Welcome to Missaukee County, Michigan

Missaukee County and the Villages; Lake City, McBain Lucus, and Falmouth were originally settled in the late 1800’s by Dutch Immigrants during Michigan’s lumbering boom. The area’s economy thrived as lumbering of the white pine forests continued until the late 1800’s when a large fire decimated some of Michigan’s oldest timber resources.

The Muskegon River winds through the Missaukee country side, on it’s way to Lake Michigan. Missaukee County derived it’s name from a prominent Indian Chief, Nesaukee, which means: "Large Mouth of the River."

Today, this rural area’s economy is supported by dairy and crop farming. Crops consist of soy, corn, wheat, and Christmas Trees. A majority of the state’s Christmas Tree harvest comes from plantations in Missaukee County.

Tourism is also makes up a portion of the county’s economic base as visitors come to enjoy the excellent fishing on the Muskegon River and swimming and boating on Lake Missaukee.

As a youngster my family often stayed in the area during the summer vacation season. My mother grew up on a farm between Lake City and McBain and we would stay at the farm or rent a cottage on the lake. At age eleven I practiced for a Merit Badge, swimming a mile along the Lake Missaukee shoreline from the cottage to the Lake City public beach.