nd Grand Marais Website]
* [http://www.terrypepper.com/Lights/superior/gdmarais-mi/gdmarais.htm Terry Pepper, Seeing the Light, Grand Maris Light.]

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