Welcome to Kalkaska County MI please check back
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Nestled in the heart of Northern Michigan, Kalkaska County emerges as a vibrant tapestry of history and natural beauty. This county, with its rich past and stunning landscapes, beckons to those seeking a blend of serenity and cultural richness.
The historical roots of Kalkaska County are as deep as the rivers that traverse its land. Originally named Wabassee County, it was carved out from Michilimackinac County in 1840 and later renamed in 1843. The county has witnessed a fascinating transformation from its early days as a hub for settlers and traders to its present status as a cherished part of Michigan. Its history is a compelling narrative of resilience and growth, making it a captivating subject for historians and visitors alike.
Complementing its historical allure, Kalkaska County is a haven of natural beauty. From the sprawling Pere Marquette State Forest to the over 80 lakes dotting its terrain, the county is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. The unique regional ecosystem, shaped by glaciers, features sandy ridges, jack pine barrens, and lush forests. Rivers like the Manistee and Rapid River add to the picturesque beauty, making the county a perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures and peaceful retreats.
The cultural diversity of Kalkaska County is a testament to its inclusive community spirit. Home to a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds, the county celebrates its diversity through various festivals, arts, and educational initiatives. The National Trout Festival, an annual event since 1936, is not just a celebration of the county’s rich fishing heritage but also a symbol of community harmony. The involvement of local schools and organizations in these festivities reflects the county's commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and learning.
Kalkaska County, with its blend of historical charm and natural splendor, offers an irresistible invitation to explore and engage. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or someone seeking a peaceful community, the county has something for everyone. Its appeal lies not just in its scenic landscapes and rich past but also in the warmth of its people and the promise of memorable experiences.
Key Highlights:
- Year Founded: 1840 (established), 1871 (organized)
- Population: 17,939 (as of 2020)
- Land Area: 571 sq mi (1,480 km²)
- Water Area: 11 sq mi (30 km²)
Kalkaska County, a blend of the past and the present, stands as a beacon of cultural richness and natural beauty, inviting everyone to discover its many wonders.
Year Established
Population
Land (sq ft)
Water (sq ft)
In the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan lies a body of water that captures the heart of nature's artwork and history's whispers. Torch Lake, Michigan's longest inland lake, stretches out like a sparkling turquoise ribbon amidst lush greenery. This lake, with its crystal-clear waters and fascinating history, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Torch Lake's story is as deep as its waters, which reach a maximum depth of 310 feet, making it Michigan's deepest inland lake. Formed at the end of the Last Glacial Period, it shares its origins with the majestic Great Lakes. Originally a bay of the young Lake Michigan, Torch Lake became distinct due to the formation of sandbars at its northern end. This geological marvel is a testament to nature's incredible force and creativity.
The lake's name, derived from the Ojibwe word "waaswaaganing," meaning "Place of Torches," hints at its rich cultural past. The name refers to the indigenous practice of using torches at night to attract fish, a method that echoes the resourcefulness and harmony with nature of the local Native American tribes. Over time, the name evolved from "Torch Light Lake" to its current, simpler form, preserving the essence of its original significance.
Geographically, Torch Lake is part of a unique watershed that includes several interconnected lakes and rivers, creating a vibrant aquatic ecosystem. The lake's surroundings are dotted with quaint towns and settlements, each with its own charm and history. This region is not just a geographical location; it's a tapestry of communities, each contributing to the lake's rich narrative.
Torch Lake's allure doesn't just lie in its history and stunning views. It is a hub for numerous activities, offering something for everyone. Nature enthusiasts can indulge in hiking, canoeing, and fishing, while the lake's clear waters make it a paradise for diving aficionados. The lake is known for its diverse fish population, including trout, bass, and salmon, making it a favorite spot for anglers.
However, it's the lake's unparalleled beauty that truly sets it apart. Its waters, exhibiting a bright turquoise hue reminiscent of Caribbean seas, have attracted visitors and residents alike. The Torch Lake Sandbar, particularly popular during the summer, is a place of gathering and celebration, albeit not without its controversies regarding environmental impact and public health concerns.
Torch Lake is more than just a body of water; it's a destination where history, nature, and community converge. It represents a slice of Michigan's natural grandeur and a narrative that weaves together geological wonders, cultural richness, and recreational bliss. This lake is not just a place to visit; it's an experience to be cherished, a journey through time and beauty.
As one stands by its shimmering shores, it's easy to understand why Torch Lake has become a beloved part of Michigan's landscape. It's a place where the past and present merge, where the tranquility of nature meets the echoes of history, creating a symphony that resonates with all who visit. Torch Lake, with its deep waters and deeper stories, is truly Michigan's hidden gem, waiting to be discovered and admired by all.
87th District Court Probation ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9035
Blue Lake Township Fire Dept ● 7534 Blue Lake Rd NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 587-8354
Blue Lake Township Hall ● 10599 Twin Lake Rd NE ● Mancelona ● (231) 587-8354
Boardman Township Supervisor ● 4855 Pine St SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 369-2856
Boardman Township Treasurer ● 6421 N Shippy Rd SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 369-3542
Boardman Township Zoning Admin ● 6755 Butler Rd SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 369-2551
Cerf Fire Barn ● 6565 County Road 612 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2107
Child Support Coordinator ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3326
Clearwater Township Fire Dept ● 8255 Aarwood Trl NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 322-2137
Clearwater Township Office ● 5440 River St NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-6249
Coldsprings Excelsior ● 6615 County Road 612 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9912
Coldsprings Township Hall ● 6515 County Road 571 NE ● Mancelona ● (231) 587-8633
District Health Dept 10 ● 625 Courthouse Dr ● Kalkaska ● Not Available
Excelsior Township Hall ● 987 County Road 571 ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-6108
Fireteam 7 Auxiliary ● PO Box 855 ● Kalkaska ● Not Available
Friend Of Court ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9744
Garfield Township Fire Dept ● 358 W Sharon Rd ● Fife Lake ● (231) 369-2807
Garfield Township Hall ● 466 W Sharon Rd SE ● Fife Lake ● (231) 369-2483
Grand Traverse County Cmnty ● Villiage Office Bldg ● Fife Lake ● (231) 879-5302
Juvenile Court-Probation ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3330
Kaliseum Recreation Complex ● 1900 Fairgrounds Rd ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5913
Kalkaska Board-Commissioners ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3336
Kalkaska Cnty Drain Commission ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-0045
Kalkaska Commission On Aging ● 303 S Coral St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5030
Kalkaska County ● 247 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9411
Kalkaska County 911 ● 890 Island Lake Rd SW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3367
Kalkaska County Accounting ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3336
Kalkaska County Animal Control ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3309
Kalkaska County Central Dsptch ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3300
Kalkaska County Central DSPTCH ● 890 Island Lake Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3350
Kalkaska County Circuit Court ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3300
Kalkaska County Constr Code ● 890 Island Lake Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3365
Kalkaska County District Court ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9031
Kalkaska County Equalization ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3340
Kalkaska County Family Court ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3314
Kalkaska County Human Svc ● 503 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-1200
Kalkaska County Planning Znng ● 890 Island Lake Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3367
Kalkaska County Probate Court ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3330
Kalkaska County Recycling Ctr ● 904 Island Lake Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3369
Kalkaska County Sheriff ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8686
Kalkaska County Soil Erosion ● 890 Island Lake Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3367
Kalkaska County Treasurer ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3310
Kalkaska Fire Dept ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8686
Kalkaska Memorial Health Ctr ● 419 S Coral St # A ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-7500
Kalkaska Prosecuting Attorney ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3325
Kalkaska Public Transit Auth ● 1251 Island Lake Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-6808
Kalkaska Register Of Deeds ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3315
Kalkaska Sewer Dept ● 200 Hyde St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9191
Kalkaska Sheriffs Dept ● 605 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3355
Kalkaska Township Fire Dept ● 209 Laurel St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9305
Kalkaska Village Dept-Pubc ● 200 Hyde St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9081
Kalkaska Village Office ● 200 Hyde St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9191
Kalkaska Village Public Works ● 200 Hyde St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9191
Natural Resources Dept ● 2089 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2711
Oliver Township ● 4026 Cool Rd SE ● Kalkaska ● Not Available
Orange Township Clerk ● 3715 Saunders Rd SE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 369-3457
Orange Township Clerk ● 6565 Ryckman Rd SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 369-3457
Rapid River Township Hall ● 1010 Phelps Rd NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2943
Springfield Twp Hall ● 5253 Ingersoll Rd SW ● Fife Lake ● (231) 879-4541
Township Hall ● 209 Laurel St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9305
United States Postal Svc ● 113 Oak St ● Fife Lake ● (231) 879-3571
United States Postal Svc ● 105 W 3rd St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9361
United States Postal Svc ● 8310 Rapid City Rd NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-6012
United States Postal Svc ● 5408 Boardman Rd SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 369-2809
Air Control Htg & Cooling LLC ● 311 N Coral St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3437
Budget Blinds ● 7812 Hoiles Dr NW ● Williamsburg ● (231) 267-9100
Carefree Cove ● 7417 County Road 612 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5282
Carter Lumber ● 3750 US Highway 131 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8805
Cone Corral ● 8145 Rapid City Rd NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-6792
Dollar General ● 10881 M-72 SE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 564-5515
Dollar General ● 112 Northland Plaza Rd ● Kalkaska ● (231) 564-5525
Dollar General ● 2044 Twin Lake Rd NE ● Mancelona ● (231) 564-5552
Dollar General ● 8055 Rapid City Rd NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-3429
Dollar General ● 5350 US Highway 131 SW ● South Boardman ● (810) 295-1116
Family Dollar Dollar Tree ● 766 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 518-7023
Heather Anne's ● 7431 M 72 W ● Williamsburg ● (231) 944-5861
Kalkaska Plumbing & Heating ● 315 Maple Dr ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-3588
Northland Plaza ● 2101 US Highway 131 N ● Kalkaska ● Not Available
Rapid City Market Place ● 8174 Rapid City Rd NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-6416
Raymond Heating ● 304 Elm St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4420
Rite Aid ● 902 N Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2081
Traverse City Eye ● 419 S Coral St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 735-8830
US 131 Smoke Shop ● 5830 US Highway 131 N ● Kalkaska ● Not Available
Woodland Creek Furniture ● 546 M 72 E ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2146
Arby's ● 906 N Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-0611
BC Pizza ● 104 N Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8100
Big Boy ● 660 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8651
Billy Bob's Boneyard ● ● Kalkaska ● (231) 499-7531
Burger King ● 812 N Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8000
Carefree Cove ● 7417 County Road 612 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5282
Cherry Street Market ● 301 W Mile Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4946
Cone Corral ● 8145 Rapid City Rd NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-6792
Crossroads Salooon & Bar ● 4621 Rapid City Rd NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 258-9021
G's Pizzeria & Deli ● 502 N Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5556
Indo-China Garden ● 537 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-6000
Kal-Ho Lounge ● 340 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-8221
Ke Huskys ● 4515 Woodman Rd SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 564-2204
Little Caesars ● 104 Northland Plaza Rd # A ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4404
Lunch Box ● 1376 Laura Ln NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 533-6678
Mc Donald's ● 640 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5022
Mc Donald's ● 8497 US Highway 131 NE ● Mancelona ● (231) 587-5020
Mc Donald's Corporate Office ● 2246 Tamara Rd NW ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4022
Mcchesney's Burger Bar ● 5558 Harrison St NW ● Rapid City ● Not Available
Nico's Pizza & Grinders ● 606 N Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4045
Shirley's In The Woods Cafe ● 10945 M 72 E ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-7955
Subway ● 106 Northland Plaza Rd ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2000
Sweet Shannon's ● 344 S Cedar St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 564-3954
Trout Town Tavern & Eatery ● 306 Elm St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-2701
Twin Birch Golf Course ● 1030 County Road 612 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9691
Twin Birch Restaurant ● 1030 County Road 612 NE ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5363
Yankee Boy Trading Post ● 5026 US Highway 131 SW ● South Boardman ● (231) 369-2821
Cherry St Elementary School ● 315 S Coral St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9146
Cherry Street Intermediate ● 314 S Cherry St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-9146
Forest Area Community Sch Dist ● 7741 Shippy Rd SW ● Fife Lake ● (231) 369-2841
Forest Area High School ● 7661 Shippy Rd SW ● Fife Lake ● (231) 369-2884
Forest Area Middle School ● 7661 Shippy Rd SW ● Fife Lake ● (231) 369-2867
Kalkaska High School ● 109 N Birch St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4630
Kalkaska Middle School ● 1700 W Kalkaska Rd ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-4040
Northside Alternative High Sch ● 405 E Dresden St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 258-5140
Rapid City Elementary ● 315 S Coral St ● Kalkaska ● (231) 331-6121
Rapid City Elementary School ● 5258 River St NW ● Rapid City ● (231) 331-6121