Former Kincheloe Air Force Base still has several major employers
Kincheloe is a residential pocket located on the eastern stretch of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 20 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie and the Canadian border. “The homes were originally built as an Air Force base,” says Robyn Hungerford, a Realtor with Smith & Company Real Estate, who has about a decade of experience. “Most were built in the 1960s, when the Air Force had a prominent presence and the airport was owned by the federal government.” The Kincheloe Air Force Base officially closed in 1977, and the area’s current employers include the Chippewa Correctional Facility, the Kinross Correctional Facility and a handful of manufacturing plants.
Split-level and ranch-style homes now house civilians in Kincheloe
Curving streets shape the residential portion of Kincheloe, where narrow sidewalks lead past split-level and ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 1970s. Properties range between $60,000 and $185,000, some with as much as an acre of land. Mature trees and outdoor living spaces grace many of the lots throughout the community. Some of the homes in Kincheloe are reserved for members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Golf at the Oaks at Kincheloe, and winter recreation on nearby trails
Near the center of Kincheloe’s winding residential streets, the Kinross Recreation Center has two baseball diamonds and a playground. Farther northwest, the Oaks at Kincheloe offers flexible memberships and green fees to its golf course. Players can practice their technique on a putting green and a 300-yard driving range before competing in several leagues and cash tournaments.
Natural recreation surrounds the community as well. “In the summer, you have all-terrain vehicles and swimming in inland lakes,” Hungerford says. “In the winter, you’ll have snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There are trails all over the place.” The Pine Bowl Pathway, to the east of Kincheloe, consists of almost 6 miles of trails for skiing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and snowshoeing that carve through Lake Superior State Forest.
The Chippewa County Fair
Horse pulls, derby races, livestock shows, carnival rides and a chili cook-off are a few of the events that take place at the Chippewa County Fair, held the week leading up to Labor Day. “People flock to the area for the week,” Hungerford says.
A retro feel at Pizza Patch and fried bologna at Well Diggers
Kincheloe is generally within a half-hour drive of dining and city amenities in Sault Ste. Marie. Still, several local eateries can be found in and around the community. Red-and-white checkered floors, retro dining sets and vintage posters set a nostalgic tone at Pizza Patch, which also serves salads and subway sandwiches. Next door, Deli Queen offers the quintessential fast-food menu: hamburgers, fries and ice cream shakes, among other classic items. Farther east of Kincheloe, The Well Diggers Watering Hole & Feed Lot claims fame status for its fried bologna sandwich. House-smoked pulled pork, beef brisket and pulled chicken are available as well. For groceries, the Kinross Co-op Food Pride is southwest of Kincheloe’s residential area.
Kincheloe children travel to Rudyard Area Schools, about 10 miles away
Children in Kincheloe may attend Rudyard Area Schools, located about 10 miles away. Receiving a 6 out of 10 on GreatSchools, the school district offers career and technical education in furniture and cabinetry manufacturing and mechatronics, as well as an Educator’s Academy. Dual credit may be earned through the high school’s partnerships with Baker College and Lake Superior State University, while elective classes include swimming and lifeguarding, agriculture and business.
Interstate 75 crosses into Canada and Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
Kincheloe sits north of Michigan state Route 80, which connects to South Mackinac Trail — traveling to Rudyard and its public schools — and Interstate 75. The interstate leads past Sault Ste. Marie, about 20 miles north, into Canada. It also connects to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and passes through Mackinaw City. The Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority provides bus service between Kincheloe and Sault Ste. Marie, where the nearest hospital is located. Flights to major Midwestern cities, including Chicago, Detroit and the Twin Cities, are available at the Chippewa County International Airport.
