Norway Michigan: A Classic Community
Photo credit: Mountain Media House
We had the opportunity to interview Norway City Manager Ray Anderson for this piece that highlights news and current happenings of interest in the community of Norway. We hope you enjoy it and learn a few things that might surprise you.
The City of Norway, population 2,774, is located in Dickinson County in Upper Michigan, along the Menominee River and the Wisconsin border. Norway honors the rich history of the Scandinavian people, as evidenced by the Viking ship replicas that mark the main entrances to town. This tradition is complemented by a city council that anticipates the future needs of its residents.
When we met with Ray for this article, his main priority was ensuring a successful State Little League Tournament for 8-10-year-olds at Norway’s Marion Park complex. Sixteen teams from across Michigan were in town in late July, competing for the state title. The tournament is an opportunity to showcase the City’s amenities and multi-use recreational areas to a broad audience of attendees.
Photo credit: Mountain Media House
Little League fun aside, there is much to celebrate in this small town in Dickinson County.
Infrastructure keeps pace with trends
A priority of the City of Norway is working to encourage residential development on nearly 200 acres of City-owned property along Oak Crest Drive. The property is suitable for single-family, condominium, and duplex developments. The property has electricity installed, and the City is looking for a developer to provide water, sewer, and 1 Gig broadband fiber connections. This new community development will boast quick access to Marion Park, Piers Gorge Recreation Area, and the Oak Crest Golf Course, as well as the downtown corridor.
Speaking of broadband, while Norway operates one of the oldest cable systems in the country, they have kept up with Broadband demand. They now offer 1 Gig fiber connections in addition to cable TV subscriptions while continually looking for opportunities to expand their broadband access to more rural areas.
The City of Norway operates a robust and green energy hydroelectric dam system on the Menominee River that produces 95% of the energy needed by the community. In fact, 108% of demand was produced last year. The City was able to sell the excess power through their energy partner – WPPI Energy. As a result, the electric system has a high level of reliability and peace of mind that the green power production maintains the area’s clean environment.
Norway is also home to the only Level 3 electric vehicle charging station in the Upper Peninsula. The City recognized the changing infrastructure trend required by electric vehicles and installed the charging station in a prominent downtown location on Main St. in 2020. As demand increases, the City will expand with additional charging stations.
Norway is known for its superior water quality, and it has been independently validated by the American Water Works Association and Michigan Rural Water Association. The City has twice entered the competition and won on both entries. The Norway Spring is a popular natural spring at the west entrance to the City for visitors near and far. Residents from neighboring communities and tourists alike fill their water bottles and containers with fresh, cool, and delicious spring water.
Outdoor activities surround the City
Getting out into nature in Norway is as simple as stepping out your door. A growing network of interconnected parks, trails, lakes, and rivers encircle the City proper and make access to year-round recreational opportunities fast and easy from all neighborhoods. Whether you are a seasoned runner, occasional walker, active biker, ORV, or snowmobile enthusiast, you will find many opportunities to get out and enjoy the trails and park areas.
Photo credit: Mountain Media House
You can traverse the area by visiting Strawberry Lake Park, Hanbury Lake Park, Marion Park, the Norway Myr Wetlands, and the Norway Spring Park, all of which surround the town’s center. In particular, the Strawberry Lake amenities are closest to downtown and appeal to all ages and abilities.
The City of Norway enjoys a robust partnership with the Dickinson Trail Network (DTN). It recently added 20 miles of new interconnected, non-motorized trails strategically around the community.
The Ogee trails at Marion Park are for all ability levels and connect Marion Park to the Piers Gorge Recreation Area on the Menominee River. In October, DTN will host the Ogee Challenge at Marion Park, the first mountain bike race of its type to grace the area in more than 25 years. Recently, Norway and DTN collaborated to complete enhanced trail mapping to document trail locations for emergency services.
As we spoke, Ray joked that back in the mid-1990s a community engagement session identified the tagline, City of Trails, as a goal, but at the time, “there wasn’t a foot of actual trail to speak of.” Now, two decades later, Norway can fully represent that moniker.
Photo credit: Mountain Media House
For those interested in motorized recreation, Norway welcomes ORVs, ATVs, and snowmobile users on city streets, making for easy mobility throughout the community and quick access to services such as gas stations and restaurants.
While parks and outdoor recreation are a major focus in the community and are easily accessible from all points across the town, they are not the only amenities.
Smallmouth bass anglers know the section of the Menominee River that has one of the best fishing locations in the Midwest, drawing fishing guides and enthusiasts each season.
Also along the banks of the Menominee River are four rustic campsites, which are in the process of being updated as part of a local area Eagle Scout’s service project.
A strong sense of community and tradition
Each October, the Leif Erickson Fall Festival is held, honoring the town’s name and celebrating all aspects of the Viking heritage. The festival offers many activities, including a parade, art and antique displays, musical performances, and the unique funeral pyre, boat burning on the Night of the Viking.
Ray regularly meets with K-12 students at Norway Public Schools to keep them engaged in what happens in their community. Students have provided input on issues such as recreational activities for youth and curfew initiatives. The City also educates students on topics that the city prioritizes, such as water conservation and green energy.
Norway boasts a classic downtown that holds all the charm you might expect to find. Its restaurants offer outdoor dining options and outdoor activities, such as beach volleyball nights.
Photo credit: Mountain Media House
The Norway Band Shell on Main Street is your destination for live music on summer evenings. Norway has the longest continuously performing municipal band in Michigan. The City Band performs throughout the summer, led by Senator Ed McBroom. On Thursday evenings throughout the summer, Music in the Park features local and regional musical acts.
With its ideal gateway location, abundant natural attractions, and classic Main Street, Norway offers a distinct UP experience in Dickinson County, with plenty of options for families, adventure-seekers, and people of all ages to get outside and enjoy a classic small Midwestern town.
Splendid article and promotion for the City of Norway and the area. Great job with the interview completed with Ray Anderson noting the attributes of Norway and the progress that has taken place over the past several years.
Great article, almost makes me want to move to Norway!
John, you just stay on your side of Iron Mountain mister.
No, you can come join us here in Norway when you want to. We will be happy to welcome you and Bev.
Judy
May I add that Norway boasts the City-owned Jake Menghini Memorial Museum at the west entrance to town. A tour of the facilities offers the experience of touring the village at the beginning of the 1900s. In addition, the $5 admission opens the door to the 1890s farmhouse built by Anton Odill, the miner who dug the first test pit that opened the iron boom in Norway. The Odill family operated the Odill Soda Pop factory on these premises for half a century. On October 9, 2021, Leif Erickson Fall Festival, Jake’s Log Cabin will be dedicated and opened to public viewing. This cabin is a former half-way house and stagecoach stop that was part of the Holmes Logging farm in north Dickinson County. It’s significance was not lost on Jake Menghini who took it apart log by log and reconstructed it on his Chestnut Street property where for decades he delighted school children and visitors with the history of the community he loved. It all began in the Holmes cabin! Last, but not least, the museum proper holds a complete genealogy center holding files of Norway families, and medical, educational, business, religious, etc collections to help with local research.
Thanks for the expose on the Coty of Norway.
Great article about the city of Norway. The Leif Erikson Fall Festival takes place October 8-9 this year. Please visit http://www.leiferiksonfest.com for more information.
I was born in Norway, Michigan in 1942. We left for Wisconsin within a year then Washington state when i was 6 so unfortunately i missed out on living my heritage. My grandfather and grandmother both immigrated from Sweden. Their 13 children are scattered across the UP and lower Michigan and Wisconsin. My time is getting short to travel and touch base with the places my parents talked about when i was growing up. Thank you for this article , it stirs my desire to travel to the place of my birth.
I was born in Norway, Michigan in 1944. My father joined the military after working in the mine, he found it wasn’t his calling, as the old saying goes and left. He married my mother after basic training and was sent overseas, thus leaving my mother to live with my grandfather and fortunately my father was able to come home for my birth in February of 1944. We remained there until my father was shipped home. My grandmother (my father’s mother) lived in VULCAN, where my father had graduated from HS. Once he returned it was a whirlwind of deployment with family and sometimes without family. Norway was always our “touchstone” when changing assignments. My parents passed away here in Washington state where I spent my HS years. My grandparents both have been gone for many years and are buried in the Norway Cemetery as are many of both sides of my family. Recently I started working on my ancestry tree and it has generated a strong desire in me to make a visit to Norway and renew the memories I have. I’m tentatively planning a trip to fly home sometime this summer and definitely looking forward to a new adventure. My grandfather was the janitor at both the HS and GS, Thomas Halls. I just found a newspaper clipping of his retirement party the students and faculty had for him, one of many treasures I have found in my mother’s belongings,
My great grandparents emigrated from Norway (the country) to Norway (Michigan) in 1880, leaving June 4 to Chicago via Liverpool England. My grandfather was born in 1882, his brother in 1880. Sadly, my great grandfather was buried in the Swedish church the same day as my grandfather was baptized. The widow and her two small sons returned to her homeland soon afterwards, but I have been unable ti find which year or date. Anyway, I wonder if there is any possibility of a grave (or paper records) stlll existing? An existing tombstone would be worth a visit!
Some names:
Great grandfather Carl (or Carl Johan) Eklund
Spouse Marthine
Grandfather Filip Johan
His brother Albert
Best regards, and thanks for a very interesting article,
Trygve Eklund