Ahmeek was uniquely name after the Ojibwa Indiana Tribe. The name means “beaver”, which fits the city perfectly because the city contained many beavers. Ahmeek is located in Keweenaw County, which is in the western end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

In 1904 John Bosch, founded the city. Mining was the driving force of the area of Ahmeek. The minds started opening in 1902 and people were still mining in 1959. The mines in Ahmeek were acquired by Calumet and Hecla after 1922 but the managed to stay open until 1959. From the census in 1910 to the census in 1920 the mining jobs decreased by 38.3%. One reason the mining jobs might have decreased is because there was a mine strike in 1913-1914. Miners did not start mining again until April of 1914. The counts of copper were down in 1914 because it was four months into the year when the miners started to do their job again. Another big part of the city was the churches that were coming in. The first church to open the doors in Ahmeek was Allouez-Ahmeek Methodist Church. They moved their church structure, which was built in 1848 to Ahmeek in 1914. The second church to open the doors was the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church; they also moved their church’s foundation to Ahmeek in 1920. The third church was Ahmeek Sacred Heart Church. They built the churches own structure in 1927. Years later the church was renamed to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

 

The population of the city has greatly changed from the 1920 census to the 2000 census. In 1920 the population was 892 people. In 1990 the population was 148, and luckily there was an increase in the population in the 2000 census, which counted to be 158. There was a total of an 82% decrease in the population. Also the population age group change quite a bit as well. In 1910 the majority of the age group was 19 years old; which happened to be 44.6% of the town’s population. In 1990 the middle age group was 57 years old. Even though there is 70 years apart in the two years, the age is extremely different.

Even though Ahmeek happens to be a small city that does not mean there is not things to do there or even near by the city. If you enjoy nature you can go to the Lower Falls Waterfalls in the Gratiot River; which is just 3.5 miles southwest of the city. If you are looking to have a home away from home while you are on vacation stay at the Ahmeek House. The Ahmeek House is located right in the city. There is also the Sunset Bay RV Resort Campground and Cabins. This campground is also located right in the city. One activity that you might really enjoy doing is golf. You are able to go golfing at the 9 hole golf course located right in Ahmeek. The golf course is called Sandy Pebbles Golf Course. For the people who really enjoy shopping or looking at antiques you are able to go to the True North Antique Shop in the city. If you are looking for the handmade wood furniture or some wooden home decor, Ahmeek has the place for you to visit. Stop at the Timber Ridge Furniture and pick up anything from outdoor furniture to bathroom accessories to bedroom furniture and even home decor.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), all land.

Based on total area, Ahmeek holds the distinction of being the largest incorporated community, in the largest county (Keweenaw County, 5,965.96 square miles (water and land; Marquette County is largest Michigan county by land area only) in the largest state (Michigan, 96,716.11 square miles), east of the Mississippi River, located within the United States. See County statistics of the United States.

The tip of the Keweenaw is said to be in the Copper Country and on the Copper Island.

The Lower Falls is an area tourist attraction.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 157 people, 82 households, and 36 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,237.9 per square mile (866.0/km²). There were 120 housing units at an average density of 1,710.5 per square mile (661.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.82% White, 0.64% Asian, and 2.55% from two or more races. 29.1% were of Finnish, 19.6% Italian, 12.2% German, 12.2% English and 7.4% French ancestry.

There were 82 households out of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.9% were non-families. 48.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the village the population was spread out with 19.1% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 137.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $24,231, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $21,563 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,188. About 8.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 5.9% of those sixty five or over.