kids encyclopedia robot

Bessemer Township, Michigan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Bessemer Township, Michigan
Location within Gogebic County
Location within Gogebic County
Bessemer Township, Michigan is located in Michigan
Bessemer Township, Michigan
Bessemer Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Bessemer Township, Michigan is located in the United States
Bessemer Township, Michigan
Bessemer Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Michigan
County Gogebic
Area
 • Total 115.4 sq mi (298.9 km2)
 • Land 113.8 sq mi (294.9 km2)
 • Water 1.6 sq mi (4.0 km2)
Elevation
1,549 ft (472 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,135
 • Density 11.2/sq mi (4.3/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code(s)
49911 (Bessemer)
49947 (Marenisco)
49959 (Ramsay)
49968 (Wakefield)
Area code(s) 906
FIPS code 26-07980
GNIS feature ID 1625929

Bessemer Township is a civil township of Gogebic County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2020, its population was 1,135.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 115.4 square miles (299 km2), of which 113.8 square miles (295 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (1.35%) is water.

Communities

  • Anvil Location is a community established in 1886, associated with an iron mine, the Anvil Mine, operated by Newport Mining Company. Production at this mine spanned from 1887 to 1957, 70 years of production. It had a post office from 1918 to 1971.
  • The City of Bessemer is situated within the township, but is administratively autonomous.
  • Dunham was an unincorporated community centered on a station on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. There was a plant of the Ashland Iron and Steel Company here. It had a Post Office from 1902 until 1911.
  • Harding Location borders the southern parameters of the township, a farming community. Although some of this land is still used for farming, it is small compared to past years.
  • Puritan Location is the westernmost populated community, established in 1886. Its mine, the Ruby was operated by Oliver Mining Company and was the first of the major iron mines on the Gogebic Range to close in 1941. It had the largest public school edifice in the township, constructed in 1920 and continued operating through the school year of 1958–59. It had a Post Office from 1910 until 1953.
  • Ramsay is an unincorporated community within the township at 46°28′13″N 89°59′48″W / 46.47028°N 89.99667°W / 46.47028; -89.99667. It is on the Black River just south of U.S. Highway 2 a few miles west of Wakefield and a few miles east of Bessemer.

Keystone Arch Bridge

The Keystone Arch Bridge in Ramsay cost $48,322 (equivalent to $1.33 million in 2021 ). The Chicago & Northwestern Railway built it in 1891, using limestone quarried in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. It is 45 feet (14 m) long, 44 feet (13 m) wide, and 57 feet (17 m) tall with wing walls of 50 feet (15 m). Stone arch bridges are a rarity in Michigan.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,176 people. By 2020, its population was 1,135.

kids search engine
Bessemer Township, Michigan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.