Land and Population
Norway Township is located in the south central portion of Dickinson County and consists of approximately 89 square miles. According to the 2010 census there are 1,489 people living in the township with the majority living in the southern portion which consists of rolling hills and farmland. The village of Vulcan is also located in the southern portion of the township. The northern two-thirds of the township is made up of rugged terrain including cliffs, swamps and many small lakes and streams. State owned land in the township includes over 29,000 acres of the Copper Country State Forest.
Recreation
The amount of state-owned land in the area provides ample opportunity for recreation. Hunting and fishing are popular activities as are canoeing and kayaking. Norway Township is home to the Piers Gorge State Recreation Area which has the only class 4 white water rapids in the midwest. There are numerous boat launches on the many lakes and rivers in the area. Carney Lake State Forest Recreation Area also has a rustic campground. Other popular activities in the area include hiking, biking, horseback riding, birdwatching and ATV riding. There are several state-owned ATV trails available in the township. Oak Crest Golf Course, owned by the City of Norway, is located within the borders of Norway Township and is an excellent public course with many golf tournaments held throughout the season.
If you prefer winter activities, Norway Township is home to miles of groomed snowmobile trails and downhill skiing at Norway Mountain Ski Hill. Groomed cross-country ski trails are available nearby as well as acres of land for snowshoeing and dog sledding.
Dickinson County Fairgrounds
The Dickinson County Fairgrounds are located in Norway Township. The fair has been held annually on Labor Day weekend for over 100 years making it the oldest county fair in the state. During the summer the fairgrounds are used for stock car racing every Friday night and horse shows on the weekends. On the second weekend in September the Just Cruisin’ Car Club holds their annual car show and swap meet.
Vulcan
Vulcan, the only village in the township, is a mixture of old and modern architecture. Many of the large old homes along the shore of Hanbury Lake look the same as they did when they were built in the late 1800’s. The Norway Township Hall, built in 1905, is located in this area. The Penn Mining Store, which was the first store on the Menominee Iron Range, was built in 1873 and is currently in use as a private residence and a small candle and soap store. St. Barbara’s Catholic Church, built in 1908, has been recently renovated and looks like it did when it was first built. Yet, side by side with the old architecture, are modern new subdivisions. Norway Township boasts one of the lowest tax rates in Dickinson County making housing more affordable than in the cities.
Industrial Park
Norway Township is also home at a 200 acre industrial park with 6 businesses located there. Sites are still available.
We have horseback riding trails!
To sum it up, Norway Township is a great place to either call home or visit. For more information please contact one of the township officials.
