Menominee County is the ancestral home of
the Menominee Indians, an Algonquian-speaking tribe. In the language of
these original inhabitants, "Menominee" meant "wild rice"
which once grew abundantly in the great flats along the Menominee River.
The past still remains in the form of historical markers and Indian spirit
stones, burial mounds, footpaths, and monuments.
Today, great stands of timber and wilderness shores are still alive with
wildlife. Menominee County is interlaced with rustic roads and trails
leading to remote areas where the traveler may see a variety of native animals
and birds.
With the Menominee river on the west and Lake Michigan's Green Bay
on the east, Menominee County is almost a peninsula. Over
125 miles of shoreline borders its southern boundary. Green
Bay provides excellent yachting waters and fishing. The
Menominee River offers a variety of sport and pan fish. Both
offer swimming, boating, water skiing and canoeing.
Great Lakes Memorial Park Marina is in the heart of Menominee's
historical downtown district. It is dedicated to all the
sailors of the Great Lakes who have lost their lives since the
Griffon, the first sailing vessel on the lakes, was lost on a
voyage starting in Green Bay waters in 1679. The park has
docks for boats, a playground, a launch ramp, picnic area, and a
beautiful grassy area and bandshell where free "Concerts in
the Park" take place every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. during
the summer. Adding to the entertainment, boaters entertain
you with their colorful sailboat races.
Menominee County has several golf courses, most open to the
public. The Menominee County Historical Museum at 904 11th
Avenue, a half block east of Hwy 41, is open from
May through
September and houses an extensive collection of Indian artifacts
and items from the fur trading and logging eras.
Another historical museum located in Hermansville, north of
Menominee, is truly unique. The IXL Historical Museum is
named from the logo of the historical Wisconsin Land & Lumber
Company, a large lumbering operation that manufactured nationally
famous IXL hardwood flooring.
Menominee County offers numerous outdoor activities including
fishing, swimming, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating.
November brings many, many hunters to the Northwoods!
The City of Menominee and the Marinette/Menominee Area Chamber of
Commerce sponsor a four-day Waterfront Festival featuring food
booths, free entertainment for all ages, one of the largest
displays of fireworks for miles around and a huge parade.
The festival starts on the first Thursday of August, with
fireworks on Saturday and the parade on Sunday. The last
Sunday in June is the annual "Art for All" show and sale
held in Menominee's beautiful Historic Waterfront District on
First Street. Entertainment and food booths are
available.
Menominee County allows for quieter times as well in its four
seasons. Rustic county roads and forest trails meander
through its many public acres for those who prefer to watch or
photograph wildlife and wildflowers for relaxation and enjoyment.
Menominee North Pier Light Station
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