Bessemer, Michigan

Bessemer, Michigan
City
City of Bessemer
Downtown Bessemer along S. Sophie Street
Downtown Bessemer along S. Sophie Street
Location within Gogebic County
Location within Gogebic County
Bessemer is located in Michigan
Bessemer
Bessemer
Location within the state of Michigan
Bessemer is located in the United States
Bessemer
Bessemer
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 46°28′41″N 90°03′05″W / 46.47806°N 90.05139°W / 46.47806; -90.05139
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyGogebic
Settled1880
Platted1884
Incorporated1887 (village)
1889 (city)
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorAdam Zak
 • ManagerVacant
Area
 • Total
5.50 sq mi (14.24 km2)
 • Land5.50 sq mi (14.24 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,424 ft (434 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,805
 • Density328.3/sq mi (126.74/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code(s)
49911
Area code906
FIPS code26-07960
GNIS feature ID0621184
WebsiteOfficial website

Bessemer is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 1,805. It is the county seat of Gogebic County.

The city is surrounded by Bessemer Township, but the two are administered autonomously. It is on U.S. Route 2 with Ironwood to the west and Wakefield to the east. The Big Powderhorn and Snowriver ski resorts are located within a few miles of Bessemer. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also very popular in this area, due to lake-effect snow influenced by nearby Lake Superior; the area is often referred to as "Big Snow Country." Recreational opportunities in the summer months include Bluff Valley Park, the scenic Black River Falls, and access to the Iron Belle Trail.

History

Vintage picture of Downtown Bessemer (Sophie Street)

In 1880, a hunter and trapper Richard Langford, discovered iron ore under an overturned birch tree. However, Captain N. D. Moore is credited with disclosing the ore which led to the development of the Colby property. Mining began in 1883. By 1884, the Milwaukee Lake Shore and Western Railroad (later the Chicago and Northwestern) was being built from Antigo, WI to Ashland, WI by way of the new mines. The railroad company plotted the town of Bessemer in 1884. On June 4, 1886 Gogebic County was separated from Ontonagon County. In March 1887, 360 voting members assembled and voted to organize the village of Bessemer. In the same year Gogebic County was officially created by the Michigan Legislature. Also in the year Bessemer and Ironwood called an election to see which city would be the county seat and also have the Gogebic County Courthouse. Ironwood men traveling to Bessemer to vote were made drunk and the train did not stop at the voting site. Ironwood lost and Bessemer gained the county seat. From 1884 to December 31, 1958, a period of seventy-five years, the iron ore shipment from all of Gogebic County totaled over 245 million tons. In 1966 the last mine in Bessemer, the Peterson Mine, closed. Many left the area to work in car factories in Kenosha, and the local economy underwent a serious decline.

Bessemer is named for Sir Henry Bessemer (1813-1898), English inventor of steel manufacturing.

Government

Bessemer is operated by an elected 5-member city council with day-to-day operations run by an appointed city manager. Staff also consists of administrative staff, public works department, and library staff. Bessemer also belongs to the Gogebic Range Water Authority.

City Council

City Manager

Bessemer City Hall, Public Library and Fire Hall.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.47 square miles (14.17 km2), all land. Majority of Bessemer is situated on the north side of Colby Hill and the city consists of many hills and valleys.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,566—
19003,91152.4%
19104,58317.2%
19205,48219.6%
19304,035−26.4%
19404,0801.1%
19503,509−14.0%
19603,304−5.8%
19702,805−15.1%
19802,553−9.0%
19902,272−11.0%
20002,148−5.5%
20101,905−11.3%
20201,805−5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Bessemer had a population of 1,805. The median age was 48.2 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.5 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 877 households in Bessemer, of which 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.5% were married-couple households, 26.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,109 housing units, of which 20.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.

Racial composition as of the 2020 census
RaceNumberPercent
White1,68693.4%
Black or African American120.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native140.8%
Asian30.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander00.0%
Some other race30.2%
Two or more races874.8%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)281.6%

News/media

Newspapers

Area radio station coverage

Local television station coverage

Transportation

Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Ironwood, while Gogebic County operates a small public bus system, the Gogebic County Transit Authority.

Commercial air service is available at the Gogebic-Iron County Airport (IWD) north of Ironwood.

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Bessemer". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Western U.P. Skiing - Big Snow Country Downhill and Cross Country Skiing - Ironwood, Bessemer, Wakefield, Porcupine Mountains, Upper Peninsula Michigan". www.westernup.com. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "History of Bessemer". www.cityofbessemer.org. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "City Council". City of Bessemer, Michigan. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  8. ↑ "City Manager". City of Bessemer, Michigan. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  12. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  13. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  14. ↑ "St. Ignace–Sault Ste. Marie–Ironwood" (PDF). Indian Trails. January 15, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Al Rossi". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  16. ↑ 'Richard A. Sofio-obituary,' Ironwood Daily Globe, March 4, 2009, pg. 8

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