MARQUETTE — Presently one of the safest places to gather with family and friends is outdoors. Over the years, from the earliest days of Marquette, a popular outside activity has been picnicking.

Picnicking as we know it came about during the Victorian age in England. It soon became a pleasurable past time in the United States. Today families and friends frequently go on picnics, whether at popular spots such as Presque Isle or along one of our many rivers, waterfalls, and lakes.

It has been a past time in the local area for years. As early as 1850, Amos Harlow spoke of picnicking with family at Partridge Island and Presque Isle.

In 1877, the islands on Lake Michigamme were promoted by The Mining Journal as the newest, and best picnic spot, with one island even being named Pic Nic Island. Today we share some picnic scenes from the past.