Clare County
Clare County is a county located in the central region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Established in 1840 and organized in 1871, the county is known for its forests, rivers, outdoor recreation, logging heritage, and central location within the state. The county seat is Harrison, while the largest city is Clare. The county is often considered part of both Central Michigan and Northern Michigan. 1) 2) :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Michigan |
| County Seat | Harrison |
| Largest City | Clare |
| Established | 1840 |
| Organized | 1871 |
| Region | Central Michigan / Northern Michigan |
| Population (2020) | 30,856 |
| Area | 575 sq mi |
| Known For | Logging, Recreation, Forests, Oil & Gas |
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Etymology
When first created in 1840, the county was named:
- Kaykakee County
after a Sauk leader. In 1843, the name was changed to Clare County, reportedly by an Irish surveyor who named it after:
- County Clare, Ireland
4) 5) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Geography
Clare County is located near the center of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and borders:
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Major waterways include:
- Tobacco River
- Pine River
The county contains extensive forests, wetlands, lakes, and recreational lands. Portions of the:
- Au Sable State Forest
are located within the county. 7) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Indigenous History
Prior to European-American settlement, the region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples including:
- Ojibwe
- Odawa
- Potawatomi
The forests, rivers, and lakes of the area supported hunting, fishing, trapping, and trade throughout the Great Lakes region. 8)
Early History
For much of its early existence, Clare County had very little permanent settlement.
After its creation in 1840, the county was administered by neighboring counties until local government was formally organized in 1871. 9) 10) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
The arrival of railroads and the lumber industry transformed the region during the late nineteenth century.
Lumber Era
Clare County became one of Michigan's important logging regions.
The county's vast white pine forests supported:
- Logging Camps
- Sawmills
- Railroad Construction
- Lumber Transportation
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One of the county's most significant developments was the:
- Lake George & Muskegon Railroad
which helped transport timber and supplies throughout the region. 12) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
The lumber industry fueled rapid settlement and economic growth throughout the county during the late nineteenth century.
Clare
The largest city in the county is:
Founded in 1870 with the arrival of the Pere Marquette Railroad, Clare became an important transportation and commercial center. 13) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
The city is often known as:
- “The Gateway to the North”
- “The Crossroads of Michigan”
because of its central location and transportation connections. 14) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Harrison
The county seat is:
The county seat was originally located in Farwell but was moved to Harrison in 1877. 15) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Today, Harrison serves as the center of county government and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation.
Oil and Gas Development
During the twentieth century, Clare County experienced a second economic boom with the discovery of:
- Oil
- Natural Gas
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Energy production became an important component of the county economy and supplemented traditional industries such as agriculture and forestry.
Recreation
Outdoor recreation is one of the county's most important industries.
Popular activities include:
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Boating
- Snowmobiling
- Hiking
- ORV Riding
- Bird Watching
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Major attractions include:
- Kirtland's Warbler Habitat
- Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail
- Numerous Inland Lakes
- State Forest Lands
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Agriculture
Following the decline of the lumber industry, portions of Clare County were converted to agricultural use.
Major agricultural activities include:
- Livestock Production
- Dairy Farming
- Corn
- Hay
- Specialty Crops
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Agriculture remains an important part of the county's rural economy.
Communities
Major communities within Clare County include:
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The county consists of sixteen civil townships and numerous unincorporated communities.
Government
County government administers:
- Courts
- Elections
- Public Records
- Public Health
- Sheriff's Office
- Emergency Services
County offices are headquartered in:
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Legacy
Clare County has contributed to Michigan history through its:
- Lumber Industry
- Railroad Development
- Forestry
- Oil and Gas Production
- Outdoor Recreation
Today, the county remains one of Michigan's most popular recreation destinations and serves as a gateway between Central and Northern Michigan. 23) 24) :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
See Also
References
counties clare_county clare harrison logging forestry recreation central_michigan northern_michigan