The first white settlers that came in the 1820's were fishermen. Growth of the county was slow until the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad came to Petoskey. The soil was poor for farming, but lumbering was good. After the height of lumbering the resort industry grew. The first resort was Bay View followed by ones at Wesquetonsing and Harbor Point, which are still opened today.
Skiing is very popular here.
Fort Michilimackinac still stands today. This fort guarded the Straits of Mackinac during the 18th century. The Mackinaw Bridge is a National Landmark and is the longest suspension bridge in the world.