Welcome to the Internet home of the Baraga County MSU Extension Director, Jim Dompier. I have been a member of the MSUE team since 1977, as a 4-H agent and District 4-H Leader. July 1996 I began my responsibilities of County Director.
Baraga County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, named after an early Missionary to the area. The population of the county is less than 8,000 people. The county has a large Native American Reservation, Keweenaw Bay, KBIC, the Native American population is more than 10% of the population. The KBIC is also the County's largest employer.
Baraga County is a popular tourist destination, and when Fred Dakota, Tribal member, set up a small gaming operation in his garage it opened the Native American gaming door. The small casino was closed only to be re-opened by the Tribal Council and today the casinos are national. The casino has become one of the largest tourist destination points in the county.
Baraga County also claims the distinction of having the highest peak in Michigan. Mount Arvon is Michigan's highest point and many people come each year to climb to the top of the this peak. The second highest point is located less than a mile away and is known as Mount Curwood.
Henry Ford not only owned vast acreage in the county, but he built his model village, Alberta, in the Baraga County just south of L'Anse the county seat. Alberta had its own water supply and electrical power, when Ford dammed a small stream and created the Alberta Lake. This model town had its own sawmill and each resident was given a home and some land to garden. In 1954 the mill and community were donated to MTU, this was used as part of the School of Forestry. The mill was converted from steam as most sawmills had converted and the MTU School of Forestry had to stay current with demands. The mill then fell into disuse, and in 1997 MTU was given a grant from the Ford Foundation to stabilize the mill and to prepare it to be open to the public as a tourist attraction. This will be formally completed with the rededication in August 1998. This will become one of the major tourist destinations in the county.
Baraga County has several hiking trails, streams and unmatched fishing for the out of door enthusiast. You may fish the inland lakes and streams as well as the "Big Lake", Superior. You may also find other sport game available in the county. Many deer hunters have enjoyed record trophy racks. You will also find a large number of black bear available for photo taking, or if your a hunter you may also find your trophy here. For many the wildflowers and mushrooms are the real treasures of the forests you will find them all in abundance.
During the winter season the Baraga County Tourist Association grooms miles of snowmobile trails, the cross country trails are also groomed and the many miles of unplowed forest roads make for excellent skiing and snowmobiling. The bay becomes a village of its own as the fisher-persons try their luck for the fresh taste of a trout.
You will find something to do all year long, come and enjoy the great fresh air of Baraga County!
Thanks for stopping by, it is my hope that you will stop by in person as you enjoy your visit to Baraga County.
Jim Dompier, Baraga County MSU Extension Director.
dompier@msue.msu.edu
This page was last updated on 11/15/98.