BlockFrom the record
1 National Register listing published here.
Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service
Missaukee County, Michigan
38 topographic sheets cover 21 settlements here, and 1 property is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Research this county
What the record shows
- 250 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
- 1 property here is on the National Register of Historic Places, listed as a structure.
- The Geographic Names Information System records 21 populated places in this county; 21 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.
Places on the National Register
1Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.
| Photograph | Property | Type | Listed | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Canyon Falls Bridge | structure | 1999 | 99001464 |
Wildfire, 1992 to 2020
213 firesEvery wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 213 of them, burning about 746 acres. 9 started naturally and 18 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 78 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 53 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 22 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 18 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 10 |
| Natural | 9 |
| Smoking | 7 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 6 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 6 |
| Other causes | 2 |
| Fireworks | 2 |
The five largest, by the area the report gives. Two of them were set deliberately.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 April 2010 | Arson/incendiarism | 65 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | MISSAUKEE 04 |
| 9 April 1994 | Misuse of fire by a minor | 50 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 9 May 2005 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 46 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 14 April 2003 | Equipment and vehicle use | 43 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 14 April 2003 | Arson/incendiarism | 28 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 11 August 2001 | Debris and open burning | 23 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 29 April 2007 | Debris and open burning | 20 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 27 April 2001 | Smoking | 18 acres | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | not named |
Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.
Storms, 1955 to 2026
60 of 89 shownThe NOAA Storm Events Database holds 89 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 2 injuries and about $993,750 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind | 39 |
| Hail | 37 |
| Tornado | 7 |
| Lightning | 3 |
| Flash Flood | 3 |
The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2003 | Lightning | Arlene | 2 hurt | Two men were walking along a puddled trail in Bloomfield Township when lightning struck in the immediate vicinity. The two were knocked to the ground, and were treated at the scene by an EMS crew for cuts and scrapes. |
| September 1964 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Flash Flood | Lucas | $150,000 | Three to six inches of rain fell in southwest and central Missaukee County, in the very early morning hours of the 13th. This resulted in flash flooding, with several roads washing out. |
| August 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $140,000 | Power poles were snapped and many trees were downed, laying across roads near Lake Missaukee. Windows were damaged on some nearby businesses. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Pioneer | $110,000 | Many large trees were downed in northern Missaukee County. Several structures and trailers were damaged by falling trees, especially in and just west of Moorestown. |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lucas | $75,000 | Two semi-trailers were overturned, the top of a barn silo was ripped off and blown half a mile away, a few roofs were damaged, and several trees and power lines were downed. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Prosper | $55,000 | Multiple reports of tree damage and downed powerlines in a swath approximately a mile and a half wide near Dyer Lake east of Falmouth. Trees snapped and uprooted by suspected downburst gusts. Accompanied by torrential rain and up to dime sized hail. |
| August 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mc Bain | $30,000 | A barn was heavily damaged by two falling concrete silos. |
| April 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake Missaukee | $25,000 | A large swath of trees was downed from the south side of Lake Missaukee near Goldenrod Road, east-northeast toward the intersection of South Morey Road and M-55/M-66. Large pine trees were uprooted, or snapped off at mid-trunk. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $22,000 | Numerous trees were downed. One tree was toppled onto a mobile home. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Prosper | $15,000 | Uprooted spruce tree and minor structure damage, including damage to fiberglass shop roof, children's playground set, and an old wood frame barn blown down. Accompanied by torrential rain and strong winds. Dairy farmer located 30 feet inside an open sided cow barn at time of storm reported having to turn on windshield wipers to see through rain coming into building. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $14,000 | Several trees were downed in Lake City, and two buildings downtown sustained roof damage. |
| August 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $12,000 | Numerous trees were downed. |
| October 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mc Bain | $12,000 | Trees downed. Roofing removed from farm silo. Damage to pole barn door and garage door. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Star City | $10,000 | Photo of tree down over powerlines and roadway, reports of additional trees and lines down in the area near Merritt Speedway. Suspected downburst winds. |
| July 2012 | Flash Flood | Lake City | $10,000 | Flooding occurred near the M-66 corridor in western Missaukee County. Rain fall amounts of 2 to 3 inches in just two hours were common in these areas. Roads were closed near Dickerson and Stoney Corners west of McBain, and at M-66 and Kalkaska Street in Lake City. |
| June 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Falmouth | $10,000 | Several large trees were downed, and some buildings sustained roof and shingle damage. |
| November 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mc Bain | $8,000 | A barn suffered damage to its roof and an exterior door. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Moddersville | $5,000 | Several trees down with power outages near Moddersville. Time estimated via radar. |
| August 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $5,000 | Central dispatch reports trees and powerlines down in Lake City. Time estimated via radar. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $5,000 | Numerous trees downed. |
| June 1994 | Tornado (F0) | Manton | $5,000 | A small tornado touched down, for less than 30 seconds, along LaChance Road in extreme eastern Missaukee County. This was about two miles from the Wexford County line. A farm house received structural damage to one corner of the roof. A full livestock feeder was lifted and moved about 100 yards. Although a funnel was not observed on the ground, a funnel cloud was seen by a neighbor over the farm at the precise time that the damage occurred. Pea-size hail and brief heavy showers occurred prior to the tornado. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Merritt | $5,000 | Windows were blown out and roof damage occurred to a home near Merritt. |
| July 1994 | Tornado (F0) | Merritt | $5,000 | A tornado touched down at the intersection of M-55 and Merritt Road in the town of Merritt. Two pick-up trucks, in a parking lot at the intersection, were severely sandblasted on all sides by gravel that was picked up by the tornado. One truck had the rear window sucked out and thrown across the parking lot. Total time on the ground was about two minutes and no other damage was noted. Numerous other funnel clouds were sighted across the southern portion of the county on this afternoon and evening. |
| August 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $5,000 | Strong thunderstorm winds blew down several trees and damage farm property. While the damage path width was narrow, less than half a mile wide, it extended over the central part of Missaukee county for about 10 miles. The damage began just south of Lake City, then extended northeast to 9 miles east of Lake City. One farmer reported two hay wagons turned over, part of his corn and sunflower crop crushed, and some aluminum barn siding was lifted and blown against his home. This broke the kitchen window on his home. Another farm had two sheds blown over. That farmer had his clothesline posts snapped off at the ground. Witnesses said it was not a tornado, just very strong winds. |
| July 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Missaukee Park | $4,000 | Several trees and large limbs were downed. |
| June 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $3,000 | Trees downed. |
| August 1955 | Tornado (F0) | not stated | $2,500 | no account filed |
| July 2005 | Lightning | Lake City | $1,000 | Lightning struck a utility pole outside of a residence, blasting a crossbeam to the ground. Part of the surge entered the home, destroying a television. |
| July 1983 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $250 | no account filed |
| March 2026 | Hail | Lake City | - | Penny size hail near Lake City in Missaukee county. |
| March 2026 | Hail | Lucas | - | Hail up to the size of nickels near McBain in southwestern Missaukee county. |
| March 2026 | Hail | Lake City | - | Quarter sized hail fell again in the Lake City area. |
| May 2022 | Hail | Moorestown | - | Hail of at least 1 inch reported by spotter. |
| August 2022 | Hail | Lucas | - | Dime and quarter size hail east of Cadillac in Missaukee county. Time estimated via radar. |
| February 2017 | Hail | Mc Bain | - | Snow plows were utilized to clear hail-covered roads. |
| May 2011 | Hail | Pioneer | - | Mostly pea sized hail, though a few stones as large as nickels. |
| May 2004 | Flash Flood | Falmouth | - | The intersections of Falmouth and Thirteen Mile Roads, and Prosper and Eight Mile Roads, were inundated. |
| April 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Moddersville | - | Several trees down. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | - | Strong straight-line thunderstorm winds up to 90 mph damaged 3 homes and destroyed several barns and sheds. |
| May 1998 | Tornado (F0) | Lake City | - | A tornado on the ground for around 500 yards snapped off numerous trees about 5 feet above the ground. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Jennings | - | Strong thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and tore 8 - 9" diameter branches off of others. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | - | Strong thunderstorm winds downed several trees along Rhoby Road and Edwards Road. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mc Bain | - | Strong straight-line thunderstorm winds toppled two silos. |
| April 1995 | Hail | not stated | - | The hail was reported in the southeast corner of the county. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | - | A few trees and large limbs were blown down along M42 northwest of Lake City. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Merritt | - | Power lines were downed by the wind. |
| July 1994 | Hail | Vogel Center | - | Major crop damage occurred on a 5,000 acre area south and west of Vogel Center along the southern edge of the county. Hail size ranged from 1.25 to 1.75 inches. The entire episode was over in about seven minutes. Department of Agriculture specialists estimated the total damage at $200,000. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | - | A huge tree was uprooted by the wind causing some power outages to the area. |
| August 1993 | Hail | Stittsville | - | Penny-size hail lasted for about 3 minutes. |
| August 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Modersville | - | Strong thunderstorm winds blew down many trees 2 miles south southwest of Modersville. |
| August 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | - | Large tree limbs were downed by thunderstorm wind. |
| August 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Merritt | - | Large trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds. |
| September 2022 | Hail | Mc Bain | - | no account filed |
| May 2018 | Hail | Missaukee Park | - | no account filed |
| February 2017 | Hail | Lucas | - | no account filed |
| February 2017 | Hail | Mc Bain | - | no account filed |
| July 2016 | Hail | Lake City | - | no account filed |
| October 2015 | Hail | Morey | - | no account filed |
| August 2015 | Hail | Moorestown | - | no account filed |
Mines and quarries
7 recordedThe Survey's mineral resources record lists 7 workings inside this county. 5 still produce and 2 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Sand and Gravel, Construction | 5 |
| Fire Clay (Refractory) | 2 |
The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotter Clay Pit | Fire Clay (Refractory) | Past Producer | ||
| Minthorn's Clay Pit | Fire Clay (Refractory) | Past Producer | ||
| Gilde & Helsel Pit & Mill | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Max Wiggins and Sons Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Myers Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| State of Michigan Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| State of Michigan Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Every populated place in the county
21Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.
Provenance
- Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
- Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
- Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
- Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
- Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
- Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.