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Partridge Island-Presque Isle Pavilion recalled

The pavilion at its original location on Partridge Island is pictured. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

MARQUETTE — In the late nineteenth century, Partridge Island, located just to the west of Presque Isle, had long been a favorite spot for picnickers, berry pickers, campers and other sightseers.

They would explore the rugged shoreline but few dared venture too far into its 85-acre interior.

Between 1894 and 1904, John Longyear tried unsuccessfully to have the government make Partridge Bay a harbor of refuge. The plan called for a breakwater from the west end of the island and another from Sugarloaf, providing a 460-acre site for safe anchorage, much larger than the space available at the lower harbor.

Longyear hoped that it would lead to the establishment of industries on the nearby mainland, such as a blast furnace, sawmill or another ore dock.

In 1893, Longyear purchased the “City of New Baltimore” a 100 foot steamer, to use in general shore trade as far east as Grand Island and as far west as the Copper Country. Looking to find additional uses for the boat, Longyear built a pavilion on Partridge Island in the spring of 1894.

The pavilion is seen at its second location at Presque Isle Park, after it was moved across the ice in 1898. It was damaged in a storm in 1985 and razed after that. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

Tickets for a roundtrip from the lower harbor to the island were 25 cents.

The dock and dancing hall were nearly finished by the time of the first Sunday excursion on May 27, 1894. The pavilion was on a rock ledge on the southwest corner of the island.

It had a dancing space of 32 by 60 feet and also contained dressing and cloak rooms with an orchestra stand above them.

Initially there were two Sunday excursions a month which soon increased to three. On the 4th of July, there was almost continuous dancing all day, with music by Hughes’ Orchestra. It was estimated that over 500 people attended.

Business was good enough that in 1895 Longyear purchased a larger steamer “City of Marquette” which could accommodate up to 400 passengers. But the venture didn’t last long as that winter the dock washed away in a storm and was never rebuilt, leaving the pavilion unused.

There were several reasons Longyear may have decided to abandon the project. Some of the issues cited included groups being caught in storms and the insects on the island. Another possible issue was competition from Presque Isle Park on the mainland which boasted a streetcar line and a good carriage road.

Standing unused, the building was a target of vandals and the weather, so in 1897 Longyear offered the pavilion to the city. It was moved across the ice to Presque Isle Park sometime between April and June 1898.

Once at its new location, a new roof and hardwood floor were installed. On July 9, 1898 the first ball was held at the new location, sponsored by the Swedish Crown Society.

The pavilion remained a popular dancing and picnicking spot at Presque Isle for nearly 90 years. In December 1985, the building was severely damaged in a storm. Several concrete piers washed away, resulting in the collapse of the central support beam and floor structure and causing a large crack in the north support beam.

The damaged structure was finally torn down in October 1986 and the remaining debris was burned in early January 1987. The pavilion was finally replaced in 1999 when the present stone and log pavilion was constructed.

The approximately $200,000 project was funded to a large extent by donations and in-kind services and a loan by the city of Marquette. The new building contains a kitchen, storage areas, restrooms, a covered patio including a built-in grill, and large interior open area designed for community events, small receptions and other gatherings.

Like its predecessor, the new pavilion has been the site of many events – weddings, birthdays, family & class reunions, wakes and memorials.

We hope that it serves the people of Marquette for decades to come.

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