MISSAUKEE COUNTY
County Offices
111 South Canal
Lake City 231-839-4967
www.missaukee.org
Chamber of Commerce
220 South Main Street
Lake City 231-839-4969
www.lakecitymich.com
Located in the north-central portion of the lower peninsula, Missaukee County is situated between the Manistee River to the northwest and the Muskegon to the east. A favored vacation and recreational destination, this area has an economy that is largely driven by tourism, forestry, dairy farming, and Christmas tree nurseries. Picturesque landscapes, open space, and friendly small communities are all hallmarks of rural Missaukee County.
Services
Just 20 miles from home, Mercy Hospital Cadillac provides a convenient and quality choice for a major medical center. This 97-bed acute-care hospital serves a four-county area with state-of-the-art services and facilities. More than 500 employees and 80 dedicated physicians who represent every major specialty and many sub-specialties ensure excellence in patient care within a technologically advanced setting. Highlights include the Cadillac Cancer Care Center, advanced laboratory and imaging, occupational health, the Osteoporosis Treatment and Prevention Center, and Great Lakes Family Care centers—one of which is located in Mcbain in Missaukee County. Another nearby hospital is the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center in Kalkaska. Part of the Munson Healthcare system, Kalkaska Offers quality local care for primary and urgent needs but also access to some of the most respected medical specialists in the nation. Laboratory, cardiology, rehabilitation, and radiology services are all networked with Munson Medical Center to ensure prompt and convenient diagnosis and treatment. More than 5,000 healthcare professionals work within this vast system for unparalleled access to first-rate care.
Public schools in Missaukee County provide a quality education for local youth, with expanded options for a private education available just minutes from home in the Cadillac area. The small town of Mcbain also offers a Christian private school. Technical and vocational training is available at the Wexford-Missaukee Area Career Technical Center, where students learn in practical situations that mirror on-the-job challenges. Opportunities for a higher education can be found within a reasonable commuting distance in three different cities. Baker College of Cadillac is a private, co-ed institution known for small class sizes that encourage a strong working relationship between the instructor and student. In fact, one day a week is devoted to individual instructor assistance. Less than 40 miles away, Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City focuses on two-year associate degrees and certifications but also hosts a University Center where nearly a dozen Michigan colleges and universities offer a wide range of bachelor’s and advanced degree programs to regional students. Many students complete their first two years at NMC and remain on campus to complete their college education. More than 50 programs are now available at the University Center, meeting a wide range of higher education needs for students of all ages.
Lifestyle
The pace of life is relaxed and the recreational amenities are among the finest in Missaukee County, a natural paradise surrounded by shimmering lakes and streams, deep woodlands, lush parks, scenic campgrounds, and an abundance of wildlife. More than 4,800 acres of inland lakes and miles of excellent fishing streams attract many anglers. Most residents have a lake or stream suitable for fishing, swimming, or boating with 10 miles of home. Hunters will find more than 100,000 acres of undeveloped public land brimming over with grouse, turkeys, ducks, and white-tail deer. The adventurous who enjoy off-roading, hiking, camping, and biking will find a backdrop of natural beauty for any outdoor activity. When the snow flies and the temperatures drop, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling are popular pastimes. Six major ski resorts are located within an hour’s drive, although many prefer the convenience and affordability of Missaukee Mountain just north of Lake City. Golfers will find several courses from which to choose within a 30-minute drive from any address in the county. Locally, residents perfect their backswing at the beautiful Missaukee Golf Course & Country Green Golf Center south of Lake City. Tennis courts and other sports fields and courts are available in both Lake City and Mcbain.
While Missaukee County preserves the warm and welcoming spirit of a small-town lifestyle, residents are never far from cultural enrichment and expanded urban amenities. Just an hour from home is the famous Interlochen National Music Camp, presenting some of the world’s most celebrated musical artists in weekly summer concerts. Also within an hour’s drive, three playhouses host audience-pleasing productions from humor to drama, featuring talented resident groups that are frequently joined by Hollywood and Broadway actors. Springtime is especially glorious in Missaukee County, where gathering mushrooms and berries is part of the four-season fun in the “Christmas Tree Capital of the Nation.” Annual events bring friends, neighbors, and visitors together to celebrate such colorful festivals as the “Greatest Fourth in the North” or the “Festival of the Pines.” From family-oriented Midwestern values and hometown friendliness to affordable housing and world-class recreation, Missaukee County is a wonderful place to call home.
Lake City
City Offices
231-839-4561
Chamber of Commerce
231-839-4969
www.lakecitymich.com
Named after the beautiful Lake Missaukee, Lake City serves as the county seat and hub community for Missaukee County. Many tourists from boaters to seasonal residents come to Lake City during the summer months to enjoy lakefront recreation, cooler temperatures, and the area’s natural beauty. Just northwest of town, residents and visitors alike enjoy the spacious and amenity-rich county park on the eastern side of Lake Missaukee. The 2000-acre lake is remarkable in its own right, reflecting ever-changing hues and shining like a jewel. Missaukee County Park features more than 1400 feet of white sand beach with excellent swimming and nearly 120 campsites with a range of utilities and amenities. A bath house, a playground, picnic areas, ballfields, and game areas make this park a community gathering place. The 33-acres park offers a lagoon with a boat ramp and nearly 70 slip rentals for docking boats.
Lake Township
Town Hall
231-839-7655
http://laketownshipmissaukee.com
Chamber of Commerce
231-839-4969
www.lakecitymich.com
Rural Lake Township maintains its Town Hall at the corner of Dickerson and Kelly roads. The original hall was built in 1884 in the village of Jennings, and the second story of that building was moved to the present site in 1924. Jennings boomed during the lumber days but the village all but vanished when it ended. Some homes were even moved from Jennings to nearby Cadillac. Proud of its history and progressive in its attitude toward quality growth, Lake Township is home to a growing population. Tourism is the primarily township industry, although many township residents commute to nearby Cadillac. The township is home to four spectacular bodies of water: Missaukee, Sapphire, Crooked, and Round lakes. Round Lake is privately owned but the others are all very popular seasonal recreational lakes. The Clam River also runs through the township for premier trout fishing. A township park is available along the Clam riverfront along M-55, ideal for fishing and picnicking. Crooked Lake County Park is also in the township and offers camping, picnicking, fishing, and boating.
McBain
City Offices
231-825-2322
www.mcbainmichigan.org
Chamber of Commerce
231-839-4969
www.lakecitymich.com
The small city of Mcbain provides some unique services for it size, including a private Christian school and one of the Great Lakes Family Care centers for convenient access to medical care. Mcbain is an old-fashioned and traditional agricultural community where many residents are descendents of the original Dutch settlers who arrived in the late 1800s. Recent years have seen some influx of commuting newcomers to the social mix, but Mcbain is definitely a well-rooted community. The close friendships and working relationships that have come from this close-knit spirit have done a great deal to make the community a successful one. The countryside is picturesque and the soil is ideal for gardening; some say that anything will grow in Mcbain. Homes and yards are well-maintained and show pride of ownership. Over the years, a number of shops and services have sprung up, from restaurants to a pharmacy.
