Keweenaw Co. Jail, Photo Courtesy of Bill Carney © 1999
Formation of Keweenaw Co.
From: Pioneer Society of Michigan; Reports of Counties, Etc. pg. 218 Vol. I
KEWEENAW COUNTY
Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That all that portion of Houghton County lying north of township 55 north, of range 31 east and north of township 56, in ranges 32 and 33 west,
including Manitou Islands of Lake Superior, and Isle Royal, be and the same is hereby organized into a new county to be known as the county of Keweenaw.
Section 2. The county seat shall be and is hereby located in the village of Eagle River, and said county is hereby called Keweenaw, and declared a body corporate and politic, with all the powers and
duties conferred upon or required of organized counties by the constitution and laws of this State.
Section 5. The district judge shall fix the time for holding the district court in the said county of Keweenaw.
Approved March 11, 1861
KEWEENAW - An Indian name derived from Kee-wi-wai-non-ing, signifying a portage, or place where portage is made.
County seat is Eagle River, in Houghton Township. Settled in 1850.
