Spurr Township is a civil township of Baraga County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 262 at the 2020 census.[3]
Spurr Township, Michigan | |
|---|---|
 Location within Baraga County (red) and the administered CDP of Three Lakes (pink) | |
  Spurr Township Location within the state of Michigan  Spurr Township Location within the United States | |
| Coordinates: 46°31′47″N 88°12′49″W / 46.52972°N 88.21361°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County |  Baraga |
| Area | |
| • Total | 159.0 sq mi (411.9 km2) |
| • Land | 150.8 sq mi (390.6 km2) |
| • Water | 8.2 sq mi (21.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,745 ft (532 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 262 |
| • Density | 2/sq mi (0.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 26-76000[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627115[2] |
History
editThe township had been organized while it was part of Houghton County. It was one of the four original townships of Baraga County when it was set off from Houghton in 1875. It is named for "Spurr Mountain", the site of an iron ore mine, first named the "Spurr Mountain Mining Company", organized in 1872. Operations ceased in 1878, and then resumed again in 1881 under a reorganized "Spurr Iron Mining Company".[4] A post office named "Spurr Mountain" opened December 30, 1874, and was discontinued December 15, 1887. It was reestablished June 4, 1890, and operated until June 30, 1896.[5]
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 159.0 square miles (411.9 km2), of which 150.8 square miles (390.6 km2) is land, and 8.2 square miles (21.3 km2) (5.16%) is water.[6]
Communities
editThere are no incorporated municipalities in the township. There are a few unincorporated communities and historic locales:
- Beaufort Lake is an unincorporated community in the township.
- Nestoria is an unincorporated community at 46°34′13″N 88°15′49″W / 46.57028°N 88.26361°W[7] about 14 miles (23 km) east of Covington on US 41/M-28. The name comes from the Nestor Lumber Company, which was operating in the area when the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway (now part of the Soo Line Railroad) built its lines in the region. A depot established near the lumber operations in 1871 was called "Nestoria". A post office was established with the name "Nestoria" on May 11, 1887, and the name of the office was changed to the present spelling on June 4, 1887. The office closed on April 30, 1892, but was re-opened on May 7, 1895. The office was discontinued on February 1, 1974.[8][9]
- Imperial Heights is an unincorporated community located about a mile west of Michigamme on the Spurr River near the west end of Lake Michigamme at 46°32′01″N 88°07′52″W / 46.53361°N 88.13111°W.[10]
- Three Lakes is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) within the township.
Demographics
editAccording to the 2020 census, the township had a population of 262.[11]
References
edit- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Spurr Township, Michigan
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ History of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Western Historical Co. Chicago: Western Historical Co.1883. pg. 203.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Spurr Mountain Post Office (historical)
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Spurr township, Baraga County, Michigan". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nestoria, Michigan
- ^ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nestoria Post Office (historical)
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Imperial Heights, Michigan
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 4, 2023.