History

The name Munising is Chippewa meaning "Place of the Great Island". While Native Americans lived in the area for many years, in 1820 the Chippewa village was located at the mouth of the Anna River. The first town near Munising was actually built in AuTrain in 1850. The town consisted of thirty homes, one blacksmith shop, the bay furnace, a sawmill and a government lighthouse.

In 1894, Timothy Nester took a trip to Munising Bay, and while there he explored the area. In 1895, he hired men and work started on the city now known as Munising. In 1896, a post office was established and the population at that time was 500. In May of 1896, the village was incorporated. The new community grew rapidly and within one year after the first tree was cut, the population jumped to 2,500. Docks, sawmills and a tannery were built and a newspaper was printed. The courthouse was moved from AuTrain to Munising in 1901. A new fire hall and City Dock were built in 1938.

Munising has grown much more since those days, and has many things to see and do while in the area. Our central location makes us the perfection headquarters for your vacation or to raise your family!