Alcona County is located in northeastern Michigan, just south of the Straits of Mackinac and the northern tip of Lake Huron. It is bordered by Iosco County to the east and Oscoda County to the west. The county seat is Harrisville, which was established in 1854. Alcona County has a total area of 565 square miles and is home to more than 10,000 residents.
The landscape of Alcona County is dominated by rolling hills and forests, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, ATV riding and more. The county’s lakes are particularly popular among anglers due to their abundance of walleye and other fish species. There are also several state parks in Alcona County that offer recreational opportunities such as swimming, boating, hiking trails and more.
The county’s economy is largely based on agriculture with an emphasis on dairy farming. Other major industries include logging and tourism due to its natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities available. There are also several small businesses located throughout the county that provide goods and services to local residents.
Alcona County has a rich history dating back to before European settlement when numerous Native American tribes inhabited the area including Ojibwa and Chippewa tribes. Some historical sites still remain in Alcona County including the Indian Mission Church which was built in 1851 near Harrisville.
The area was officially organized as Alcona County in 1840 after being surveyed by William Harris who later became its first settler when he founded Harrisville in 1854. The name “Alcona” comes from an Ojibwa word meaning “lake” which accurately describes this area due to its abundant bodies of water including Lake Huron, Lake Mitchell and Hubbard Lake among many others.
Today, Alcona County continues to be an attractive destination for tourists looking for a peaceful getaway or those seeking outdoor adventure activities such as fishing or hunting trips or simply exploring its natural beauty with camping or hiking trips through any one of its many state parks or nature trails found throughout the county. Residents here enjoy a slower pace of life while still having access to all modern amenities including quality health care services at local hospitals such as Alpena Regional Medical Center or Tawas St Joseph Medical Center both located within the county’s borders along with numerous schools offering K-12 education options for families living here year round or just visiting during vacation times throughout each season!
History of Alcona County, Michigan
Alcona County is located in Northeast Michigan and was established in 1840. It was named after the Chippewa Indian word “Alconah” which means “the place of many fish.” This was fitting for the county, which had many lakes, streams, and rivers that were abundant with fish.
The first settler in the area was John Biddle, who arrived in 1839 and established a trading post near the mouth of the Au Sable River. He also built a sawmill near what is now known as Harrisville. The region quickly grew as settlers began to arrive from Canada, New York, Ohio and other states.
In 1843, a petition to form Alcona County was granted by Governor John Saginaw Mason. The county seat was initially located at Harrisville but was moved to Lincoln in 1857 due to its more central location.
In its early days, Alcona County relied heavily on logging and lumbering operations for economic growth. This industry helped spur on the development of small towns like Glennie and Curran which were founded in 1872 and 1877 respectively. In addition to lumbering, fishing also played an important role in Alcona County’s economy with several commercial fishing operations based out of Harrisville harboring Lake Huron whitefish and lake trout during this time period.
The 20th century saw an increase in tourism with visitors drawn to Alcona County’s natural beauty including its forests, lakes, rivers and streams as well as its sandy beaches along Lake Huron. In addition to recreational activities such as boating, fishing and hunting; visitors could also visit popular attractions like Thompson’s Harbor State Park (established 1928) or take part in local events like the annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon which has been held since 1947.
Today, Alcona County continues to be a popular destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts with over 700 miles of trails for snowmobiling, ORV riding/off-roading ATVing hiking and biking available throughout the region along with numerous parks such as Negwegon State Park (established 1972). The area is also home to several unique festivals including Oscoda’s Wurtsmith Air Museum Air Show (held since 1976) or Hubbard Lake’s Fishstock Festival (held since 1979). Additionally, there are thriving local businesses such as wineries or breweries along with historic sites like Old Town Lumber Company that offer visitors a glimpse into Alcona County’s past while still providing them with modern amenities today making it an ideal destination for both locals & tourists alike.