Marquette History

The land around Marquette was known to French missionaries of the early 17th century and the trappers of the early 19th century. Development of the area did not begin, however, until 1844, when William Burt andJacob Houghton (the brother of geologist Douglass Houghton) discovered iron deposits near Teal Lake west of Marquette. In 1845.

St. Peter Cathedral

During the 1850s, Marquette was linked by rail to numerous mines and became the leading shipping center of the Upper Peninsula.  the city had a population of over 1,600 and a soaring economy.

In the late 19th century, during the height of iron mining, Marquette became nationally known as a summer haven. Visitors brought in by Great Lakes passenger steamshipsfilled the city’s hotels and resorts.

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