add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population is 11,719. Its county seat is Harrisville.[1]
[edit] HistoryThe county was created by the state legislature on April 1, 1840.[2] It was at first named "Negwegon County", after the name of a well-known Chippewa chief, also known as "Little Wing", who was an American ally against the British in the War of 1812. It was renamed to Alcona County on March 8, 1843, after a neologism manufactured by Henry Schoolcraft from parts of words from Native American languages, plus Arabic, Greek and Latin[3], which were amalgamated to mean "fine or excellent plain".[4] See and compare, List of Michigan county name etymologies, List of Michigan counties, and List of abolished U.S. counties. Initially, it was attached to Mackinac County for administrative purposes. The attachment shifted to Cheboygan County in 1853, to Alpena County in 1857, Iosco County in 1858, and Alpena County in 1859. Harrisville Township, then comprising the entire county, was organized in 1860. County government was organized in 1869.[5] 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.[6] [edit] Geography
[edit] Geographic Features
Alcona Lake, Badger Lake, Bear Lake, Brownlee Lake, Byron Lake, Cedar Lake, Clear Lake, Crooked Lake, Crystal Lake, Curtis Lake, Honawan Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Hunter Lake, Indian Lake, Jewell Lake, Lost Lake, North Hoist Lake, North Lake, O'Brien Lake, Poplar Lake, Reid Lake, South Hoist Lake, and Tompson Lake.[8] [edit] Highways[edit] US Highways
[edit] Michigan State Trunklines
[edit] Alcona County Intercounty Highways
[edit] Adjacent counties
[edit] National protected area
[edit] GovernmentThe county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only 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. Presently, the Alcona County Circuit Court is part of the 23rd Circuit of Michigan. This is a multicounty circuit, which also includes Arenac, Iosco and Oscoda Counties. Until relatively recently, this court was part of the 26th Circuit, which included Alpena and Montmorency Counties. [edit] Alcona County elected officials
(information as of September 2005) [edit] DemographicsAs of the census 2000,[11] there were 11,719 people, 5,132 households, and 3,566 families residing in the county. 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. 23.0% were of German, 13.5% English, 9.9% American, 9.2% Irish, 7.7% Polish, 7.5% French and 5.0% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English as their first language. There were 5,132 households out of which 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. In the county the population was spread out with 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. [edit] Notable eventsThe annual Alcona County Fair is located at the Alcona Recreation Area site in Lincoln. It occurs near the end of August.[12] [edit] Ignoble personAlcona County has been 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 over 1.2 million dollars from county funds to invest them into a Nigerian scam he fell for.[13][14] 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.[15] [edit] Other affiliations
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
Townships [edit] Historical markersThere are two recognized historical markers in the county:[17]
[edit] Media[edit] Newspapers
[edit] References
[edit] Further reading
[edit] External links
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
