Algonac

History

Long occupied by Native American tribes, Algonac was settled in 1805 by European American John Martin, in the newly-organized Michigan Territory. The area had been known by French colonists, the first Europeans to settle here, as Pointe Du Chêne ("oak point", because of local trees). The later British colonists called it Manchester. In 1836, it was the fourth village laid out by Americans along the St. Clair River. Its present name was coined by Henry Schoolcraft and applied to the area in 1843. It served as the center of a farming area. The economy was also based in lumbering, shipping, and trades associated with maritime activities on the Great Lakes. The village of Algonac was within Clay Township, although the two municipalities are administered autonomously since Algonac incorporated as a city in 1967. Algonac was the birthplace of Emily Helen Butterfield, an artist and the first woman to be licensed as an architect in Michigan. She was famous for innovations in church architecture. It was the home of Chris-Craft boat company, the maker of the first mass-produced speedboats. It was also the home of Gar Wood, the first great speed boat racer. Algonac is home to two museums dedicated to its history. The Algonac Clay Community Museum contains many displays of Algonac's local history. The Algonac Clay Maritime museum displays the maritime history of the city and township, with many displays of Chris-Craft boats and Gar Wood boats built there. Both museums are open every weekend from May through October. Algonac is known as the birthplace of modern power boating. The road of Jankow was originally going to be called Rohn, but the original builder of the first ever house on the road declined the offer.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Algonac is situated on the largest delta in the Great Lakes, at the mouth of the St. Clair River. As the city has many canals, it has been nicknamed "the Venice of Michigan". The city is located in the Blue Water Area, a sub-region of the Thumb. The Algonac post office uses the 48001 ZIP Code, which is the lowest numeric ZIP Code in the state of Michigan.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Algonac JuniorSenior High School
  High · CLAY · 671 students · 23.1:1 ratio
• Marine City High School
  High · MARINE CITY · 523 students · 19.4:1 ratio
• Algonquin Elementary School
  Elementary · Clay · 466 students · 16.6:1 ratio
• Belle River Elementary School
  Elementary · MARINE CITY · 376 students · 17.9:1 ratio
• Marine City Middle School
  Middle · MARINE CITY · 292 students · 17.2:1 ratio
• Palms Elementary School
  Elementary · IRA · 237 students · 16.9:1 ratio
• Millside Elementary School
  Elementary · CLAY · 194 students · 16.2:1 ratio
• East China Virtual Academy
  Other · EAST CHINA · 45 students · 22.5:1 ratio