Crawford County, Michigan

County in Michigan, United States

County in Michigan

Crawford County

County

Crawford County Building in Grayling

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°41′N 84°37′W﻿ / ﻿44.68°N 84.61°W﻿ / 44.68; -84.61
Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| 1840[1]
Named after| William Crawford
Seat| Grayling
Largest city| Grayling
Area

• Total

| 563 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Land| 556 sq mi (1,440 km2)
• Water| 7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.2%
Population

• Estimate

(2024)

| 13,599
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| www.crawfordco.org

Crawford County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 12,988 as of the 2020 census.[2] The county seat of Crawford County is Grayling, the county's only incorporated community.[3]

Crawford County is located in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It contains land within three of Michigan's largest watersheds, belonging to the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon rivers and 75% of the county is publicly owned by the Department of Military Affairs, the United States Forest Service or the State of Michigan.[4]

## History

[edit]

A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Crawford County as "Shawwano" (a misspelling of Shawono, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[5]) Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

The county is named for Col. William Crawford,[6] a Revolutionary War officer captured by Native Americans near Sandusky, Ohio and burned at the stake in 1792. Created by the Michigan Legislature as Shawono County in 1840,[7] before being renamed in 1843 as Crawford County. "Shawono" was derived from an Ojibwe word, zhaawanong, meaning "from the south".[8] The area was administered by other Michigan counties before 1879 when the county government was organized.[5][1]

Due to the location in rural northern Michigan, Crawford County's greatest economic growth occurred in the 1800s when lumbering clear-cut most of the extensive forests of Norway pine, birch, maple, beech and hemlock.[9] With the trees gone, tourism became the center of the economy.[10] In the 1870s Crawford County became a popular destination for recreational fishing. The Michigan grayling, found in the Au Sable River, first gained the attention of anglers. The Crawford County Avalanche began publishing a weekly paper in 1879. Their first edition featured a fishing story on the front-page.[10] By the end of the century, the grayling species vanished due to a combination of overfishing, river degradation due to logging, and the impact of human-introduced brown trout. The Au Sable River of today boasts large populations of brown and rainbow trout and remains a premiere trout fishing area in both Michigan and the nation.[10]

### 1900s

[edit]

A 1912 text, A History of Northern Michigan and its people by Perry F. Powers & Harry Gordner Cutler describes Crawford County: The topography is rolling hills but not so steep as to impede farm equipment. The Au Sable River, along with its tributaries, traverse the entire county, providing water and locations for ranching livestock. It also presents an opportunity for superb trout fishing. On the western county line is a natural reservoir that forms the Manistee River.[9] Transportation is primarily provided by the Michigan Central railroad. The Detroit & Charlevoix railroad has track to Frederic, Michigan to the northwest. Half of the land is the county is a gravel loam soil which can produce standard crops. Thousands of acres of clear-cut old growth pine in Crawford County is available to settle. Potatoes, clover and root crops will thrive in this soil. Growing clover seed has become recognized as a “money crop”. Fruit trees are becoming a popular choice with apples being prolific and flavorful. “Plains” soil supports native grasses which stockmen are using for profitable sheep and cattle ranches throughout the county. There are few swamps and lowlands, all along narrow strips beside waterways, which can be productive with proper drainage.[9] Over a hundred years ago, people journeyed "up north" for rest, recreation and their health. Hunting has always been popular, and for wild game, large tracts of second-growth timber on land originally clear-cut provide better food and protection than the original forests did. Deer populations are stable despite the hundreds that are taken every year by settlers and sportsmen.[9]

### Winter Sports Park

[edit]

The Grayling Winter Sports Park (GWSP) was opened in 1929. It started as a toboggan run that grew into Michigan's first ski resort.[11] Following the popular 1932 Winter Olympics, Grayling constructed a 66-foot ski jump in 1934. A few years later, a Winter Carnival was started that included a parade, ice sculpture competition, and a Snow Queen pageant. The park's popularity increased to the point where a "Snow Train" was established to bring skiers to Grayling from across the state.[11] Transportation from Lodges in Grayling to the park was provided by flat-bed trucks. Groomed trails were provided for Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.[11]

The Cass City Chronicle noted in March 1941, "Due to generous support of the federal park service, state conservation department, and Civilian Conservation Corps, Grayling offers today the finest public toboggan set-up in the entire United States, and this isn't paid ballyhoo. Six steel slides are the only ones of their kind anywhere not excluding Lake Placid or Sun Valley (Idaho). Two ski tows have been in operation; next season there will be three."[12]

The Crawford County operated the GWSP into the late 1960s when Fred Bear, owner of Bear Archery, and other local businessmen assumed operational control. It was renamed, Bear Mountain and they attempted to create a commercial ski area to compete with resorts further north.[13] A legal challenge in 1973 resulted in a judgement giving control back to the county, which has operated it since then as Hanson Hills Recreation Area by the Grayling Recreation Authority.[13]

The annual canoe / kayak race record winning time is held by Scott Norman in his significantly modified kayak, which not only gave him the speed record, but also the distance record, as his brakes failed to deploy and he was retrieved by snowmobile outside of the park near M-93. "[12]

### Military

[edit]

Main article: Camp Grayling

In 1913, lumber baron Rasmus Hanson donated 147,000 acres (590 km2) of harvested timberland to the state of Michigan for military training. Most of the land is situated in Crawford County, with parcels in Kalkaska and Otsego counties. Troops first began training there in 1914. It is the primary training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest National Guard training facility in the United States.[14]

### Hartwick Pines

[edit]

Main article: Hartwick Pines State Park

Edward Hartwick graduated from Grayling High School in 1888 and received an appointment to West Point in 1889. Four years later he graduated with high honors and was assigned to the 4th Cavalry. He soon transferred to the 9th Cavalry, known as the Buffalo Soldiers on the western frontier. With the advent of the Spanish–American War, his unit was sent to Cuba where he participated in the Battle of San Juan Hill. At wars end, he returned to Grayling and married Karen Bessie Michelson, then resigned his commission nine months later. He engaged in the banking and lumber business, prospered, and later moved to Detroit. When the United States entered World War I, he volunteered for service at age 46 and was commissioned an Army Major. After just a few months in France, he contracted meningitis and died. In 1927, Karen Michelson Hartwick purchased 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) including the last 85 acres (34 ha) of virgin old growth pine forest in Michigan's lower peninsula and donated it to the state of Michigan to honor her husband. Hartwick Pines State Park is the largest state park in the lower peninsula.

### Fire

[edit]

The Stephen Bridge Road Fire of 1990 was a significant event in Northern Michigan and was reported in the national news.[15]
On a snowy day in March 1990, a homeowner was preparing to burn large brush piles from a section of land he recently cleared. He obtained a burn permit before setting the fire and monitoring it. The large piles smoked and smoldered for a couple of weeks before the fire seemed to burn out. One month later, the fire rekindled, burned for a day, then appeared to go out again. Three weeks passed, and a property owner nearby noticed the pile burning, and less than 20 minutes later had spread to the neighboring woodland.[15][16]
An investigation determined that the fire had been continuously burning at the base of the pile from the middle of March until May 8. On that day, a strong wind brought fresh air and the fire took off. Crews contained the fire in less than two days. But, by the time it was all said and done – almost seven weeks after the first flame was sparked 5,916 acres along 8 miles had burned, $5.5 million in property including 76 homes, 125 other buildings, 37 vehicles & boats[16]and $700,000 in timber had been destroyed.[15][16]

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) produced a case study in 1991 titled, "1990 Stephan Bridge Road Fire, northern Lower Michigan".[17]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 563 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 556 square miles (1,440 km2) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km2) (1.2%) is water.[18] Although it is located on Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Crawford County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The county contains land within three of Michigan's largest watersheds, belonging to the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon rivers.

Crawford County has relatively few lakes, mostly in the northern part of the county. Lake Margrethe is the county's largest and has a surface area of 1,920 acres (7.8 km2). Other water bodies >100 acres include Big Bradford Lake, Big Bear Lake, KP Lake, Shellenbarger Lake, Shupac Lake and Wakeley Lake. Some of these are so-called kettle lakes,' formed by the melting of blocks of glacial ice, left as the glacier retreated, which created a depression in the soil.[19] The Manistee River flows on the western edge of the county; branches of the Au Sable River flow throughout the remainder of the county.

The county is part of the Au Sable State Forest, specifically the Grayling FMU (Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, and northern Iosco counties). Parts of the county are also within the Huron National Forest. Glaciers shaped the area, creating a unique regional ecosystem. A large portion of the area is the so-called Grayling outwash plain, which consists of broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action.[20]

### Rivers

[edit]

* Au Sable River, begins in Otsego County, Michigan and flows through Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, then Iosco before flowing into Lake Huron.
* Manistee River begins in Antrim County, Michigan and flows through Otsego, Crawford, Kalkaska, Wexford, then Manistee before flowing into Lake Michigan.

Neighboring counties

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Otsego County \- north
* Montmorency County \- northeast
* Oscoda County \- east
* Ogemaw County \- southeast
* Roscommon County \- south
* Missaukee County \- southwest
* Kalkaska County \- west
* Antrim County \- northwest

### Protected areas

[edit]

* Huron National Forest (part)
* Au Sable State Forest
* Huron–Manistee National Forests
* Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area

### State Parks

[edit]

* Hartwick Pines State Park
* North Higgins Lake State Park

## Communities

[edit]

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Crawford County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

### City

[edit]

* Grayling

### Charter township

[edit]

* Grayling Charter Township

### Civil townships

[edit]

* Beaver Creek Township
* Frederic Township
* Lovells Township
* Maple Forest Township
* South Branch Township

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Babbits Resort
* Collens Landing
* Danish Landing
* Deerheart Valley
* Eldorado
* Five Corners
* Forbush Corner
* Frederic
* Ishaward
* Lake Margrethe
* Louis Cabin Landing
* Lovells
* McIntyre Landing
* Rasmus
* Skyline Village
* Wildwood

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Bucks
* Deward
* Pere Cheney

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1880| 1,159| | —
1890| 2,962| | 155.6%
1900| 2,943| | −0.6%
1910| 3,934| | 33.7%
1920| 4,049| | 2.9%
1930| 3,097| | −23.5%
1940| 3,765| | 21.6%
1950| 4,151| | 10.3%
1960| 4,971| | 19.8%
1970| 6,482| | 30.4%
1980| 9,465| | 46.0%
1990| 12,260| | 29.5%
2000| 14,273| | 16.4%
2010| 14,074| | −1.4%
2020| 12,988| | −7.7%
2024 (est.)| 13,599| [21]| 4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]
1790-1960[23] 1900-1990[24]
1990-2000[25] 2010-2018[2]

As of the census[26] of 2000, there were 14,273 people, 5,625 households, and 4,038 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 10,042 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). At the 2020 census, its population was 12,988.

In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 96.38% White, 1.50% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.8% were of German, 12.5% English, 10.1% American, 8.9% Irish, 7.4% Polish and 5.9% French ancestry. 97.7% spoke English and 1.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 5,625 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, 24.50% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.30% was from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $33,364, and the median income for a family was $37,056. Males had a median income of $31,504 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,903. About 10.00% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

### Religion

[edit]

Crawford County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.[27] It is also located in the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, based in Saginaw, Michigan.

## Economy

[edit]

The largest employer in the county is Camp Grayling followed by the Grayling Hospital. The small size of the population won't support any big box stores; Tractor Supply Company moved into the building that Kmart vacated in the late 2010s. There have been a few small employers added to the industrial park at West Four Mile Road south of Grayling. Several microbreweries and a new art gallery opened prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and summer tourist spending is rising again.

### Banking

[edit]

Crawford County has branches of two large commercial banks, Fifth Third Bank and Huntington Bank; two area banks, Horizon Bank (from Indiana) and State Savings Bank (from Gaylord); and two Michigan credit unions, Northland Area Federal Credit Union and North Central Area Credit Union.[28]

### Logistics

[edit]

Several trucking companies have operations in Crawford County.

### Media

[edit]

The Crawford County Avalanche states that it has been "Grayling's Hometown Newspaper Since 1879".[29]

### Military

[edit]

Camp Grayling is the primary training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest National Guard training facility in the United States.[14]

## Government

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Crawford County, Michigan[30] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 5,613  | 66.14% | 2,752  | 32.43%  | 122  | 1.44%
2020 | 5,087  | 64.71% | 2,672  | 33.99%  | 102  | 1.30%
2016 | 4,354  | 63.62% | 2,110  | 30.83%  | 380  | 5.55%
2012 | 3,744  | 54.95% | 2,994  | 43.94%  | 76  | 1.12%
2008 | 3,561  | 49.61% | 3,441  | 47.94%  | 176  | 2.45%
2004 | 4,017  | 55.52% | 3,126  | 43.21%  | 92  | 1.27%
2000 | 3,345  | 52.56% | 2,790  | 43.84%  | 229  | 3.60%
1996 | 2,157  | 37.70%  | 2,666  | 46.60% | 898  | 15.70%
1992 | 2,193  | 37.01%  | 2,252  | 38.01% | 1,480  | 24.98%
1988 | 3,097  | 62.28% | 1,825  | 36.70%  | 51  | 1.03%
1984 | 3,303  | 67.46% | 1,558  | 31.82%  | 35  | 0.71%
1980 | 2,652  | 53.42% | 1,826  | 36.78%  | 486  | 9.79%
1976 | 2,359  | 54.82% | 1,889  | 43.90%  | 55  | 1.28%
1972 | 1,953  | 61.98% | 1,143  | 36.27%  | 55  | 1.75%
1968 | 1,266  | 55.04% | 845  | 36.74%  | 189  | 8.22%
1964 | 696  | 32.22%  | 1,464  | 67.78% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,464  | 65.04% | 783  | 34.78%  | 4  | 0.18%
1956 | 1,380  | 71.50% | 547  | 28.34%  | 3  | 0.16%
1952 | 1,331  | 72.53% | 490  | 26.70%  | 14  | 0.76%
1948 | 849  | 63.93% | 455  | 34.26%  | 24  | 1.81%
1944 | 797  | 58.82% | 550  | 40.59%  | 8  | 0.59%
1940 | 873  | 52.53% | 777  | 46.75%  | 12  | 0.72%
1936 | 580  | 38.85%  | 876  | 58.67% | 37  | 2.48%
1932 | 559  | 41.81%  | 755  | 56.47% | 23  | 1.72%
1928 | 776  | 76.30% | 237  | 23.30%  | 4  | 0.39%
1924 | 840  | 72.92% | 163  | 14.15%  | 149  | 12.93%
1920 | 726  | 64.42% | 361  | 32.03%  | 40  | 3.55%
1916 | 409  | 46.21%  | 450  | 50.85% | 26  | 2.94%
1912 | 257  | 34.97% | 185  | 25.17%  | 293  | 39.86%
1908 | 590  | 67.82% | 237  | 27.24%  | 43  | 4.94%
1904 | 587  | 73.56% | 190  | 23.81%  | 21  | 2.63%
1900 | 440  | 62.59% | 252  | 35.85%  | 11  | 1.56%
1896 | 350  | 49.65%  | 350  | 49.65%  | 5  | 0.71%
1892 | 300  | 48.62%  | 306  | 49.59% | 11  | 1.78%
1888 | 436  | 47.14%  | 479  | 51.78% | 10  | 1.08%
1884 | 304  | 56.72% | 223  | 41.60%  | 9  | 1.68%

### Administrative structure

[edit]

Governmental responsibilities within Michigan counties are divided between cities and townships, with the county providing certain services that are economically justified.

### County Commissioners

[edit]

General financial control in Crawford County is vested in a 7-member elected County commission. In Michigan, they have limited authority to make laws or ordinances. Most local government functions are the responsibility of individual cities and townships. The county commission delegates authority to an appointed Controller who functions as the County executive, following the direction of the commission in daily operations and management. The controller in Crawford County is Paul Compo.[31]

District  | Commissioner  | Term Ends

|
|

1  | Laurie Jamison – Chair  | 2026
2  | Dorothy A Frederic  | 2026
3  | Shelly Pinkelman  | 2026
4  | Jamie McClain  | 2026
5  | Carey S. Jansen  | 2026
6  | Sherry M. Powers  | 2026
7  | Phil Lewis – Vice-chair  | 2026

### Law enforcement

[edit]

The Crawford County Sheriff is elected to lead the county's law enforcement department. The sheriff's jurisdiction encompasses all areas where a city or township has not established another Law enforcement agency. The county seat has the Grayling Police Department. The current sheriff is Ryan Swope.[32] The Sheriff is also responsible for the Crawford County Dispatch Center which responds to 911 calls as well as non-emergencies 24 hours a day. They forward calls for fires and medical emergencies throughout the county.[33] The county jail is also staffed and managed by the Sheriff's Department,[34] as is security for the county courts.

### Fire & rescue

[edit]

Firefighting and Emergency services are the responsibility of cities and townships. The City of Grayling and Grayling Charter township have a joint department, with 22 salaried and paid-per call professionals. The remaining townships each have a primarily Volunteer fire department, but all provide mutual and automatic aid to other departments throughout the county and adjacent counties. They also participate in Wildfire suppression due to large forested areas including state parks, National Forests, state forests and wildlife management areas.[35]

### Road department

[edit]

The Crawford County Road Department (CCRD) has responsibility for 180 miles of primary roads, 206 miles of state highways and 526 miles of local roads in the county. The counties 34 CCRD employees and utilize hundreds of pieces of equipment to keep county roadways in good repair. The department is also responsible for traffic signals, flashing beacons, bridges, road signs and culverts within county road rights of way throughout Crawford County's 558 square miles. Normal duties include: roadside brush control, snow and ice removal, roadside mowing, dust control on gravel roads, patching potholes, pavement markings, road & bridge design, inspection of contracted projects, and traffic studies. Five elected road commissioners meet bi-weekly to review, approve and plan department activities.[36]

Road Commissioners  | Term Ends

|

Ryan Halstead – Chairman  | 2024
Gary Summers – Vice Chairman  | 2028
Scott Hanson  | 2028
Cris Jones  | 2026
Ronald J. Larson  | 2026

### Records

[edit]

The County Clerk is responsible for maintaining vital records including divorce/marriage, death/birth, notary, DBA registration, application to carry a concealed pistol, DD214. The officeholder is also Register of Deeds legally recording real/personal property docs, indexes and provides access to mortgages and liens, deeds, UCC transactions, oil/gas/mineral rights. Legal Records involve filing civil cases valued above $25,000 for Circuit Trial Court and processing criminal felony cases transferred from District Court. Unemployment (MESC), Probate Court and driver's license restoration appeals are also filed as well as orders of personal protection. Change of venue, civil/criminal bond money collection, construction lien certificate releases and issuing vendor permits to veterans are also normal processes. The County Clerk position is elected and the current officeholder in Crawford County is Sandra M. Moore.[37]

### Treasurer

[edit]

In other states, the County Treasurer is known as the Tax Collector. Disbursements from the county, including payroll and vendor payments, are made by the treasurer following authorization by the County Commissioners. The treasurer must also maximize the interest earned on undisbursed funds through safe, short-term investments. The treasurer documents the collection of funds to the county which include: property taxes, state and federal grants, interest income, and various service and license fees. The County Clerk collects money in the course of daily business including fines, fees and bonds, then forwards it to the treasurer. The position of treasurer is elected and the current officeholder in Crawford County is Kate M. Wagner.[38]

### Legal

[edit]

Crawford County's chief law enforcement official is the Prosecuting Attorney/County Counsel. They have a multitude of responsibilities that include:

* Prosecution of felony and misdemeanor violations of the criminal laws of Michigan
* Prosecution of violations of County ordinances
* Prosecution of juvenile offenses, both felony & misdemeanor
* Represent the County in Circuit and District Courts; parental neglect and juvenile delinquency; Family Court probate issues; the Court of Appeals; the Supreme Court of Michigan
* Attend commitment hearings for mental health if contested
* Establish paternity and family support orders
* Represent County departments and the County Commission on legal issues

The position of prosecutor is elected and the current officeholder in Crawford County is Sierra R. Koch.[39]

### Judicial

[edit]

There are three courts in Crawford County: Crawford County Probate Court, 46th Circuit Court, and 87-C District Court. The Michigan Supreme Court approved a Concurrent Jurisdiction Plan, an agreement entered into by all Crawford County elected judges. The judicial in the county operates as a unified (single) trial court, resulting in an efficient use of resources. This system reduces repetition, simplifies case processing, provides better customer service, controls costs and reduces receivables. One appointed court administrator assists all the judges with any administrative matter in the court system.[40]

Court  | Official

|

46th Circuit  | Judge George Mertz
46th Circuit  | Judge Colin G. Hunter
87-C District  | Judge Monte J. Burmeister
County  | Magistrate Angie Cragg

### State/National

[edit]

Office  | District  | Officeholder  | Political party[41]

|
|
|

U.S. Representative | 1st | Jack Bergman | Republican
State Senator | 36th | Michele Hoitenga  | Republican
State Representative | 105th | Ken Borton  | Republican

(information as of July 2023)

## Education

[edit]

### Primary and secondary

[edit]

Due to their small population, the county can only sustain one high school, middle school and elementary school. The Crawford AuSable School Board is elected to establish policy to provide the best programs to meet the needs of the students while being fiscally responsible and hiring a superintendent to execute those policies. The current superintendent is Tim Sanchez.[42]

Board Member  | Term Ends

|

Matt Cragg  | 2028
Wendy Kucharek  | 2024
Pam LaGattuta  | 2024
Josh Peters  | 2024
Nicole Persing-Wethington  | 2028
Lori Johnsonn  | 2024
Ryan Finstrom  | 2026

* Crawford AuSable School District serves 1,619 students in Crawford County.[43]
* Grayling Adventist Elementary School serves 9 students.[44]

### Post-secondary

[edit]

Crawford County is home to Kirtland Community College, a public community college in Grayling.[45]

### Public library

[edit]

The Deveraux Memorial Library in Grayling is the public library in Crawford County.[46]

## Infrastructure

[edit]

### Transportation

[edit]

Due to its size, the county has no scheduled bus service and limited taxi service. The Crawford County Transportation Authority offers dial-a-ride service at low rates.[47]

#### Air service

[edit]

Main article: Grayling Army Airfield

Crawford County is not served by commercial airlines. Grayling Army Airfield, (ICAO: KGOV, FAA LID: GOV) is a public/military use airport located one nautical mile (1.85 km) northwest of the central business district of Grayling. Built in 1977, the United States Army owns it, and a fixed-base operator provides support services to general aviation users.

#### Bus service

[edit]

* Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service in Grayling between St. Ignace and East Lansing, Michigan.[48]

#### Major highways

[edit]

* I-75 from Detroit in the south enters on the west side of Crawford County, passes to the east of Grayling, and connects with the Mackinac Bridge to the north.
* BL I-75 is a business loop route running through Grayling. It follows the former route of US 27, in part.
* US 127 in Lansing goes north through Clare into Roscommon County where it enters Crawford County and terminates at I-75 in Beaver Creek township south of Grayling.[49]
* M-18 begins on M-72 in South Branch Township near the Oscoda County line and runs south before curving to the west in a loop to Roscommon.
* M-72 is one of only three roads that stretch east–west from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. It enters South Branch Township from Oscoda County in the southeast, passes through Grayling and continues northeast through Frederic Township to Traverse City.
* M-93 is an 11-mile (18 km) route connecting the main gate of Michigan Army National Guard's Camp Grayling, 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Grayling, with Hartwick Pines State Park, 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Grayling.
* F-32 begins at BL I-75/M-93 on the northern edge of Grayling and continues east toward Mio.
* F-97 is a north–south route that begins at Gladwin and goes north through Prudenville, St. Helen, follows M-18 in Crawford County, then continues into southern Otsego County.
* County Highway 612 is an east–west roadway that starts southwest of Manistee Lake in Manistee county and continues east through Frederic in northern Crawford County, has an interchange at I-75, passes through Lewiston and ends at M-33 in Montmorency county.

#### Bicycle route

[edit]

* There are bicycle lanes identified on some roadways.
* Grayling Bicycle Turnpike begins at Hartwick Pines State Park and parallels  M-93 for 6.5 miles, ending at Michigan Avenue in Grayling.

### Utilities

[edit]

The City of Grayling provides municipal water and sewer to residents,[50] and Beaver Creek/GraylingTownship Utility Authority provides municipal water and sewer to residents on the Four Mile Road corridor.[51] All other county residents utilize well water and private septic systems approved by the Crawford County Health Department.[52]

Electrical service throughout the county is provided by either Consumers Energy or Great Lakes Energy Co-op. Natural gas is provided by DTE Energy.[53] Propane Service is provided by half a dozen providers.

### Health

[edit]

* Senior Citizen assistance is provided by Crawford County Commission on Aging, who also sponsor a Senior Center and numerous programs and services to the elderly.[54]
* The Crawford County Health Department also offers services to seniors and low income residents.
* The primary provider of healthcare in Crawford County is Munson Healthcare with the Grayling Community Health Center and Grayling Hospital.[55]

## See also

[edit]

* List of counties in Michigan
* List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Crawford County, Michigan
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Crawford County, Michigan

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Crawford County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "COUNTY HISTORY". crawfordco.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
5. ^ a b Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
6. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 95.
7. ^ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
8. ^ "zhaawanong (adv loc) | The Ojibwe People's Dictionary". ojibwe.lib.umn.edu. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
9. ^ a b c d Perry F. Powers, Harry Gordner Cutler. "A History of Northern Michigan and its people". Genealogy Trails. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
10. ^ a b c "About Crawford avalanche". Chronicling America.loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
11. ^ a b c Smith, Jim. "The way it used to be". Upnorthvoice.com. AuSable Media. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
12. ^ a b "Grayling Winter Sports". Cass City Chronicle. Cass City Chronicle. March 14, 1941.
13. ^ a b "Hanson Hills - Our History". Hansonhills.org. Grayling Recreation Authority. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
14. ^ a b "Camp Grayling". minationalguard.dodlive.mil. Michigan National Guard. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
15. ^ a b c Block, Kelsey (May 23, 2018). "Caution can help prevent human-caused wildfires". Petoskey News.com. News-Review. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
16. ^ a b c "Stephan Bridge Road Fire Case Study" (PDF). denix.osd.mil. National Fire Protection Assn. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
17. ^ M.E. Alexander, D.A. Thomas. "WILDLAND FIRE BEHAVIOR CASE STUDIES AND ANALYSES: OTHER EXAMPLES, METHODS, REPORTING STANDARDS, AND SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE" (PDF). cfs.nrcan.gc.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
18. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
19. ^ Veach, J.O. (1927). Soil Survey of Crawford County, Michigan (No. 29 ed.). US Department of Agriculture. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
20. ^ "NPWRC :: Regional Landscape". usgs.gov. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013.
21. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
22. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
23. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
24. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
25. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
26. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
27. ^ "The Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan:+ A Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church". Diocese of Gaylord.
28. ^ "FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS". cityofgrayling.or. City of Grayling, Michigan. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
29. ^ "Crawford County Avalanche". Crawfordcountyavalanche.com. Crawford County Avalanche, Inc. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
30. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
31. ^ "Administrator/Controllers Office". crawfordco.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
32. ^ "Crawford County Sheriff's Office". crawfordco.org/. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
33. ^ "Crawford County Sheriff's Office". crawfordco.org/. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
34. ^ "Crawford County Sheriff's Office". crawfordco.org/. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
35. ^ "Grayling Fire Department". cityofgrayling.org. City of Grayling, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
36. ^ "Crawford County Road Commission". crawford-crc.com. Crawford County Road Commission. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
37. ^ "Treasurer's Office". crawfordco.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
38. ^ "Treasurer's Office". crawfordco.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
39. ^ "Treasurer's Office". crawfordco.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
40. ^ "Crawford County Courts and Friend of the Court". circuit46.org. State of Michigan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
41. ^ "Genesee County, Michigan - Cumulative Results" (PDF). Genesee County, Michigan. November 22, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
42. ^ "Administrative Offices". casdk12.net. Crawford AuSable School District. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
43. ^ "Crawford AuSable School District". casdk12.net. Crawford County Board of Education. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
44. ^ "Grayling Adventist Elementary School". privateschoolreview.com. Private School Review. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
45. ^ "Kirtland Community College". kirtland.edu. Kirtland Community College. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
46. ^ "Crawford County Library". crawfordcolibrary.org. Crawford County Library Michigan. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
47. ^ "Crawford County Dial-a-ride". crawfordbus.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
48. ^ "EAST LANSING-PETOSKEY-ST. IGNACE" (PDF). Indian Trails. January 15, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
49. ^ "Picture of northern terminus US 127 at Grayling, Michigan". Archived from the original on May 23, 2008.
50. ^ "Grayling Wastewater Treatment Facility". Michigan.gov. State of Michigan. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
51. ^ "Beaver Creek/Grayling Township Utility Authority Water Tank and Waste Water Treatment Plant". twp.grayling.mi.us. Grayling Township, Michigan. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
52. ^ "Apply for a New Well/Septic". dhd10.org. Michigan Dept of Health District 10. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
53. ^ "Michigan Service Areas of Electric and Gas Utilities". Michigan Public Service Commission. State of Michigan. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
54. ^ "Crawford County Commission on Aging". crawfordcoa.org. Crawford County, Michigan. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
55. ^ "Grayling Community Health Center". munsonhealthcare.org. Munson Healthcare, Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* "Bibliography on Crawford County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
* Crawford County government
* Enchanted forest, Northern Michigan source for information, calendars, etc.

Places adjacent to Crawford County, Michigan

| Antrim County | Otsego County | Montmorency County

|
|

|  |
Kalkaska County |

Crawford County, Michigan

| Oscoda County
|  |
Missaukee County | Roscommon County | Ogemaw County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Crawford County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Grayling

City|

* Grayling

Map of Michigan

Charter township|

* Grayling

Civil townships|

* Beaver Creek
* Frederic
* Lovells
* Maple Forest
* South Branch

Unincorporated
communities|

* Babbits Resort
* Collens Landing
* Danish Landing
* Deerheart Valley
* Eldorado
* Five Corners
* Forbush Corner
* Frederic
* Ishaward
* Lake Margrethe
* Louis Cabin Landing
* Lovells
* McIntyre Landing
* Rasmus
* Skyline Village
* Wildwood

Ghost towns|

* Bucks
* Deward
* Pere Cheney

* Michigan portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Northern Michigan

Central cities|

* Alpena
* Cadillac
* Charlevoix
* Gaylord
* Petoskey
* Traverse City

Counties|

* Alcona
* Alpena
* Antrim
* Arenac
* Benzie
* Charlevoix
* Cheboygan
* Clare
* Crawford
* Emmet
* Gladwin
* Grand Traverse
* Iosco
* Kalkaska
* Lake
* Leelanau
* Manistee
* Missaukee
* Montmorency
* Ogemaw
* Osceola
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon
* Wexford

Geography|

* Au Sable River
* Cheboygan River
* Elk River watershed
* Grand Traverse Bay
* Houghton Lake
* Inland Waterway
* Leelanau Peninsula
* Lake Charlevoix
* Lake Huron
* Lake Michigan
* Little Traverse Bay
* Manistee River
* Straits of Mackinac
* Thunder Bay
* Walloon Lake

Transportation|

* BATA
* Charlevoix Municipal Airport
* Cherry Capital Airport
* Great Lakes Central Railroad
* Lake State Railway
* Mackinac Bridge
* Pellston Regional Airport
* SS Badger

Economy|

* Cherry production in Michigan
* East Jordan Iron Works
* Georgia-Pacific
* Holcim
* Lafarge Cement
* Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company
* Michigan wine
* USG Corporation
* Weyerhaeuser

* Michigan
* Central Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* Upper Peninsula
* West Michigan

* v
* t
* e

State of Michigan

Lansing (capital)

Topics|

* Climate change
* Congressional delegation
* Cuisine
* Fauna
* Geography
* Government
* Highways
* History
* Index
* Islands
* Law
* Lighthouses
* Municipalities
* Museums
* National Historic Landmarks
* National Register of Historic Places listings
* People
* State Historic Sites
* State parks
* Symbols
* Tallest buildings
* Timeline
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Abortion
* Cannabis
* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Elections
* Homelessness
* LGBT rights
* Gun laws
* Politics

Regions|

| Upper Peninsula|

* Copper Country
* Gogebic Range
* Keweenaw Peninsula

|

Lower Peninsula|

* Central Michigan
* Metro Detroit
* Michiana
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* The Thumb
* West Michigan

Largest
municipalities|

* Ann Arbor
* Battle Creek
* Bloomfield Township
* Canton
* Chesterfield Township
* Clinton Township
* Commerce Township
* Dearborn
* Dearborn Heights
* Detroit
* East Lansing
* Farmington Hills
* Flint
* Georgetown Township
* Grand Blanc Township
* Grand Rapids
* Holland Township
* Independence Township
* Kalamazoo
* Kentwood
* Lansing
* Lincoln Park
* Livonia
* Macomb Township
* Meridian Township
* Midland
* Muskegon
* Novi
* Orion Township
* Pittsfield Township
* Pontiac
* Portage
* Redford
* Rochester Hills
* Roseville
* Royal Oak
* Saginaw
* Saginaw Township
* St. Clair Shores
* Shelby Township
* Southfield
* Sterling Heights
* Taylor
* Troy
* Warren
* Waterford Township
* West Bloomfield
* Westland
* Wyoming
* Ypsilanti Township

Counties|

* Alcona
* Alger
* Allegan
* Alpena
* Antrim
* Arenac
* Baraga
* Barry
* Bay
* Benzie
* Berrien
* Branch
* Calhoun
* Cass
* Charlevoix
* Cheboygan
* Chippewa
* Clare
* Clinton
* Crawford
* Delta
* Dickinson
* Eaton
* Emmet
* Genesee
* Gladwin
* Gogebic
* Grand Traverse
* Gratiot
* Hillsdale
* Houghton
* Huron
* Ingham
* Ionia
* Iosco
* Iron
* Isabella
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Kalkaska
* Kent
* Keweenaw
* Lake
* Lapeer
* Leelanau
* Lenawee
* Livingston
* Luce
* Mackinac
* Macomb
* Manistee
* Marquette
* Mason
* Mecosta
* Menominee
* Midland
* Missaukee
* Monroe
* Montcalm
* Montmorency
* Muskegon
* Newaygo
* Oakland
* Oceana
* Ogemaw
* Ontonagon
* Osceola
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Ottawa
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon
* Saginaw
* Sanilac
* Schoolcraft
* Shiawassee
* St. Clair
* St. Joseph
* Tuscola
* Van Buren
* Washtenaw
* Wayne
* Wexford

Michigan portal

44°41′N 84°37′W﻿ / ﻿44.68°N 84.61°W﻿ / 44.68; -84.61

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template