Clinton County, Michigan

Clinton County is situated in Michigan�s central lower peninsula, a little to the southeast. This county was named after a former governor of New York, De Witt Clinton, who was responsible for organizing the building of the Erie Canal which significantly effected migration to Michigan in the mid 1800�s. The county was organized in 1839 with St. Johns becoming the county seat in 1854. Salt mining and agriculture were the main sources of economic support. Later, the county became noted for its peppermint and spearmint crop; in the 1930�s there were over 50 known mint stills around the St. Johns area.

Today, the county is still mainly agricultural, along with a small but stable manufacturing base . Spearmint farming continues, and St. Johns celebrates its annual mint festival every August. Other points of interest include the Maple River State Game area and historic Ovid, with its vintage turn-of-the-century architecture. The Looking Glass River, aptly named, is also a unique feature flowing through Wacousta and
De Witt.

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