Michigan Information and Resource LinksMUSKEGON COUNTY
MICHIGAN
Muskegon County is named after the Muskegon River. In the 1600's
French explorers found Ottawa and Pottawatomie tribes. The meaning
of the word Muskegon is "river of marshes". Early explorers found
the potential for fur trading, and the French trappers and traders
lived relatively peaceful with the Indians. There were settlers in
the early 1600's but it wasn't until 1834 when it became more than
just seasonal visitors. Fur trading was coming to an end and lumbering
was booming. In 1837 Benjamin H. Wheelock constructed a lumber mill.
Abundant with White Pine and the river offered a way to transport logs
to the mills. By 1860 there were 16 sawmills on Muskegon Lake. The Stage
line came in 1855 and 3 years later the first post office was established.
In a short period 47 mills surrounded Muskegon Lake, and had three
railroads serving the area.
Today, Muskegon is an industrial center with production in chemicals,
metal products, engines, paper, sand, and gravel. Fruits, dairying,
livestock, corn, winter wheat, oats, hay and cucumbers are the areas
agriculture.
Muskegon County is located in Western Michigan, U.S.A. and borders the
shores of Lake Michigan. Muskegon County is easily reachable from the
East by I-96 and from the South and North by US-31. Grand Rapids, MI
is approximately 40 miles to the south east, Grand Haven, MI is approximately
10 miles to the south, and Ludington, MI is approximately 50 miles to
the north. Chicago, IL is 180 miles and Detroit, MI is 190 miles.
Besides being located near the Lake and having many built-in recreational
options, Muskegon County is host to many events and attractions. According
to the 2000 Census, Muskegon County has a population of 170,200.
COUNTY STATISTICS
| County Seat: Muskegon |
| Size: 504 Square Miles |
| Elevation: 600-900 Feet |
| Physiography: Lake-border plains, rolling plains, hill-lands |
| Growing Season: 140-160 days |
| Annual Precipitation: 31-33 inches |
| Average Snowfall: 70 - 90 inches |
| Forest Type: Oak-Hickory, Aspen-Birch, Pine |
| Fall Colors: Early October |
CITIES WITHIN
Almar Bailey (49303) - Berry Junction - Blue Lake - Bluffton - Brunswick (49425)
Canada Corners - Casnovia (49318) - Clear Lake - Cloverdale - Dalton - Forest City
Fruitland - Fruitport (49415) - Hazel Grove - Holton (49425) - Kellys Corner
Lake Harbor - Laketon - Lakewood Club - Lloyd Landing - Michillinda - Mill Iron
Montague (49437) - Moorland - Moorland Corner - Muskegon - Muskegon Heights
North Muskegon - Norton Shores - Owasippi - Ravenna (49451) - Roosevelt Park
Slocum - Sullivan - Sylvan Beach - Trent - Twin Lakes (49457) - Wabaningo (49463)
Whitehall (49461) - Wolf Lake
|
