Iosco County

Iosco County is an administrative county on Michigan's northern Lake Huron shoreline. The area is characterized by its extensive waterfront and inland lakes that shape the local geography and environment.

The region was established in 1840 and renamed from its original designation to Iosco County in 1843. County government was formally organized in 1857, the same period when gypsum mining began to drive the local economy.

The Alabaster Historic District shows traces of gypsum mining that shaped local life for generations. Visitors can still see old mining sites and industrial structures that remain part of the regional identity today.

The region is accessible via US Route 23 and the scenic M-55, which serve as main transportation corridors. Plan for longer travel times given the area's rural character and distance from major urban centers.

The county's name was invented by geographer Henry Schoolcraft as a constructed term meant to evoke Native American language. This was one of his experiments in creating place names that would sound unfamiliar and foreign to contemporary audiences.

GPS coordinates: 44.35020,-83.65822

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23