St. Helen, Michigan
Encyclopedia
St. Helen is an unincorporated community in Richfield Township
, Roscommon County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. It is a census-designated place
(CDP) for statistical purposes and has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The population was 2,993 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code
is 48656.
established a large lumber operation at St. Helen, considered at the time to be among the largest and best equipped in the state. The mills were estimated to have produced more than 1 billion board feet (2,000,000 m³) of lumber within a period of fourteen years. Most of the logs were moved by river, but lumber was also moved by rail.
The St. Helen Development Company was organized to sell land and promote development of the area, and over seven years sold 80000 acres (323.7 km²) of land and helped to build more than 30 miles (48.3 km) of roads and over 80 miles (128.7 km) of fencing.
St. Helen was named after the lake. It is believed that French voyageurs
named it after Saint Helena of Constantinople
, mother of Emperor Constantine.
The Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad (later the Michigan Central, then the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
and presently the Lake State Railway Company) built a line through the area with a station at St. Helen. The now decommissioned M-76
passed through St. Helen and portions are still signed as "Old 76". St. Helen has survived based on tourism and proximity to the lake.
of 2000, there were 2,993 people, 1,380 households, and 873 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 593.6 per square mile (229.3/km²). There were 2,617 housing units at an average density of 519.1 per square mile (200.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.46% White
, 0.07% African American
, 0.63% Native American
, 0.10% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.
There were 1,380 households out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,104, and the median income for a family was $30,268. Males had a median income of $30,521 versus $20,461 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,198. About 12.8% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.6% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
Richfield Township, Roscommon County, Michigan
Richfield Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 4,139.- Geography :...
, 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"....
. It is 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 and has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The population was 2,993 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 48656.
History
In the 1870s, lumber baron Henry StephensHenry Stephens (lumberman)
Henry Stephens was born in Dublin, Ireland. He made a fortune as a lumberman, merchant and financier. He lived in Lapeer County, Michigan and was one of Almont, Michigan's earliest settlers, where he established the first mercantile business. North of Lapeer, Michigan, he built a sawmill in 1845...
established a large lumber operation at St. Helen, considered at the time to be among the largest and best equipped in the state. The mills were estimated to have produced more than 1 billion board feet (2,000,000 m³) of lumber within a period of fourteen years. Most of the logs were moved by river, but lumber was also moved by rail.
The St. Helen Development Company was organized to sell land and promote development of the area, and over seven years sold 80000 acres (323.7 km²) of land and helped to build more than 30 miles (48.3 km) of roads and over 80 miles (128.7 km) of fencing.
St. Helen was named after the lake. It is believed that French voyageurs
Voyageurs
The Voyageurs were the persons who engaged in the transportation of furs by canoe during the fur trade era. Voyageur is a French word which literally translates to "traveler"...
named it after Saint Helena of Constantinople
Helena of Constantinople
Saint Helena also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I...
, mother of Emperor Constantine.
The Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad (later the Michigan Central, then the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
Detroit and Mackinac Railway
The Detroit and Mackinac Railway , informally known as the "Turtle Line", was a railroad operating in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The main line stretched from the southern hub at Bay City, to its northern hub at Cheboygan...
and presently the Lake State Railway Company) built a line through the area with a station at St. Helen. The now decommissioned M-76
M-76 (Michigan highway)
M-76 is a former state trunkline highway designation in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. The highway's designation was decommissioned when the last section of it was converted to freeway as a part of the present-day Interstate 75 . At that time, M-76 extended from US Highway 23 ...
passed through St. Helen and portions are still signed as "Old 76". St. Helen has survived based on tourism and proximity to the lake.
Geography
- The area of the CDP covers an area on the southeast side of Lake St. HelenLake St. HelenLake St. Helen is a public lake located in Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and borders on the community of St. Helen, Michigan...
, which is the headwaters for the south branch of 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...
. There is a large boat ramp and park located just east of town to provide easy lake access. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are popular on the river. - 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 CDP has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), of which, 5 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (14.86%) is water. - St. Helen is considered to be part of Northern MichiganNorthern MichiganNorthern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...
- Over 90% percent of the township is located in the Houghton Lake State Forest. There are many RV, snow mobile and two-tracks trails.
- St. Helen is near part of the Au Sable State ForestAu Sable State ForestThe Au Sable State Forest is a state forest in the north-central Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources....
including- Roscommon FMU (Ogemaw and Roscommon counties).
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 2,993 people, 1,380 households, and 873 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 593.6 per square mile (229.3/km²). There were 2,617 housing units at an average density of 519.1 per square mile (200.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.46% White
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...
, 0.07% African American
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...
, 0.63% Native American
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...
, 0.10% Asian
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...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.07% 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 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.
There were 1,380 households out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% 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, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,104, and the median income for a family was $30,268. Males had a median income of $30,521 versus $20,461 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 $17,198. About 12.8% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.6% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
Local events
There are a number of recurrent local events:- Bluegill Festival each summer.
- Kirtland Warbler Habitat and Festival is to the north, a must for avid bird-watchers.
Famous resident
- Charlton HestonCharlton HestonCharlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
spent part of his childhood in St. Helen. The 1930 Census for Richfield, Michigan confirms it.
Further reading
- Diss, Peggy. The Heritage of Richfield Township, St. Helen. Roscommon, MI: Graphic Arts Press, 1976.
- The FISH Newspaper - Official Newspaper Covering the Community and Events of St. Helen, MI
External links
- Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Roscommon County
- A history of northern Michigan and its people Powers, Perry Francis. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1912. pp. 554–555
- History of Michigan. Moore, Charles. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1915. p. 709
- Higgins Lake/Roscommon Chamber of Commerce
- Houghton Lake/Roscommon Chamber of Commerce