[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5836]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING ARENAC COUNTY, MICHIGAN ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Arenac County, 
Michigan on its 125th anniversary. On Friday, April 11th, I will be in 
Omer, Michigan to join local leaders and residents of the county at 
Arenac County's quasquicentennial kickoff celebration.
  Located at the bottom of Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron, the area we now 
know as Arenac County was recognized more than 500 years ago as an 
ideal place for settlement by Native Americans. The Rifle and AuGres 
Rivers made excellent fishing and canoeing routes for the Ottawa 
Indians and eventually early European settlers. It is these rivers and 
other abundant natural resources that have sustained the area these 
many years.
  Arenac County is rich in Native American history because of its 
abundance of hard chert and flint for arrowheads. Later, it was also an 
ideal location for European settlers. Most early settlers came from 
Canada, starting with the Scottish and English, and later people of 
French descent. Later came Germans, followed by Polish, Slavic and 
Balkan natives.
  The county traces much of its 125-year history to its logging roots. 
Michigan's logging industry developed around Michigan's white pine and 
hardwoods and the county was at the heart of it. In addition to 
abundant forest lands, Arenac County was ideally situated as a conduit 
to the lake for shipping lumber. The county also was the location of a 
19th century summer resort hotel, to which guests arrived by ship. Its 
history was gradually reshaped due to the disastrous wildfires that 
eventually destroyed the logging business in the area.
  Once part of Bay and Saginaw counties, Arenac County was founded in 
1883, during Michigan's post-Civil War lumber boom. In addition to 
lumbering, other early industries included shingle mills, farming, 
commercial fishing and brick and tile manufacturing. Michigan's first 
coal mine shaft was dug in Arenac County, and although it was never 
productive because of an inability to remove excess water, the shaft 
remains there today.
  The Rifle and AuGres Rivers continue to be favorite canoeing spots 
and provide ample opportunity for local fishermen. Arenac County's 
forests are favorite spots for hunting deer and small game. These 
areas, along with about 50 miles of Lake Huron shoreline, fuel the 
area's recreation and tourism economy.
  As the residents of Arenac County celebrate their 125-year history, I 
am honored to join them in commemorating this milestone. Madam Speaker, 
I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives please join 
me in honoring Arenac County, Michigan on its 125th anniversary.

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