Should Upper Michigan really belong to Wisconsin?

Google Maps

By Christina Lorey

October 22, 2024

Look at this map and explain how this makes sense: Michigan’s “Upper Peninsula” is clearly – and ONLY – attached to Wisconsin… yet it belongs to them?

🤔 The Backstory

According to WPR, it all goes back to the late 18th century, when America acquired the land that would later become Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The country adopted the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 to lay out how new states could be admitted into the Union: areas became territories, and territories started to become states.

Unfortunately, some of the boundaries weren’t so well-defined.

This caused the state of Ohio and the territory of Michigan to fight over a less than 500-square-mile piece of land called the Toledo Strip that encompassed modern-day Toledo and Maumee Bay on Lake Erie. The “war” lasted until Congress stepped in and proposed a compromise: Michigan could become a state if it gave the Toledo Strip to Ohio. And in return, it would get all of the Upper Peninsula.

🤔 The Disconnect

Many Yoopers (the term for people who live in the UP) don’t feel like true Michiganders. Their accent (lots of “yahs” and “don’t ya knows”) is more Wisconsin than Michigan. They’re even split on which football team to root for: the Lions or the Packers. Yoopers have even floated the idea of becoming the 51st state (learn more here.)

So, with this tension in mind, wouldn’t it make more sense for the UP and Wisconsin to become one? There’s even a change.org petition for it!

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Author

Christina Lorey

Christina Lorey is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and former UpNorthNews newsletter editor. She previously worked as a producer, reporter, and TV anchor for stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, Christina volunteers with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and several mental health organizations.

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CATEGORIES: LOCAL CULTURE

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