Look what Presque Isle County has to offer!
Come and enjoy the natural beauty and quaint atmosphere of Presque Isle County. Nestled on the shores of Lake Huron, the area is abundantly rich in maritime history and lore. Presque Isle County covers 419,584 acres of land or 656 square miles. Almost 20% of the county is State Recreational land, state parks and recreational areas which cover 284 acres and over 80,454 acres of Mackinaw State Forest. There are over 86,000 acres of public land which includes many campgrounds, city parks, nature areas and unique trail systems. Presque Isle County is blessed with crystal clear waters, 99 inland lakes, 301 miles of streams, 72 miles of beautiful Lake Huron shoreline, pure clean air and three lighthouses.
The climate of the county varies greatly from summer to winter. There was a scorching record high temperature of 100 degrees on July 19, 1977 and August 21, 1955. A record low temperature of 35 degrees below zero occurred on February 22, 1961. The average July temperature is 68.1 degrees and January average is 18.2 degrees. Precipitation in the area is in the form of snow with an average snowfall of 88.9 inches from November to March. In the warmer months of April to October, rainfall measures an average of 31.03 inches.
The county offers a four-seasoned schedule of events. Boating, bird watching, hunting, fishing, trapping, golfing, hiking, biking, horse back riding and skiing are among the many sporting activities available throughout the county. There are also snowmobile, ORV and handicap trails along with ORV routes.
Presque Isle County also offers plenty of museums, three lighthouses, theaters, libraries and other cultural points of interest and events. Local events of interest are the Hawks Spring Fling, the 4th of July fireworks in Onaway, the Nautical Festival in Rogers City, the Presque Isle County Fair in Millersburg and the Posen Potato Festival.
The people of the county have plenty to share and invite you to come relax and enjoy the year round festivals and activities in one of Michigan's most fascinating counties.
Rogers City - The Nautical City
Founded in 1876, Rogers City became known as the "Nautical City" because of it's heritage to shipping, fishing and boating on Lake Huron shoreline.
The Rogers City Yacht Harbor is deemed one of the finest on the Great Lakes. Boaters often make this their stop on their way to the North Channel of Lake Huron. Walkers can enjoy the long, lighted break-wall extension that takes them out about 500 feet to view the lake.
The Port of Calcite is one of the largest shipping ports on the Great Lakes. Massive freighters, up to 1,000 feet long, dock outside the port, waiting to be loaded with limestone. Other freighters pass the port on their way to other shipping areas.
Rogers City offers much to the visitor and those lucky enough to call it home. This quaint community of well-kept homes and quiet tree-lined streets welcomes guests with a hospitality unique to small towns.
Onaway - Steers the World
Onaway was settled in the 1880's as a logging community. Onaway incorporated as a Village in 1899 and became a city in 1920 as it experienced rapid growth in its early years. Onaway "Steered the World" as the manufacturing site of steering wheels for the American Automobile industry until the Lobdell Emory Plant burned in 1926.
Onaway is a residential and tourist community today. Onaway is the Sturgeon Capital of Michigan, a designation made by the State Legislature in 1989.
Onaway is a nice sized community to visit, or in which to relocate or retire with a population of just over 1,000 residents. Land values are reasonable, crime is low and the schools are good. The population grows during the summer, as seasonal residents return to the area.
Village of Millersburg
Millersburg, incorporated in 1901, was probably the last Michigan village deliberately planned in the forest. The site is located where the D & M Railroad and the Ocqueoc River meet. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1898 and by 1901 the village was home to over 1200 people.
July 1908 fires destroyed thousands of acres of timer. July 1911 fires destroyed much of the business section and another fire in November 1929 destroyed seven more businesses. Only one business was rebuilt at that time.
The population in Millersburg has been around 300 people since the 1920's. The village has prospered but also suffered with the ever-changing agriculture, forest, mining and tourism industries. The village has managed to maintain a hundred years of charter village government and continues to strive for a better quality of life.
Village of Hawks
The Village of Hawks, named as a tribute to J. D. Hawks, the superintendent of the Detroit and Mackinac Railroad, was founded in 1896 by Polish and German immigrants from Prussia. The Detroit and Mackinac Railroad ran through Bismarck and Belknap townships in 1895.
The Village of Hawks lies in the approximate geographic center of "Wet & Wild" Presque Isle County where fertile land and abundant forest attracted early homesteaders in the late 1800's. Farming and wood harvesting is on the decline but the many lakes and public lands are still an attraction to those who seek a short escape. The area is well noted for its seclusion, pristine lakes and streams and an abundance of wildlife.