 In the late 19th century, during the height of iron mining, Marquette became nationally known as a summer haven.Visitors brought in by Great Lakes passenger steamships filled the city's hotels and resorts.South of the city, K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base was an important Air Force installation during the Cold War, host to B-52H bombers and KC-135 tankers of the Strategic Air Command, as well as a fighter interceptor squadron.