Iron River

History

Originally settled in 1882 under the name 'Nanaimo', named after the Nanaimo iron mine, owned by the Mineral Hills Iron Company. In 1878, two brothers, Donald and Alexander MacKinnon acquired the site, and a village was platted and registered in 1881. The new town was given a station on the Chicago and North Western Railway and renamed 'Iron River' after the nearby Iron River. The settlement was incorporated as a village within Iron River Township in 1885, and as a city in 1926. On November 2, 1999, the voters of the cities of Iron River and Stambaugh and the village of Mineral Hills approved consolidation into a new city, which continued the name Iron River. The consolidation became effective July 1, 2000.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The area is noted for its vast forest land, scenic lakes, and winter sports. Iron River and the surrounding area is home of many lakes, and is not far from Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. In the summer, many people frequent the beaches, in the winter, there are often tents for ice fishing on the frozen lakes.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• West Iron County Middle High School
  High · IRON RIVER · 469 students · 19.5:1 ratio
• Stambaugh Elementary School
  Elementary · IRON RIVER · 377 students · 18:1 ratio