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Between 1880 and 1884, the population of Roscommon County increased rapidly due to the lumbering boom. Between 1884 and 1894, as the pine forests were being exhausted, there was a corresponding decrease in population. The first resort development took place along the northeastern shore of Higgins Lake in 1884. With the advent of improved roads and motorized transportation, the area surrounding the various lakes has grown into what is currently a popular resort and vacation area. Roscommon County is primarily a rural area. Approximately 86% of the county is forest, water and wetland. The Houghton Lake Forest accounts for one-half of the land area. Tourism is a major economic activity located in the northern recreation portion of east central Michigan. St. Helen, Higgins, and Houghton Lakes, along with the AuSable and Muskegon Rivers, provide water-based recreation and tourism opportunities. Federal, state, and local government are the largest employers in the county. Retail trade, services, tourism, manufacturing, and petroleum production dominate the private sector.
Principal Attractions and Events
Tip-Up Town Festival, Houghton Lake (January); guided color tour, Houghton Lake (early October); Arts & Crafts Fair, Houghton Lake (mid-July); Bluegill Festival, Lake St. Helen (July); Michigan Fireman's Association Memorial, Roscommon (mid-September); Historical Round-Up; windsurfing on Higgins Lake; Roscommon County Fair (early August); AuSable Forest; North Higgins Lake State Park; Backus Creek State Game Area; ORV trail network; South Higgins Lake State Park; Tisdale Triangle X-country ski trails (11 groomed trails); Kirtland Community College (with athletic and cultural facilities); many lakes including Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and Lake St. Helen; Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area; AuSable State Park; Bear Creek Waterfowl Flooding; Tittabawassee, the Cut, Muskegon and AuSable Rivers; 5 public golf courses; 7 additional cross-country trails; boating resources (204 public access sites)
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Cities
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