National Register Listing

Marquette County Courthouse

400 S. 3rd St., Marquette, MI
Local significance of the building:
Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

politics government architecture Civil War forts military
Michigan played an important role in the Women's Suffrage Movement. In 1918, Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to grant women the right to vote, two years before the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Michigan random facts
Marquette County, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Ojibwe and Menominee tribes. These tribes relied on the area's abundant natural resources, such as fish, game, and copper.

In the 17th century, French explorers arrived in the area, attracted by the region's valuable resources. They established trade relations with the native tribes and established several fur trading posts. The French presence in the area declined in the early 18th century, and control of the region passed to the British as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

In the mid-19th century, Marquette County experienced a boom with the discovery of iron ore deposits. The opening of the Marquette Iron Range in the 1840s led to a surge in population and development. The city of Marquette was founded in 1849 and became a center for iron ore mining and shipping.

The mining industry in Marquette County continued to grow throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting immigrants from Europe, particularly Finland, Sweden, and Italy. These immigrants played a significant role in the development of the region, bringing their expertise in mining and shaping the cultural landscape of the area.

Today, Marquette County continues to be an important center for mining and natural resource extraction. The region also boasts a diverse economy, including tourism, education, and healthcare. The rich history and natural beauty of the area attract visitors from around the world, making Marquette County an important destination for both recreation and industry.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Marquette County, Michigan.

  • 1673 - First recorded visit to Marquette County by French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet.
  • 1849 - Marquette County established as a territory within the state of Michigan.
  • 1850 - First permanent settlement established in what is now Marquette County.
  • 1855 - Marquette becomes the county seat.
  • 1863 - Marquette Iron Range discovered, leading to a major mining boom.
  • 1889 - Northern Michigan University founded in Marquette.
  • 1892 - Marquette becomes one of the largest iron ore shipping ports on the Great Lakes.
  • 1927 - Completion of the Marquette Branch Prison, now known as the Marquette Branch Prison Complex.
  • 1959 - Closure of the last operating iron ore mine in Marquette County.
  • 1979 - Construction of the Upper Peninsula's only oil refinery begins in Marquette County.