Ishpeming is considered the birth place of organized skiing in the United States and is the home to the National Ski Hall of Fame. The name Ishpeming comes from a Native American term (Chippewa tribe) that means "on the summit" or "Higher elevation." Ishpeming is Ojibwe for "Heaven". A statue of a Native American figure has stood in the very small town square since 1884 who is referred to as "Old Ish".