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Alcona County, Michigan
Sturgeon-point-lighthouse
Sturgeon Point Light near Harrisville
Logo of Alcona County, Michigan
Logo
Motto: "First of 83"
Map of Michigan highlighting Alcona County
Location in the state of Michigan
Map of the U.S
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded established 1840
organized 1869[1]
Seat Harrisville
Largest city Harrisville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,791 sq mi (4,639 km²)
675 sq mi (1,748 km²)
1,116 sq mi (2,890 km²), 62.%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

10,167
16/sq mi (6/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Alcona County ( /ælˈknə/ al-KOH-nə) is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 10,167.[2] Its county seat is Harrisville.[3] Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan; as its flag states, it is the "First of 83".

History[]

1842 Okkuddo Cheonoquet Anamickee Shawwano Oscoda Negwegon counties Michigan

A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Alcona County as Negwegon, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[4] Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

The county was created by the state legislature on April 1, 1840.[5] It was at first named Negwegon County,[4] after the name of a well-known Chippewa chief, also known as "Little Wing". He was honored as having been an American ally against the British in the War of 1812.

It was renamed to Alcona County on March 8, 1843, after a neologism created by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft from parts of words from Native American languages, plus Arabic, Greek and Latin.[6][7] These were amalgamated to mean "fine or excellent plain".[1][8] He was an influential US Indian agent and geographer.

Alcona County was initially attached to Mackinac County for purposes of revenue, taxation, and judicial matters. The attachment shifted to Cheboygan County in 1853, to Alpena County in 1857, to Iosco County in 1858, and to Alpena County in 1859.

Harrisville Township, then comprising the entire county, was organized in 1860. County government was organized in 1869, becoming effective on May 8, 1869.[9][10] The county's slogan on its seal (a single gold star on a green field in the shape of Alcona County) is "First of 83," which refers to its place alphabetically among Michigan counties.[11]

In 2007, Alcona County was forced to explore options to remedy a major budget shortfall resulting from an official's embezzlement. Former County Treasurer Thomas Katona pleaded guilty in June 2007 to charges that he embezzled more than 1.2 million dollars from county funds to invest them in a Nigerian scam which he fell for.[12][13]

Katona was sentenced to 9–14 years imprisonment on June 12, 2007, by the 23rd Circuit Court. Judge William Myles said Katona's crimes warranted more severe punishment than called for in state sentencing guidelines, due to the amount of money involved and the number of victims in the case.[14]

Geography[]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,791 square miles (4,640 km2), of which 675 square miles (1,750 km2) is land and 1,116 square miles (2,890 km2) (62%) is water.[15]

The area is part of the Au Sable State Forest, specifically the Grayling FMU (Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, and northern Iosco counties). The county is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Alcona County has a shoreline on Lake Huron. Through Lake Huron, Alcona County has a water boundary with the Canadian province of Ontario. The Au Sable River flows through the southwest of the county.

Lakes[]

Lakes in the county include:[16]

  • Lake Huron
  • Alcona Lake
  • Badger Lake
  • Bear Lake
  • Brownlee Lake
  • Byron Lake
  • Cedar Lake
  • Clear Lake
  • Crooked Lake
  • Crystal Lake
  • Curtis Lake
  • Honawan Lake
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Hubbard Lake, one of the state's twenty largest inland lakes.[17]
  • Hunter Lake
  • Indian Lake
  • Jenkins lake
  • Jewell Lake
  • Lost Lake
  • North Hoist Lake
  • North Lake
  • O'Brien Lake
  • Poplar Lake
  • Reid Lake
  • South Hoist Lake
  • Tompson Lake

Adjacent counties[]

National protected area[]

  • Huron National Forest (part)

Government[]

The county government maintains rural roads, operates the local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and works with state agencies to provide 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.

The Alcona County Circuit Court is part of the 23rd Circuit of Michigan. This multicounty circuit also includes Arenac, Iosco and Oscoda Counties. This court was previously part of the 26th Circuit, which included Alpena and Montmorency Counties.

Elected officials[]

  • Prosecuting Attorney: Thomas Jay Weichel
  • Sheriff: Scott A. Stephenson
  • County Clerk/Circuit Court Clerk: Stephany Eller
  • County Treasurer: Cheryl L. Franks
  • Register of Deeds: Melissa A. Cordes
  • Road Commissioners: Alfred J. Scully, Harry L. Harvey, Theodore R. Somers[18]

(as of May 2018)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 185
1870 696 276.2%
1880 3,107 346.4%
1890 5,409 74.1%
1900 5,691 5.2%
1910 5,703 0.2%
1920 5,912 3.7%
1930 4,989 −15.6%
1940 5,463 9.5%
1950 5,856 7.2%
1960 6,352 8.5%
1970 7,113 12.0%
1980 9,740 36.9%
1990 10,145 4.2%
2000 11,719 15.5%
2010 10,942 −6.6%
US Decennial Census[19]
1790-1960[20] 1900-1990[21]
1990-2000[22] 2010-2020[2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,942 people living in the county. 97.9% were White, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.2% of some other race and 0.9% of two or more races. 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the 2000 United States Census,[23] the county held 11,719 people, 5,132 households, and 3,566 families. The population density was 17 people per square mile (7/km2). There were 10,584 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.04% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.4% were of English, 23.0% German, 9.2% Irish, 7.7% Polish, 7.5% French and 5.0% French-Canadian ancestry according to 2012 American Community Survey. 98.2% spoke English as their first language. Those citing "American" ancestry in Alcona County are of overwhelmingly English extraction, however most English Americans identify simply as having American ancestry because their roots have been in North America for so long, in some cases since the 1600s.[24][25][26][27][28]

There were 5,132 households; 20.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.67.

The county population spread showed 19.00% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 20.90% from 25 to 44, 31.00% from 45 to 64, and 24.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,362, and the median income for a family was $35,669. Males had a median income of $29,712 versus $20,566 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,653. About 9.10% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.

Religion[]

Alcona County is considered to be part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.[29] and the Presbytery of Mackinac (http://www.presbymac.org/) and the Presbyterian Church USA (Presbyterian Church/USA- https://www.pcusa.org/).

As of 2012, these church meetinghouses were listed in Alcona County:

  • Baptist (general listing) – 7
  • Lutheran – 7
  • Presbyterian (general) – 3
  • Methodist (general) – 3 –
  • Episcopal – 1
  • Seventh-Day Adventist – 1[30]
  • Rome Catholic Church - 3

There were no meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alcona in 2018.[31]

Politics[]

Alcona County has been reliably Republican since the beginning. Since 1884, only five elections did not favor the nominee of the Republican Party.

United States presidential election results for Alcona County, Michigan[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,848 68.63% 2,142 30.32% 74 1.05%
2016 4,201 67.78% 1,732 27.94% 265 4.28%
2012 3,571 58.50% 2,472 40.50% 61 1.00%
2008 3,404 53.02% 2,896 45.11% 120 1.87%
2004 3,592 55.00% 2,871 43.96% 68 1.04%
2000 3,152 52.56% 2,696 44.96% 149 2.48%
1996 2,227 40.09% 2,619 47.15% 709 12.76%
1992 2,247 38.88% 2,383 41.24% 1,149 19.88%
1988 2,966 60.47% 1,918 39.10% 21 0.43%
1984 3,223 66.41% 1,616 33.30% 14 0.29%
1980 2,905 57.39% 1,857 36.69% 300 5.93%
1976 2,328 52.87% 2,038 46.29% 37 0.84%
1972 2,434 65.91% 1,195 32.36% 64 1.73%
1968 1,852 58.76% 958 30.39% 342 10.85%
1964 1,199 42.59% 1,611 57.23% 5 0.18%
1960 2,053 66.25% 1,038 33.49% 8 0.26%
1956 1,991 71.52% 788 28.30% 5 0.18%
1952 1,441 65.06% 766 34.58% 8 0.36%
1948 1,425 65.73% 708 32.66% 35 1.61%
1944 1,503 67.40% 716 32.11% 11 0.49%
1940 1,648 65.89% 847 33.87% 6 0.24%
1936 1,276 52.95% 919 38.13% 215 8.92%
1932 881 47.83% 884 47.99% 77 4.18%
1928 1,149 78.81% 302 20.71% 7 0.48%
1924 1,027 72.32% 184 12.96% 209 14.72%
1920 1,043 75.85% 264 19.20% 68 4.95%
1916 573 53.20% 453 42.06% 51 4.74%
1912 291 29.45% 145 14.68% 552 55.87%
1908 824 76.37% 175 16.22% 80 7.41%
1904 901 87.31% 92 8.91% 39 3.78%
1900 849 84.06% 145 14.36% 16 1.58%
1896 743 70.90% 275 26.24% 30 2.86%
1892 556 57.32% 380 39.18% 34 3.51%
1888 645 55.60% 502 43.28% 13 1.12%
1884 545 61.51% 339 38.26% 2 0.23%



Transportation[]

Highways[]

  • US 23 US 23 — north of Standish, it has been designated the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway. Parallels the Lake Huron shore, connects with M-72 in Harrisville. US 23 is the most proximate connector to Alpena and Mackinaw City.
  • M-65 M-65 — runs along the western side of the county, from US 23 north of Standish to Rogers City.
  • M-72 M-72 — In 1936, downtown Harrisville became the eastern terminus[33] of the 133 mile (214 kilometers) M-72, which runs across the lower peninsula from Empire, Michigan. It is one of three true cross peninsular highways.[34]
  • County F-30 F-30 — runs from US 23 at Greenbush through Mikado to M-65 at Glennie.
  • County F-32 F-32
  • County F-41 F-41 — runs north–south from US 23 at Oscoda to US 23 south of Ossineke.

Airport[]

Alcona County has been a part of developing the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport, which became a public airport in 1993. It now occupies a portion of the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, which is in Oscoda Township, Michigan in neighboring Iosco County, Michigan. It is primarily used for cargo and light general aviation activities. The Airport offers 24-hour near all weather daily access.

Media[]

Newspapers[]

  • The Alcona County Review located in Harrisville is the county's newspaper of record, and has served the community since 1877.[35]
  • The Alpena News serves the northeastern lower peninsula.[36]
  • The Oscoda Press is a weekly newspaper serving southern Alcona County and northern Iosco County.[37]
  • Daily editions of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News are available throughout the area.

Radio[]

  • WXTF-LP

Communities[]

Alcona County, MI census map

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

City[]

  • Harrisville (county seat)

Village[]

  • Lincoln

Civil townships[]

  • Alcona Township
  • Caledonia Township
  • Curtis Township
  • Greenbush Township
  • Gustin Township
  • Harrisville Township
  • Hawes Township
  • Haynes Township
  • Mikado Township
  • Millen Township
  • Mitchell Township

Census-designated places[]

  • Hubbard Lake
  • Lost Lake Woods

Other unincorporated communities[]

  • Alcona
  • Alvin
  • Backus Beach
  • Barton City
  • Black River
  • Bryant
  • Cheviers
  • Curran
  • Curtisville
  • Glennie
  • Greenbush
  • Gustin
  • Killmaster
  • Kurtz
  • Larson Beach
  • Mikado
  • Springport
  • Spruce
  • Wallace

Ghost town[]

  • Bamfield

Historical markers[]

  • Greenbush School
  • West Harrisville Depot in Lincoln[38]
  • Springport Inn,[39] Springport home of Civil War Captain Joseph VanBuskirk.[40]

See also[]

  • List of counties in Michigan
  • List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Alcona County, Michigan
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Alcona County, Michigan

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Alcona County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/alcona.aspx. 
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/alconacountymichigan/POP010220. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  4. ^ a b Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/MI_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm. 
  5. ^ Powers, p. 87
  6. ^ Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986). Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities (Paperback). Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X. 
  7. ^ Names of Michigan Counties Archived March 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Powers, p. 94
  9. ^ Powers, p. 88
  10. ^ Alcona Review
  11. ^ Neighbor Hub. "Alcona County website". http://www.alconacountymi.com/. 
  12. ^ "Officials begin talks on how to make painful budget cuts," Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine The Bay City Times, May 31, 2007.
  13. ^ "Michigan Attorney General press release", June 12, 2007
  14. ^ "Former Alcona treasurer sentenced to 9-14 years," Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine The Bay City Times, June 13, 2007. Accessed June 24, 2007.
  15. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt. 
  16. ^ "DNR - DNR". http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_31431_31560-67533--,00.html. 
  17. ^ Top 20 Michigan inland lakes Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Alcona County Government
  19. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. 
  20. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  21. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt. 
  22. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  23. ^ Statistical profile of Alcona County, Michigan Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Ancestry of the Population by State: 1980 - Table 3". https://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/files/pc80-s1-10/tab03.pdf. 
  25. ^ Sharing the Dream: White Males in a Multicultural America By Dominic J. Pulera.
  26. ^ Reynolds Farley, 'The New Census Question about Ancestry: What Did It Tell Us?', Demography, Vol. 28, No. 3 (August 1991), pp. 414, 421.
  27. ^ Stanley Lieberson and Lawrence Santi, 'The Use of Nativity Data to Estimate Ethnic Characteristics and Patterns', Social Science Research, Vol. 14, No. 1 (1985), pp. 44-46.
  28. ^ Stanley Lieberson and Mary C. Waters, 'Ethnic Groups in Flux: The Changing Ethnic Responses of American Whites', Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 487, No. 79 (September 1986), pp. 82-86.
  29. ^ "Diocese of Gaylord". http://www.dioceseofgaylord.org/. 
  30. ^ "Alcona County Review/Church.html". http://www.alconareview.com/church.html. 
  31. ^ churchofjesuschrist.org Meetinghouse Locator
  32. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  33. ^ "Photos of ends of M-72". state-ends.com. http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m/72/. 
  34. ^ History of Michigan highways
  35. ^ "Alcona County Review". http://www.alconareview.com/. 
  36. ^ "News, Sports, Jobs - The Alpena News". http://www.thealpenanews.com/. 
  37. ^ "Oscoda Press home page". Iosco County News Herald. East Tawas MI. http://www.oscodapress.com/about_us/. 
  38. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm. 
  39. ^ "Springport Inn". http://www.springportinn.com/. 
  40. ^ "Platt, Connie Faussett, Northern Journal (November-December, 2004), Captain Joseph VanBuskirk of Springport (Harrisville, Michigan)". mieastsidepubs.com. http://www.mieastsidepubs.com/NJ_sample.pdf. 

Further reading[]

External links[]

Template:Alcona County, Michigan Template:Northern Michigan

Coordinates: 44°43′N 83°16′W / 44.71, -83.27

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Alcona County, Michigan. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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