Eagle River is a community that is not an independent city and is known as a census-designated place (CDP) in the U.S. state of Michigan. It serves as the county seat of Keweenaw County. According to the 2020 census, its population was 65, making it the least populated county seat in Michigan. Because it is not an incorporated community, Eagle River does not have the ability to make its own laws. It is located within Allouez Township and Houghton Township.
History
Eagle River was a busy town during the time when copper was mined in the Keweenaw area. Copper was found in 1845 at the Cliff Range, which was called the "Cliff Lode." The land where Eagle River is located was rented by the Keweenaw Copper Company in 1843. Later, the Phoenix Company divided the land into individual lots for sale. The first postmaster was named on October 24, 1845. Eagle River was part of Houghton County until Keweenaw County was created in 1861. By about 1870, the copper mines in the area were no longer as profitable.
The Eagle River Timber Bridge is a wooden arch bridge that allows highway M-26 to cross over the Eagle River. It was built in 1990 to replace the older Lake Shore Drive Bridge, which is nearby.
Eagle River is home to the Holy Transfiguration Skete, a Byzantine Catholic monastery and community. This group is known for making jams and other foods from berries gathered in the nearby forests. Holy Transfiguration is one of the few Byzantine Catholic monasteries in the United States.
The community of Eagle River was listed as a newly created census-designated place for the 2010 census. This means it now has official boundaries and population information for the first time.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Eagle River has a total area of about 5.96 square miles (15.44 km²), with 5.94 square miles (15.38 km²) being land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) (0.34%) being water.
Eagle River is part of both Allouez Township and Houghton Township. A very small area of 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) in Allouez Township has no residents, while most of the land and all residents are in Houghton Township.
The community is located on M-26 on the north side of the Keweenaw Peninsula along the shores of Lake Superior. It is about 27 miles (43 km) northeast of Houghton and is found at the mouth of the Eagle River. The Mohawk 49950 ZIP Code covers the area.
The Eagle River Light, which is no longer in use, is located on the west bank of the river on a sand bluff overlooking Lake Superior. However, the view is partly blocked by nearby condominiums.