Grayling, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Grayling is a city in the U.S. state
of Michigan
and the county seat
of Crawford County
. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census
. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish
that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams.
Grayling is situated within Grayling Township
, though it is politically independent. It is located in the middle of Northern Michigan
. The highways make it the natural 'gateway' to much of "up north," as locals and many visitors would call it.
and US-127
, and the junction with M-72
, an east-west cross-peninsular state highway route.
of 2000, there were 1,952 people, 828 households, and 481 families residing in the city. The population density
was 972.1 per square mile (375.0/km²). There were 895 housing units at an average density of 445.7 per square mile (171.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.88% White, 0.51% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 828 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% were married couples
living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.3% 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 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 78.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,250, and the median income for a family was $29,850. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $20,060 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,089. About 21.6% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
There are a number of recurring events in the area. A calendar is available.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Crawford County
Crawford County, Michigan
See also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census 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 . There were 10,042 housing units at an average density of 18 per...
. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish
Grayling (genus)
Thymallus is a genus of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes; it is the only genus of subfamily Thymallinae. The type species is T. thymallus, the grayling. The genus's five distinct species are generically called graylings, but without qualification this also refers...
that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams.
Grayling is situated within Grayling Township
Grayling Township, Michigan
Grayling Township is a charter township of Crawford County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,516 at the 2000 census.The City of Grayling lies within the township, although it is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
, though it is politically independent. It is located in the middle of Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...
. The highways make it the natural 'gateway' to much of "up north," as locals and many visitors would call it.
History
- Michael Sloat Hartwick was Grayling's first settler. On the west side of the railroad tracks, he built a log hotel. The railroad platted out 40 acres (where Grayling now stands), naming it "Crawford." Fish swimming in the river were identified as Grayling. It is said that the residents preferred that name to "Crawford," and renamed it after the fish.
- Grayling's access to two major rivers (and the presence of the vast forest around it), made it important in the lumber era. Logs were floated down the rivers to the lakes.
- Railroads helped make Grayling a hub of activity. By the 1920s, lumbering faded and recreation became a mainstay.
- Grayling had other names through the years. It was called "AuSable", "Forest", "Crawford Station", and during the lumbering era "Milltown".
- The Grayling Fish Hatchery was founded in 1914 by timber baron Rasmus Hanson (1846–1927). He hoped to restore the GraylingGrayling (species)The grayling is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is the type species of its genus. Native to the Palearctic ecozone, the grayling is widespread throughout northern Europe, from the United Kingdom and France to the Ural Mountains in Russia...
to the Au Sable RiverAu Sable River (Michigan)The Au Sable River in Michigan runs approximately through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the towns of Grayling and Mio, and enters Lake Huron at Oscoda. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies and has been designated a blue ribbon trout stream by the...
system; ironically its disappearance was caused, at least in part, by the massive habitat destruction caused by logging, which was the source of Mr. Hanson's and other lumber barons' immense wealth. Other famous contributors to the initial costs of the Hatchery included Henry FordHenry FordHenry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
, Edsel FordEdsel FordEdsel Bryant Ford , son of Henry Ford, was born in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 until his death in 1943.-Life and career:...
, and Thomas EdisonThomas EdisonThomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
. Sadly, the Grayling became extinct in Michigan. Nevertheless, the Hatchery continued to play an important role in natural resource conservation. In 1926 it was sold to the State of Michigan. It continued to be operated as a fish hatchery and tourist attraction until the mid 1960’s. In 1995 the State of Michigan sold the property to Crawford County. It is being operated by the Grayling Recreation Authority which is actively involved in its restoration.
Geography
- The middle branch of the Au Sable River passes through the city.
- According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all land.
- Nearby Camp GraylingCamp GraylingCamp Grayling, near Grayling, is located primarily in Crawford County, Michigan, and spreads over three counties. Camp Grayling is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest National Guard training facility in the nation....
(donated by Rasmus Hanson) is the nation's largest National Guard training site and the largest military installation east of the Mississippi RiverMississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. 147000 acres (594.9 km²) are used for year-round training conducted by the U.S. National Guard, as well as active and reserve components of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.
- The city is near Lake Margrethe.
- Hartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State Park is a 9,672 acre State Park in the US state of Michigan, located in Crawford County near Grayling and Interstate 75. It is the third largest state park on Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the state's fifth-biggest park overall...
is just 7 miles (11.3 km) north and northeast of Grayling.
- The Huron portion of the Huron-Manistee National ForestsHuron-Manistee National ForestsThe Huron-Manistee National Forests are two national forests combined in 1945 for administration purposes and which comprise of public lands, including of wetlands, extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. The Huron-Manistee National Forests provide recreation opportunities...
is about the same distance due east.
- If one travels to the east along the Au Sable River, one encounters River Road, which runs parallel to it. It is a designated National Scenic BywayNational Scenic BywayA National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
for the 23 miles (37 km) that go into OscodaOscoda, MichiganOscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...
. The Lumberman's MonumentLumberman's MonumentLumberman's Monument is a monument dedicated to the workers of the early logging industry in Michigan. It was built in 1931, dedicated in 1932 and is managed by the USDA Forest Service . It is located in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan along the Au Sable River within...
is located along the byway. - There is an oilfield about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of m-93 on Military Rd.
Geographic features
- Au Sable RiverAu Sable River (Michigan)The Au Sable River in Michigan runs approximately through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the towns of Grayling and Mio, and enters Lake Huron at Oscoda. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies and has been designated a blue ribbon trout stream by the...
- Manistee RiverManistee RiverThe Manistee River in the U.S. state of Michigan, runs approximately 232 miles through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the villages of Sharon, Smithville, Mesick, and enters Lake Michigan at Manistee. It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east...
- Lake Margrethe
- Much of the area sits on the "Grayling outwash plain", a unique habitat named for the City.
- There is a nearby oilfield.
Major highways
Grayling is 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the confluence of two major north-south freeways: I-75Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
and US-127
U.S. Route 127
U.S. Route 127 is a long north–south United States highway in the eastern half of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The northern terminus is at Interstate 75 near Grayling, Michigan...
, and the junction with M-72
M-72 (Michigan highway)
M-72 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, running from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan across the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The highway connects M-22 in Empire with US Highway 23 in Harrisville. It is one of only three Michigan state trunklines that cross the Lower...
, an east-west cross-peninsular state highway route.
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I-75 Interstate 75 Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border... passes to the east the city and connects with the Mackinac Bridge Mackinac Bridge The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages... to the north and Saginaw Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan... and Detroit Detroit, Michigan Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River... to the south |
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I-75 Business Loop or BL I-75 is a loop route running through Grayling. It follows the former route of US-27 U.S. Route 27 U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana... , in part. |
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US-127 U.S. Route 127 U.S. Route 127 is a long north–south United States highway in the eastern half of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The northern terminus is at Interstate 75 near Grayling, Michigan... ends south of Grayling and continues southerly toward Clare Clare, Michigan Clare is a city in Clare and Isabella counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located primarily in Clare County, the city had a population of 3,173 at the 2000 census.... and Lansing Lansing, Michigan Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan... . |
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M-72 M-72 (Michigan highway) M-72 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, running from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan across the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The highway connects M-22 in Empire with US Highway 23 in Harrisville. It is one of only three Michigan state trunklines that cross the Lower... passes through the city and is one of three state highway routes that runs east-west across the entire lower peninsula, from Empire Empire, Michigan Empire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 378 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Empire Township.-Description:... on Lake Michigan Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron... to Grayling and east to Harrisville Harrisville, Michigan Harrisville is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alcona County. The population was 493 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Harrisville Township, but is administratively autonomous... on Lake Huron Lake Huron Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States... . |
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M-93 M-93 (Michigan highway) M-93 is the designation of a state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It links both Camp Grayling and Hartwick Pines State Park with Interstate 75 . Both termini of M-93 end at locations, rather than junctions with another road. The western end of M-93 turns... is an 11 miles (17.7 km) route connecting the main gate of Michigan Army National Guard Army National Guard Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors... 's Camp Grayling Camp Grayling Camp Grayling, near Grayling, is located primarily in Crawford County, Michigan, and spreads over three counties. Camp Grayling is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest National Guard training facility in the nation.... , 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Grayling, with Hartwick Pines State Park Hartwick Pines State Park Hartwick Pines State Park is a 9,672 acre State Park in the US state of Michigan, located in Crawford County near Grayling and Interstate 75. It is the third largest state park on Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the state's fifth-biggest park overall... , 7 miles (11.3 km) northeast of Grayling. |
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F-32 begins at BL I-75/M-93 on the northern edge of the city and continues toward Mio Mio, Michigan Mio is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County and is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township on the east and Big Creek Township on the west.... . |
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,952 people, 828 households, and 481 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 972.1 per square mile (375.0/km²). There were 895 housing units at an average density of 445.7 per square mile (171.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.88% White, 0.51% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 828 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.3% 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 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 78.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,250, and the median income for a family was $29,850. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $20,060 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,089. About 21.6% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Recreation
- Grayling is noted as the "Canoe Capital of the World". There are a number of canoe liveries that operate on the Au Sable River, with Penrod's Canoe Livery receiving the People's Choice Award for five out of the last six years, and Manistee RiverManistee RiverThe Manistee River in the U.S. state of Michigan, runs approximately 232 miles through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the villages of Sharon, Smithville, Mesick, and enters Lake Michigan at Manistee. It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east...
nearby. - Cross country skiing is an important opportunity in Grayling. It is blessed with two of the top-rated cross country venues in Michigan, namely Hartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State Park is a 9,672 acre State Park in the US state of Michigan, located in Crawford County near Grayling and Interstate 75. It is the third largest state park on Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the state's fifth-biggest park overall...
Trails and Mason Tract Pathway. Forbush corners in nearby Frederic, Michigan is a world-recognized center for education and training in cross country skiing, and benefits from early and late snow due to a 'snow belt micro climate.' Accomplished amateur ski racer David Forbush designed, maintains, and grooms "one of the finest privately owned systems in the Midwest." - The GraylingGrayling (genus)Thymallus is a genus of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes; it is the only genus of subfamily Thymallinae. The type species is T. thymallus, the grayling. The genus's five distinct species are generically called graylings, but without qualification this also refers...
are gone, but the rainbow troutRainbow troutThe rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, brook troutBrook troutThe brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
and steelhead remain. Grayling is a hotbed of fly fishingFly fishingFly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
and anglingAnglingAngling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
on the edge of some world class streams, rivers and lakes. Particularly notable are two nearby rivers which parallel each other: the Au Sable River which runs East to Lake HuronLake HuronLake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
and the Manistee RiverManistee RiverThe Manistee River in the U.S. state of Michigan, runs approximately 232 miles through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the villages of Sharon, Smithville, Mesick, and enters Lake Michigan at Manistee. It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east...
which runs West to Lake MichiganLake MichiganLake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
. Trout and steelhead abound, driven to a feeding frenzy by prolific and multiple insect hatches. - As is true in the rest of Michigan, White-tailed deerWhite-tailed DeerThe white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
huntingHuntingHunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
is locally considered to be a 'sacrament' and the firearms deer opener (November 15) its 'holy day of obligation.' With 70% of Crawford County owned by federal and state government, and open to the public, it was once a popular hunting destination. However, due to the youth hunt and issuance of several antlerless tags, deer are few and far between.http://www.mancelonachamber.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=64 http://outdoornews.com/michigan/news/article_2ae00f61-54db-5203-b179-c1d619f3a986.html - Snow shoeing and snow mobile riding are activities that fit right in to the local weather and topography.
- Hanson Hills was the first down hill skiSkiingSkiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
area in Michigan. It opened in 1929. - Michigan Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail passes through Grayling. It runs from EmpireEmpire, MichiganEmpire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 378 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Empire Township.-Description:...
to OscodaOscoda, MichiganOscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...
, and points north and south. It is a 500 miles (804.7 km) interconnected system of trails. - The Kirtland's WarblerKirtland's WarblerKirtland's Warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family , named after Jared P. Kirtland, an Ohio doctor and amateur naturalist. Nearly extinct just 50 years ago, it is well on its way to recovery. It requires large areas of dense young jack pine for its breeding habitat...
has its habitat in the area. There is a Kirtland's Warbler Festival, which is sponsored in part by Kirtland Community College.
Historical sites and local events
The area is proud of its history, and has preserved landmarks, which it uses for historical events, including reenactments.- Crawford County Historical Museum. Located in downtown's restored railroad depot, the museum offers a nostalgic look at the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly the lumbering era. The depot was saved from demoition by a community effort. The grounds also include a caboose, a military building dedicated to Camp Grayling and local ex-military personnel, a trapper's cabin, and an old fashioned fire station.
- Wellington Farm Park is a 60 acres (242,811.6 m²), non-profit living history museum It is dedicated to interpretation of farm life during the Great Depression. Many farming activities are conducted daily with vintage equipment, tools, and methods. The park has many historical buildings including a blacksmith shop, farm market, gristmill, pavilion, sawmill, and summer kitchen. A nature trail is there. A farm market at Wellington is open seven days a week offering animal and bird feed, fresh fruits and vegetables, maple syrup, homemade soup. Several events are hosted throughout the summer and fall, including the "Walk Through History" and "Flat Belt" festivals, a reenactment from the French and Indian War, "Pumpkinfest" and Halloween Hayrides, and numerous weekend activities. the farm is located on Military Road West of I-75. There is an annual tractor and engine show held in late summer. Area farmers (and visitors) gather together to celebrate the harvest season. Blacksmithing, gristmills, engines, sawmills, thrashers, and tranctors are in full operation.
- Lake Margrethe is big and beautiful. It is an important attraction of Camp GraylingCamp GraylingCamp Grayling, near Grayling, is located primarily in Crawford County, Michigan, and spreads over three counties. Camp Grayling is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest National Guard training facility in the nation....
, and was named after the wife of Rasmus Hanson. It is a favorite fishing and recreation lake for soldiers in their off-duty hours, but also sees much use from area residents, campers and tourists, who access it from the state forest campground located at the lake's northwest corner. - Michigan Museum of Military Transport.
- See also List of Historical Markers in Crawford County, MichiganCrawford County, MichiganSee also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census 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 . There were 10,042 housing units at an average density of 18 per...
.
There are a number of recurring events in the area. A calendar is available.
- Grayling is the starting point for the Weyerhauser Au Sable River Canoe MarathonAu Sable River Canoe MarathonThe ' is an annual canoe race in Michigan from Grayling to Oscoda. It first ran in 1947, is perhaps the oldest marathon canoe race in the United States, and is the longest, non-stop, canoe-only race in North America...
which runs 120 miles (193.1 km) from Grayling to Oscoda, MichiganOscoda, MichiganOscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...
. It is one of three marathon races that constitute canoe racingCanoe racingThis article discusses canoe sprint and canoe marathon, competitive forms of canoeing and kayaking on more or less flat water. Both sports are governed by the International Canoe Federation ....
's Triple Crown. The race is always held the last full weekend in July during the town's annual Milltown Festival. - Hartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State Park is a 9,672 acre State Park in the US state of Michigan, located in Crawford County near Grayling and Interstate 75. It is the third largest state park on Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the state's fifth-biggest park overall...
– the location of one of the few remaining virgin Eastern White PineEastern White PinePinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
forests – has events throughout the year. Particularly notable are "cross country skiing by candle light" on numerous dates throughout the winter. - Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts, located at the Kirtland Community CollegeKirtland Community College-Online & Campus Courses:Kirtland Community College offers traditional and online college courses. It is one of the few colleges in the nation with entirely online science classes. Kirtland has created a college without borders while continuing to cater to local students wanting hands-on training...
in Roscommon, MichiganRoscommon, MichiganRoscommon is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,133. It is the county seat of Roscommon County....
hosts many visiting performers, including regular visits from The Second CityThe Second CityThe Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
traveling ensemble.
Officials
- City Manager is David A. Thayer, who was arrested for allegedly leaking social security numbers.
- Grayling City Hall, 1020 City Boulevard, P.O. Box 549, Grayling, MI 49738 Phone (989) 348-2131 Fax (989) 348-6752
Media
- The Crawford County Avalanche is the newspaper of record for Crawford County, and is published in Grayling, Michigan.