K.I. Sawyer - from a military base to a family-oriented airport town
The U.S. Air Force launched a base in K.I. Sawyer to maintain control of the Great Lakes during World War II, known among soldiers as "K.I. Siberia." Despite its moniker and reputation for harsh winters, soldiers found it an attractive place to be because of the dense northern woods and natural surroundings. Today, its lawns have DIY gardens and driveways with basketball hoops and bicycles. The town is no longer under military control, and it is home to one of the largest airports in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. "It is a safe place [...] and the schools are good," says Les Thatcher, broker at Northern Eagle Realtors, who has worked in the area for over 30 years. "It's fabulous. That's why my kids and grandkids live out here."
Vinyl and brick ranch-style homes on evergreen-lined streets
Level lawns rest along sidewalks lined with red maple and white pine trees. This community features contemporary and ranch-style homes, ranging in price from $110,000 to $160,000. Many of these single-level homes have vinyl and exposed-brick exteriors that have undergone multiple renovations over the years. Multifamily housing is prevalent, and renters comprise a significant portion of the population. Condos are available between $60,000 and $90,000. "People move here because the rent is cheaper than anywhere else in Marquette County. Since the base turned over, it's become part of the UP."
Residents should brace for temperatures well below freezing and terrain that requires all-wheel drive in the winter. The average low winter temperature is about 5°F, and the area can receive up to 140 inches of snow accumulation. "I can drive the speed limit because we have fabulous road service. They work day and night in the wintertime," Thatcher says. "I tell people to live here for a winter before you buy, because you will be shocked. It's covered with snow and huge icicles all the time, but we know how to handle the snow."
Tree-lined golf course and several lakes within a short drive
The K.I. Sawyer Fitness Trail is a 1.5-mile paved loop with fitness stations. Like many of the trail systems in this region, it becomes an area of snowshoeing and skiing during the winter. The Red Fox Run is an 18-hole public course with tree-lined fairways. Also nearby, gravel roads lead to Little Trout Lake, which has a basketball court, picnic tables and swimming access. It is one of several lakes in the area.
Locally owned markets and restaurants in neighboring Gwinn
There are limited options for shopping and dining in K.I. Sawyer. Although it is home to the Sawyer Village Shoppette, a convenience store offering a selection of grocery items. About 5 miles south, in Little Lake, the Throttle Bar & Grill serves plates of fried seafood in a divey pub. Larry’s Family Foods is in Gwinn, a town center about 7 miles southwest. Gwinn features multiple locally owned restaurants, such as Daisy Jo’s Diner & Ice Cream Parlour, which serves homemade ice cream, sandwiches and breakfast items in a 1950s-style diner. The Up North Lodge is renowned for its ribs and cocktails in a hunting-themed log cabin. “Gwinn has the UP North Lodge, which is very nice, and there’s another restaurant in town that is pretty good, but people are used to driving to Marquette.”
Gwinn's schools have a free preschool program and Chromebooks
The Gwinn Area Community Schools District serves about 1,100 students across three schools. K.I. Sawyer Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche. Gwinn Middle and Gwinn High School are on the same campus, collectively receiving a C-plus. Michigan has the Great Start Readiness program, offering a free preschool curriculum for four-year-olds. Sawyer Elementary offers school-based dental services, and Gwinn High School provides students with Chromebook laptops for technology-oriented classes.
Marq-Tran and SR-94 link Sawyer to Marquette and beyond
The Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport is about 2 miles west of K.I. Sawyer. While planes may cause noise for houses on the flight path, this airport is the most extensive in the U.P., with direct passenger flights to Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis. The Marq-Tran bus system has demand-based reservations for door-to-door service across Marquette County. State Route 94 is a two-way road connecting residents to U.S. Highway 41 and State Route 553. Marquette is about 20 miles north on SR-553.
