Manistique, MI

Manistique is the only city and county seat of Schoolcraft County, on Lake Michigan where the Manistique River opens into a natural harbor. The city takes its name from the river; it was first called Eastport, while the Eastport post office name never quite replaced the community’s own. Manistique later replaced Onota as the county seat, and breakwaters, dredging, and the red East Breakwater Light helped shape the harbor that fronts the city. The lighthouse was built in 1916 and still marks the river entrance. Manistique is an Upper Peninsula county seat where a river name, a harbor, and a red light on Lake Michigan set the scene.