About
The town of Champion is located in and around a small valley in the western part of Marquette County in the north central region of the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan. The township was organized in 1863 shortly after large deposits of "champion" quality iron ore were discovered in the area. Champion township covers an area of approximately 125 square miles of land, most of it sparsely populated. As of the 2010 census the population of Champion township was 297. The population center, in the village of Champion, is located in the southern part of the township along the east-west corridor of highway US-41/M-28 approximately 30 miles west of the city of Marquette.
The town of Champion is located in and around a small valley in the western part of Marquette County in the north central region of the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan. The township was organized in 1863 shortly after large deposits of "champion" quality iron ore were discovered in the area. Champion township covers an area of approximately 125 square miles of land, most of it sparsely populated. As of the 2010 census the population of Champion township was 297. The population center, in the village of Champion, is located in the southern part of the township along the east-west corridor of highway US-41/M-28 approximately 30 miles west of the city of Marquette.
The Champion of today is but a dim reflection of the Champion of the past. In the late 1800's and early 1900's Champion was a bustling iron mining town of almost 2500 people with over a dozen iron ore mines dotting the landscape. Of these, the Champion Mine was the largest and most productive. The village now known as Champion was then two towns, Beacon and Champion. Beacon was located on the hill south of the valley and Champion lay in the valley and to the north. Each had its own post office, business district, and residents. The Champion Mine was located in Beacon. Some maps still show Champion and Beacon as separate towns.
The Champion of today is but a dim reflection of the Champion of the past. In the late 1800's and early 1900's Champion was a bustling iron mining town of almost 2500 people with over a dozen iron ore mines dotting the landscape. Of these, the Champion Mine was the largest and most productive. The village now known as Champion was then two towns, Beacon and Champion. Beacon was located on the hill south of the valley and Champion lay in the valley and to the north. Each had its own post office, business district, and residents. The Champion Mine was located in Beacon. Some maps still show Champion and Beacon as separate towns.
With the closure of most of the area mines in the early 1900's the population of Champion began to diminish. The Champion Mine was opened and closed several times in the 1900's, but closed for the final time in 1967. More information on the Champion Mine can be found here.
With the closure of most of the area mines in the early 1900's the population of Champion began to diminish. The Champion Mine was opened and closed several times in the 1900's, but closed for the final time in 1967. More information on the Champion Mine can be found here.
Besides mining, the railroad, timber industry, and even agriculture have played an important part in Champion's history. Champion was long a railway hub being at the juncture between the east-west railroads and the railways going south to Milwaukee and Chicago. The depots in Champion were a busy part of life in the towns of Champion and Beacon. Passenger service continued into the early 1970's and freight trains continue today, but there is no longer a depot and the daily trains only stop for crew changes or maintenance.
Besides mining, the railroad, timber industry, and even agriculture have played an important part in Champion's history. Champion was long a railway hub being at the juncture between the east-west railroads and the railways going south to Milwaukee and Chicago. The depots in Champion were a busy part of life in the towns of Champion and Beacon. Passenger service continued into the early 1970's and freight trains continue today, but there is no longer a depot and the daily trains only stop for crew changes or maintenance.
Logging continues to play an important role in the economics of the area. Timber harvesters, log truck drivers, and timber products companies employ many area residents. The Potlatch sawmill in Gwinn, the Louisiana-Pacific mill in Sagola, the Verso Paper mills in Quinnesec and Escanaba along with several other smaller mills in the U.P. use timber grown and harvested in Champion Township.
Logging continues to play an important role in the economics of the area. Timber harvesters, log truck drivers, and timber products companies employ many area residents. The Potlatch sawmill in Gwinn, the Louisiana-Pacific mill in Sagola, the Verso Paper mills in Quinnesec and Escanaba along with several other smaller mills in the U.P. use timber grown and harvested in Champion Township.
Although no longer known for its agriculture, Champion was once a large potato producing area. The rich soil beneath land cleared from ancient forests, along with a favorable climate, produced bountiful bushels of potatoes in the mid-1900's and Champion was widely recognized for its quality potato crops.
Although no longer known for its agriculture, Champion was once a large potato producing area. The rich soil beneath land cleared from ancient forests, along with a favorable climate, produced bountiful bushels of potatoes in the mid-1900's and Champion was widely recognized for its quality potato crops.
Today, Champion is a quiet town with less than 300 residents. The major attractions in the area are Van Riper State Park on the eastern end of Lake Michigamme and Michigamme Shores Campground a couple miles down the shore of the lake. The annual horse pulling competitions held for over 50 years at the Champion Horse Pulling Grounds are no longer held, but hope remains for their return.
Today, Champion is a quiet town with less than 300 residents. The major attractions in the area are Van Riper State Park on the eastern end of Lake Michigamme and Michigamme Shores Campground a couple miles down the shore of the lake. The annual horse pulling competitions held for over 50 years at the Champion Horse Pulling Grounds are no longer held, but hope remains for their return.