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Presque Isle County, Michigan

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This article is about the Michigan county. For other areas, see Presque Isle (disambiguation).

Presque Isle County (/ˈprɛskiːl/ PRESK-eel) is a county in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,982.[2] The county seat is Rogers City.[3] The county was authorized by state legislative action on April 1, 1840,[4] but the county government was not established until 1871. The government was reorganized in 1875.[1]

Presque Isle County
County
Presque Isle County Courthouse in Onaway
Presque Isle County Courthouse in Onaway
Official seal of Presque Isle County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Presque Isle County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°19′N 83°28′W / 45.32°N 83.46°W / 45.32; -83.46
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1840 (created)
1871 (organized)
1875 (reorganized)[1]
SeatRogers City
Largest cityRogers City
Area
 • Total
2,573 sq mi (6,660 km2)
 • Land659 sq mi (1,710 km2)
 • Water1,914 sq mi (4,960 km2)  74%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
12,982
 • Density20/sq mi (8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitepresqueislecounty.org

The name is an anglicisation of the French word presqu'île or presque-isle, which means a peninsula, or literally, "almost an island".[1] A large part of Presque Isle Township consists of that peninsula, with Lake Huron on the east, Grand Lake on the west, and narrow strips of land connecting it to the mainland at the north and south ends. The community of Presque Isle is near the center of this peninsula.

History

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See also: History of Northern Michigan

Early Native Americans living in the area were nomadic, using the land as hunting grounds. To them the land between the Ocqueoc and Swan Rivers was sacred ground. The name "Presque Isle" was given to the area by French fur traders who portaged over the strip of land that attaches Presque Isle to the mainland.

Early development of the area was delayed because it had no navigable river. The Ocqueoc River was Presque Isle's largest river but it was shallow and crooked, with many rapids. In the spring of 1839 a surveying party, contracted by the state of Michigan, reported that the land of this area was worthless. This further discouraged development until the 1860s when the Crawford family settled into a quiet cove of Lake Huron, south of present-day Rogers City. They intended to develop a stone quarry, but found the stone too flaky to be used as building material. Turning to lumbering, they sold the wood to steamers traveling the Great Lakes.

In 1868 W.E. Rogers, an Army officer, organized a surveying party to Presque Isle, with Albert Molitor as supervisor. Seeing the huge forests, they attempted to purchase Crawford's Quarry but were refused. They formed the Molitor-Rogers Company purchasing the land at the site of Rogers City. The following year a large party of German and Polish immigrants arrived and settled in the area. The Molitor-Rogers Company built a sawmill, store, boarding house, and blacksmith shop. The small city was solely supplied by the company. After a difficult winter in 1870–71, the community began to thrive.

The county's original settlers were lumbermen, fishermen and farmers. In 1907 a mining engineer/geologist from New York, H.H. Hindshaw, visited Crawford's Quarry and found it to be rich in limestone. Following this discovery, the Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company of Calcite, Michigan, was founded. The company purchased 8,000 acres (32 km2) at Calcite, the new name for Crawford's Quarry. Needing a means of shipping their product, the Bradley Transportation Company was formed. The company is known in the area for being the chief business, employing a significant portion of the area's residents. One of the darker aspects of the county's history involved the Bradley Transportation Company when one of their cargo ships, the Carl D. Bradley sank on Lake Michigan during a windstorm in November 1958 with the loss of 33 lives, 28 of whom resided in Presque Isle County (23 were from Rogers City, three were from Onaway and two were from Posen or Metz Township).[5][note 1]

Today the world's largest limestone processing plant is in Rogers City, which is also a major Great Lakes Port. This is the best natural harbor on Lake Huron between Port Huron and Mackinaw City.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 2,573 square miles (6,660 km2), of which 659 square miles (1,710 km2) is land and 1,914 square miles (4,960 km2) (74%) is water.[6] Although Presque Isle County is on Michigan's Lower Peninsula, it is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Geographic features

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Lakes

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Adjacent counties

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By land

By water

Communities

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U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Presque Isle County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

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Villages

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Civil townships

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186026—
18703551,265.4%
18803,113776.9%
18904,68750.6%
19008,82188.2%
191011,24927.5%
192012,1317.8%
193011,330−6.6%
194012,2508.1%
195011,996−2.1%
196013,1179.3%
197012,836−2.1%
198014,26711.1%
199013,743−3.7%
200014,4114.9%
201013,376−7.2%
202012,982−2.9%
2023 (est.)13,285[7]2.3%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[2]

At the 2000 United States census,[12] of 2000, there were 14,411 people, 6,155 households, and 4,203 families residing in the county. In 2020, there were 12,982 people in the county.

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $31,656, and the median income for a family was $37,426. Males had a median income of $31,275 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,363. About 6.80% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those over age 64.

Government

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Voters in Presque Isle County have generally favored Republican Party nominees. Since 1884, the Republican nominee has garnered the county's vote 71% of the time (24 of 34 elections).

United States presidential election results for Presque Isle County, Michigan[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,342 63.94% 2,911 34.84% 102 1.22%
2016 4,488 61.84% 2,400 33.07% 369 5.08%
2012 3,794 53.45% 3,192 44.97% 112 1.58%
2008 3,606 48.01% 3,722 49.55% 183 2.44%
2004 3,982 52.98% 3,432 45.66% 102 1.36%
2000 3,660 51.69% 3,242 45.79% 178 2.51%
1996 2,463 35.74% 3,449 50.04% 980 14.22%
1992 2,398 32.65% 3,308 45.04% 1,639 22.31%
1988 3,614 54.11% 3,025 45.29% 40 0.60%
1984 4,207 62.57% 2,481 36.90% 36 0.54%
1980 3,486 50.43% 2,952 42.71% 474 6.86%
1976 3,545 51.02% 3,334 47.99% 69 0.99%
1972 3,372 56.23% 2,440 40.69% 185 3.08%
1968 2,565 48.85% 2,300 43.80% 386 7.35%
1964 1,770 33.16% 3,565 66.80% 2 0.04%
1960 2,950 52.66% 2,649 47.29% 3 0.05%
1956 3,058 61.43% 1,917 38.51% 3 0.06%
1952 2,982 61.84% 1,825 37.85% 15 0.31%
1948 2,271 54.53% 1,872 44.95% 22 0.53%
1944 2,209 51.21% 2,092 48.49% 13 0.30%
1940 2,552 49.46% 2,595 50.29% 13 0.25%
1936 1,621 35.20% 2,905 63.08% 79 1.72%
1932 1,560 40.36% 2,217 57.36% 88 2.28%
1928 1,992 65.50% 1,029 33.84% 20 0.66%
1924 2,315 67.45% 431 12.56% 686 19.99%
1920 2,522 80.76% 525 16.81% 76 2.43%
1916 1,407 61.52% 806 35.24% 74 3.24%
1912 729 37.42% 259 13.30% 960 49.28%
1908 1,706 81.39% 301 14.36% 89 4.25%
1904 1,861 82.93% 363 16.18% 20 0.89%
1900 1,328 71.67% 496 26.77% 29 1.57%
1896 763 66.06% 371 32.12% 21 1.82%
1892 290 34.77% 471 56.47% 73 8.75%
1888 408 45.18% 484 53.60% 11 1.22%
1884 394 63.65% 225 36.35% 0 0.00%

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance etc. – are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

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as of June 2021

Historical markers

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There are ten recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[14]

Media

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Newspapers

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Television

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The following television stations broadcast in Presque Isle County:

Radio

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The following radio stations can be heard in Rogers City

FM
Call Sign Frequency City Broadcast From
WPHN 90.5 Gaylord
WCML 91.7 Alpena
WFDX 92.5 Atlanta
WKJZ 94.9 Hillman
WRZG 96.7 Rogers City
WHAK-FM 99.9 Rogers City
WWMK 106.3 Onaway
WHSB 107.7 Alpena
AM
Call Sign Frequency City Broadcast From
WTCM 580 Traverse City
WHAK 960 Rogers City
NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio can be heard on 162.550 MHz (Call Sign KIG83, Alpena)

Transportation

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Steamer "Pastime" en route to Presque Isle

Air

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There is one county-owned airport in Presque Isle County, providing access to general aviation:

  • Presque Isle County Airport – located SW of Rogers City[16]

The nearest commercial airline airports are Alpena County Regional Airport near Alpena,[17] and Cherry Capital Airport[18] near (Traverse City).

Major highways

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See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ The uncensored Coast Guard report was found in the appendix of the book Mayday! by James Hopp

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bibliography on Presque Isle County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
  5. ^ Kerrins, Joseph; Change, Joseph; Leising, Charles; Read, Garth. "Marine Board of Investigation; foundering of the Carl D. Bradley, Lake Michigan, 18 November 1958 with loss of life" (PDF). United States Coast Guard. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ US Election Atlas
  14. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ The Alpena News
  16. ^ Presque Isle County Airport airnav.com
  17. ^ Alpena County Regional Airport airnav.com
  18. ^ Cherry Capital Airport airnav.com
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45°19′N 83°28′W / 45.32°N 83.46°W / 45.32; -83.46

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