[9][10] This area was long occupied by people of the Lake Superior Band of Ojibwa (Chippewa),[7] who called it "Gichi-wiikwedong".

[11] Much later, French colonists had established a fur trading post here as a part of New France and a Jesuit mission, naming it L'Anse.

[6][10][12] Following treaties with the United States in the 19th century, the Ojibwa/Chippewa ceded extensive amounts of land in Michigan.

The L'Anse Indian Reservation was established by the U.S. here as the largest and the oldest in Michigan.

[12] In 1896, the village was completely burned to the ground by a deadly fire which left many homeless.

[7][13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.53 square miles (6.55 km2), all of it land.

37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.