Houghton Lake, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Houghton Lake is an unincorporated community in Roscommon Township
, Roscommon County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The Census Bureau has defined a census-designated place
(CDP) for statistical purposes with the same name. The population was 3,749 at the 2000 census.
The community is situated on the southwest shore of Houghton Lake
. The CDP includes the nearby community of Houghton Lake Heights, which is about one mile northwest along the shore of the lake. M-55
runs through both communities. The community of Prudenville
is adjacent to the CDP on the east, at the southeast end of the lake. US 127
passes just west of the communities. A small portion of the CDP area extends into Lake Township
to the north.
Houghton Lake, originally named "Roscommon Lake," welcomed its first white settlers, the Emery's, in 1873. Augustus Emery, his wife and their 7 children left their home in Chesaning, Michigan making their way, on foot, to an area three miles south of the lake via the well-known Saginaw Trail. It was here that Mr. Emery and his three sons, Augustus, Jr., 21, William, 19, and Harvey, 17 would construct the family home on 160 acres of homesteaded property.
Shortly after the arrival of the Emery's, lumbering became the primary industry in the area. As saw mills sprung up around lumber camps, more settlers arrived. Around 1883, a community at Houghton Lake had been created. Later, towards the end of the 19th century, the building of railroads provided transport for people from Detroit and other towns giving rise to a resort industry the area continues to be known for today. In 1879, after the untimely death of famous physician/explorer/geologist Douglass Houghton, Roscommon Lake was honorably renamed Houghton Lake. In 1927, the "Johnson Dance Hall," presently known as "The Playhouse," was erected and served for many years as the entertainment center for the area. Houghton Lake and the surrounding areas would continue to grow as a lumbering and resort community.
, the CDP has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.4 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (21.49%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,749 people, 1,646 households, and 1,030 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 633.6 per square mile (244.5/km²). There were 3,057 housing units at an average density of 516.6 per square mile (199.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.95% White, 0.35% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races
, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.
There were 1,646 households out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,443, and the median income for a family was $30,735. Males had a median income of $23,346 versus $16,111 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $16,862. About 10.2% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
*"Canoe the AuSable River"
Capsules of Time, A Saga of Houghton Lake, Bulah Carman, 1997, Bamkov Printing.
Roscommon Township, Michigan
Roscommon Township is a civil township located in southern Roscommon County, Michigan at the south end of Houghton Lake. The population was 4,249 at the 2000 census....
, Roscommon County
Roscommon County, Michigan
-Local attractions and activities:The community is centered in the area of two very large lakes, in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:...
in the U.S. state
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"....
. The Census Bureau has defined a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) for statistical purposes with the same name. The population was 3,749 at the 2000 census.
The community is situated on the southwest shore of Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake (Michigan)
Houghton Lake is a large lake in Roscommon County. The unincorporated community of Prudenville is at the southeastern end of the lake, while the unincorporated communities of Houghton Lake and Houghton Lake Heights are on the southwest and west shores...
. The CDP includes the nearby community of Houghton Lake Heights, which is about one mile northwest along the shore of the lake. M-55
M-55 (Michigan highway)
M-55 is a state trunkline highway in the northern part of the US state of Michigan. M-55 is one of only three state highways that extend across the Lower Peninsula from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan; the others are M-46 and M-72. The highway crosses through rural forest and farmlands to connect...
runs through both communities. The community of Prudenville
Prudenville, Michigan
Prudenville is an unincorporated community in Denton Township, Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a Census-designated place for statistical purposes...
is adjacent to the CDP on the east, at the southeast end of the lake. 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...
passes just west of the communities. A small portion of the CDP area extends into Lake Township
Lake Township, Roscommon County, Michigan
Lake Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,351 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
to the north.
Houghton Lake, originally named "Roscommon Lake," welcomed its first white settlers, the Emery's, in 1873. Augustus Emery, his wife and their 7 children left their home in Chesaning, Michigan making their way, on foot, to an area three miles south of the lake via the well-known Saginaw Trail. It was here that Mr. Emery and his three sons, Augustus, Jr., 21, William, 19, and Harvey, 17 would construct the family home on 160 acres of homesteaded property.
Shortly after the arrival of the Emery's, lumbering became the primary industry in the area. As saw mills sprung up around lumber camps, more settlers arrived. Around 1883, a community at Houghton Lake had been created. Later, towards the end of the 19th century, the building of railroads provided transport for people from Detroit and other towns giving rise to a resort industry the area continues to be known for today. In 1879, after the untimely death of famous physician/explorer/geologist Douglass Houghton, Roscommon Lake was honorably renamed Houghton Lake. In 1927, the "Johnson Dance Hall," presently known as "The Playhouse," was erected and served for many years as the entertainment center for the area. Houghton Lake and the surrounding areas would continue to grow as a lumbering and resort community.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The 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 CDP has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.4 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (21.49%) is water.
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 3,749 people, 1,646 households, and 1,030 families residing in the CDP. 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 633.6 per square mile (244.5/km²). There were 3,057 housing units at an average density of 516.6 per square mile (199.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.95% White, 0.35% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% 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 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.
There were 1,646 households out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% 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, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,443, and the median income for a family was $30,735. Males had a median income of $23,346 versus $16,111 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 CDP was $16,862. About 10.2% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
History
The town was struck by a windstorm on June 11, 1932, which killed four people. During a snowstorm that caused reduced visibility, two married couples died when they drove their respective cars into the frozen lake on new years day, 1957. The Limberlost Hotel, situated on the shore of Houghton Lake, was destroyed by a fire in 1968 causing one injury but no deaths. Two men drowned in a snowmobile accident during a carnival on the frozen lake in 1980.Local recurring events
There are a number of recurring local events. A calendar is available.- Tip up Town
*"Canoe the AuSable River"
External links
Capsules of Time, A Saga of Houghton Lake, Bulah Carman, 1997, Bamkov Printing.
- http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=21871
- http://www.roscommoncounty.net/history.htm -"The History of Roscommon County"