The City of Wakefield which is 4 miles East of Bessemer surrounds Sunday Lake. According to the U.S. Census of 1990, the population at that time was 2318 people. Wakefield was first discovered as it were, when Iron ore was found near Sunday Lake in 1881. Later the first home was set up which included an early school for the railroad men's children at siding 339 which is now a stretch of woods and an old railroad grade approx 1 mile West of town. The siding 339 settlement was founded by railroad man Luke Sweet and his family, and his wife would teach the children at their makeshift school.
The city was named after George M Wakefield who was a mine owner of the time and who originally surveyed the towns location. The City has quite an interesting history. Today the "Main Street" of town is Sunday Lake Street, but early in it's history the town had used Nunimacher Street as it's main business district. But back in the Winter of 1887 that all changed when similar to the story of the cow that started the famous Chicago fire, a pet monkey owned by a local business man knocked over a kerosene lamp and in one night the main business district burned to the ground. When the town started to rebuild, they put the businesses in the current Sunday Lake Street configuration.
Another bit of Wakefield trivia is that at one time there were so many Iron mines operating in the area that Wakefield had the distinction of being the richest city in the United States per capita. (Believe it or Not!)
But alas, times change. The Open Pit Iron Mine on the West end of town closed in the late 1950's as did the other mines in the area in the 50's and 60's and the residents had to find other work or move from the area. Today, the city lives on with numerous small businesses, logging operations, and tourism.
Tourists flock to the area in summer and winter due to the city's close proximity to many scenic spots such as the Presque Isle Park and the several waterfalls near the park. Also the hunting, fishing, the skiing and snowmobiling, and just the scenic beauty draw many a visitor to town.
In summer months Wakefield is often site of major boat races on Sunday Lake, as well as an ideal spot to camp and sight see from. If interested in Wakefield history, be sure to stop at the Wakefield Historical Museum on Sunday Lake Street if you ever have the chance to visit us. Also for your information, there is the local visitors center located on the South side of Sunday Lake near the Indian Totem along M-28 not far from the MI State Police Post.
The following is a MAP of the City of Wakefield which may be of interest and we apologize for any errors that may be on it. As always, this site subject to change and corrections and we are always happy to hear from someone that may find an error to be corrected.
Being that your Webmaster is a life long Wakefield resident, I especially would like to be informed if there are errors on this map...
E-Mail me at: Gogebic Co So Webmaster
Thanks...
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We thank you for visiting and hope you may have the opportunity to visit Wakefield in person some day.
For those of you who would like to learn more about the City of Wakefield you may click on this link page. Wakefield, Michigan Home Page When finished if you wish to return to this map page please use your back button on your browser.