In small towns, people depend on each other. In Upper Michigan, through long, harsh winters and economic woes, people form bonds even without blood ties. On this day of civic pride, an entire city became one family, a city filled with people descended from a handful of brave pioneers who came to Iron Bay a century before to build a community which still prospered. As Marquette's pioneers pass away, new generations forge ahead to make Marquette the Queen City of the North. Here is the tale of a small town undergoing change from horses, kerosene, and telegraphs to automobiles, electricity, and radio. Here is the American Dream played out in the lives of people who overcome the Great Depression and two world wars to celebrate their city's centennial. Old friends from Iron Pioneers return along with a multitude of fascinating new characters. Margaret Dalrymple finds her Scottish prince, though he is neither Scottish nor a prince. Molly Bergmann inspires her grandchildren. Jacob Whitman's children engage in a family feud. The Queen City's residents marry, divorce, have children, die, break their hearts, go to war, gossip, blackmail, raise families, leave and return to Marquette. And always, always they are in love with the haunting land that is their home.
