LONGYEAR

As winter settles in and holiday traditions return, Marquette has many of its own to celebrate! Here are a few highlights from our city’s holiday history: In 1914, Marquette hosted its first municipal Christmas tree on Washington Street. This event began a beloved tradition of music, celebration, and community gatherings that continues to this day. The Marquette Christmas Parade launched in 1980 and has become a holiday season staple. Floats, marching bands, and local businesses bring families from across the region together to celebrate downtown Marquette. At JM Longyear, we honor the legacy of John Longyear, whose generosity and commitment to the community continue to inspire us. His spirit of giving is especially meaningful during the holiday season as we focus on efforts that bring people together. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? #Longyear #Marquette #Traditions #Holidays

At Longyear, we’re proud to call Marquette home. Small businesses are a big part of what makes this community special, from local shops to restaurants and coffee shops that bring the area to life. With the holiday season upon us, we encourage you to support the small businesses that make Marquette unique. Every purchase helps our community grow stronger and more connected. Let’s continue to support Marquette and the businesses that make it unique! #smallbusiness #marquette #shoplocal #community

Happy Thanksgiving from our Longyear Team! We’re reflecting on some of the memorable moments we’re thankful for. From attending historical events about our founder, hosting tours of our building, and team building at our annual cleanup event to receiving awards from the local community, we are grateful for all the experiences that define and shape Longyear. Most of all, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team and our impact on our community. Here’s to all the milestones we’ve reached and the exciting opportunities ahead. #longyear #communitysupport #thankful

As we wrap up this history series, we’re reminded of how it all began: John Munro Longyear’s work in iron ore, land stewardship, and land exploration. His vision laid the groundwork for a thriving community in Marquette, and today, that vision continues to grow in new and exciting ways. We’re grateful to everyone in Marquette who has been part of this journey. From the industries that power our economy to the natural spaces that bring us together, every contribution has shaped our community. Together, we’re building on the foundation Longyear created, with recent developments from local businesses and infrastructure to growing educational programs, paving the way for the future. Here’s to all those who continue to move Marquette forward. We’re proud of our past and look forward to all that’s ahead. #Marquette #History #JohnLongyear #IronOre #Community

John Longyear’s impact on the Upper Peninsula goes beyond conservation and industry, and he played an important role in founding Northern Michigan University and Michigan Tech University. Longyear strongly advocated for public investment in local education, emphasizing the importance of the community’s growth and stability. Through his connections in the mining and timber industry, he helped secure resources and support for Michigan Tech, initially established as the Michigan Mining School to train engineers for the region’s mining industry. Longyear also supported NMU’s early development, helping to establish Marquette as a center for education in the U.P. By contributing land and aligning university programs with industry needs, he ensured that local students had direct paths into valuable careers that would support the area’s economy. Today, these universities continue to follow Longyear’s vision, graduating students in fields like engineering, forestry, and environmental science, skills essential to sustaining the region. Every graduating class and new research project carries on Longyear’s mission to keep Marquette a place of learning, growth, and opportunity.

John Munro Longyear wasn’t just a pioneer of industry—he was also influential in creating one of the most exclusive and secluded wilderness clubs in the United States: the Huron Mountain Club (HMC). Founded in 1889 by a group of well-known outdoor enthusiasts, including Longyear, the HMC was established to protect and enjoy the rugged beauty of the Huron Mountains, located about 30 miles northwest of Marquette. Longyear, with his deep appreciation for the land, helped secure the pristine wilderness that would become the heart of the Huron Mountain Club. His efforts weren’t just on paper—he built a personal camp within the club, which became a retreat for him and his family. Surrounded by the forests and rivers he helped protect, Longyear’s camp reflected his commitment to the conservation of the U.P.’s natural landscapes. Today, the Huron Mountain Club embodies John Longyear’s vision of enjoying and respecting the outdoors. It’s a reminder that the wild beauty of our region deserves protection and appreciation, just as it did back when Longyear first stepped into the untouched landscape he helped preserve. #HistorySeries #HuronMountainClub #JohnLongyear #UpperPeninsula #Conservation #LocalHistory

Building on the foundation laid by Presque Isle Park, we now shift our focus to another aspect of John Longyear’s lasting legacy—his impact on Marquette’s broader trail system and outdoor recreation. John Longyear wasn’t just a businessman; he was a conservationist with a deep appreciation for nature. His efforts extended beyond urban green spaces like Presque Isle, influencing trail development throughout the region. Land under Longyear’s stewardship was instrumental in expanding access to natural spaces, much of which is now part of the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN). These trails, known today for their rugged beauty and year-round accessibility, provide opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and skiing—activities that bring both locals and visitors closer to Marquette’s wilderness. The legacy of Longyear’s conservation efforts is visible in the way the community continues to enjoy these preserved landscapes. By ensuring that portions of his land would be dedicated to public use, Longyear helped create a foundation for outdoor recreation that thrives to this day. Whether you're out on the NTN or exploring trails closer to town, you’re walking in the footsteps of Longyear’s vision for a balance between industrial progress and natural preservation. #HistorySeries #MarquetteTrails #JohnLongyear #NoquemanonTrailNetwork #OutdoorRecreation

Presque Isle Park, established in 1886, is one of Marquette’s most cherished natural spaces, showcasing the city’s commitment to preserving its stunning shoreline along Lake Superior. The vision for the park emerged when local leaders recognized the importance of accessible green spaces for community well-being. Key figures in this effort included John Munro Longyear and Peter White, who played an important role in securing land for the park. They believed in the importance of encouraging a strong connection between residents and nature. Notably, the park’s trails were designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, known for his work on New York's Central Park. Olmsted's design emphasized the natural beauty of the landscape, providing scenic paths that invite exploration and enjoyment. Today, Presque Isle Park stands as a lively center for outdoor activities, from nature walks to scenic gatherings, and remains a cherished destination for both our local community and our visitors. In our next post, we’ll explore John Munro Longyear’s significant contributions to the local trail system and his enduring impact on outdoor recreation in our community. #HistoryofMarquette #PresqueIslePark #FrederickLawOlmsted #OutdoorRecreation

Longyear is excited to share that our portfolio company, Able Medical Devices, has started building their new state-of-the-art facility in Marquette! This expansion strengthens their production while staying rooted in the community. Check out the press release for more information: https://bit.ly/3zyNjat #Longyear #AbleMedical #MarquetteGrowth

John Munro Longyear and Peter White—two visionaries who crossed paths and made a lasting impact on Marquette. Longyear, a prominent figure in timber and mining, and White, a banker and philanthropist, joined forces to drive the city's development. They played a key role in establishing Northern State Normal School (now Northern Michigan University) in 1899, making higher education more accessible to the region. Additionally, they expanded the Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad, enhancing transportation for both the mining industry and the community. Their shared passion for community development also led to the founding of the Peter White Public Library in 1891, a key element of Marquette’s cultural scene. Beyond infrastructure, they protected Marquette’s natural heritage by securing land that would become Presque Isle Park in 1886, preserving it as a public space for all to enjoy. Longyear and White’s partnership not only built the physical foundations of Marquette but also sustained its spirit of community and progress. Since both had a shared passion for community development, we’ll next discuss the vision for shaping Presque Isle Park and the contributions made to enhancing our community’s outdoor spaces. #HistoryofMarquette #JohnLongyear #PeterWhite #PeterWhitePublicLibrary #HistoricalFigures