Kingsford has history, outdoor recreation and a slower pace of life
Located just off the banks of the Menominee River, Kingsford is a small Michigan community forged through industry. The area blossomed in the 1920s around a sawmill and a plant that produced products for the Ford Motor Company and employed thousands. It was also the original home of the manufacturing facility for Kingsford charcoal. Today, Kingsford offers a quiet place to live, full of classic homes and surrounded by outdoor recreation. “I think that the biggest thing about this area is the outdoorsiness,” says Heather Nelson, owner of Kingsford’s U.P. Sweets bakery. “It’s not a huge city. I think a lot of people love to escape here because of that.”
Vintage cottages mix with mid-2000s builds across the area
The community features a variety of minimal traditional, Craftsman and ranch-style homes, with floor plans averaging 1,600 square feet. Properties are spread out on sidewalk-lined blocks, with lots between one-tenth and one-fifth of an acre. Many of Kingsford’s homes date back to the 1920s, around the time that the Ford plant opened, but buyers can still find more recent builds through the mid-2000s. Homes needing a little TLC sell for $40,000 to $80,000, while others generally range from $90,000 to $360,000.
Menominee River access and nearby parks support active lifestyles
Kingsford runs up against a piece of the 116-mile Menominee River by the Wisconsin border. Locals can access the water at the roughly 7-acre Menominee River Recreation Area, which has a pavilion in addition to a boat launch. Alternatively, Cowboy Lake Park has a beach and a fishing pier by the 34-acre lake of the same name. Residents are also close to the smaller Crystal Lake in the neighboring community of Iron Mountain, and Crystal Lake Park by the shore has a playground and a boat launch. Kingsford’s 21-acre Lodal Park includes multiple athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, and hosts youth sports games.
Local restaurants and bakeries offer quick bites and sit-down meals
People eyeing a quick bite to eat in town have spots like Pizza Oven, which has been around for over six decades and is known for its Italian sausage topping, made locally. “That one is a very popular restaurant,” Nelson says. “They’re very family-oriented. They make the best pizza.” Those looking for more of a sit-down experience have Henry’s Steakhouse, whose tenderloin and French onion soup are popular. U.P. Sweets creates cake pops, cupcakes, cookies and more. “As of now, I'm the only bakery in Kingsford, so that’s nice,” Nelson says. Central Super Market Inc. is a nearby spot for groceries. Walmart and The Home Depot are available in Iron Mountain, about 2 miles away.
Holidays come with multiple community activities
The holiday season in Kingsford includes events like the annual Big Holiday Craft Show in early November at Kingsford Middle/High School. The show features artisans from around the region, and admission is free. There’s also a community tree lighting and Christmas party at the Kingsford Armory in early December, with food, games and photo ops with Santa. Ford Airport Day is a September staple, held at the area’s airfield, featuring flyovers, a car and motorcycle show, and free plane rides for kids. “A lot of people come in for that,” Nelson says.
Area schools share strong academics
Kingsford is home to the Breitung Township Schools system, a district with an A-minus rating from Niche. Nelson says the district is very popular, attracting students from out of town with its Schools of Choice program. Woodland Elementary also scores an A-minus and has an on-campus garden for hands-on learning. Kings Middle shares a campus with Kingsford High, and both have B-plus ratings. The middle school lets students show off their talents with events like an art show and a spring band concert. The high school has several successful athletic teams. And though the community’s Ford facilities closed in 1951, Kingsford’s sports teams are nicknamed the Flivvers, a nod to a moniker used for Model T cars. “I know a lot of people send their kids here for the athletics program,” Nelson says. “Kingsford is known for having an excellent football team. In my opinion, the school excels at a lot of sports they play.”
U.S. Route 2 links Kingsford to major Michigan highways
This area’s Ford Airport operates daily flights to Minneapolis and Detroit through Delta Airlines. Residents traveling by car are close to U.S. Route 2, which connects to Interstate 75 for drives to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Nearby Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson, off Route 2 in Iron Mountain, offers emergency services.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
