Pelkie: 100 Years of Finnishness in Michigan's North Woods

The sturgeon river had been depositing rich soil in the Pelkie area for eons in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Lumberjacks and farmers cleared the land to make way for farms and the railroad connected them to the world. Mutual helping traditions led to a farmer's co-op, Finnish Lutheran churches sprang up and even a socialist hall was built. It was a thriving dairy farming community.

Second and third generation Finns worked on the farms as kids, which instilled in them a good worth ethic and good values. They had freedom to run and play, and there was a strong culture of visiting and sauna among neighbors. Kids initially spoke Finnish in their one-room schools. As the second and third generation grew up they began to leave the area to find work and education.

The children and grandchildren of the Finnish immigrants move away to go to school and many found work in Detroit. They married non-Finns outside of the community and many didn't come back. Finnish culture deteriorated in Pelkie. At the same time milk prices dropped and big box stores outside of Pelkie outcompeted the Co-op. Mennonites and strangers moved in while a couple Finns remained.