Charlevoix County, Michigan

Michigan drew the boundaries for Charlevoix County in 1840. At that time the county was called Keskauko County. Settlers began to arrive and the name was changed to Charlevoix after the famed Jesuit missionary Pierre F. de Charlevoix in 1843.

In 1847 James Strang, an early elder of the Mormon Church formed one of Michigan's most successful religious communities on Beaver Island. Strang was elected king of the "Kingdom of St. James" in 1850 where he ruled as a dictator. The group elected Strang to the state legislature but after his assassination in 1856 the colony disbanded.

The county enjoys beautiful harbors, fine beaches, quaint resort towns, and the very sizable Lake Charlevoix. The action in Charlevoix County includes hunting, fishing, mushroom picking, an apple festival and some of Michigan's finest downhill skiing.

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