Algonac, Michigan

Algonac is a city in St. Clair County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,110 at the 2010 census.

Algonac is located at the southern end of the St. Clair River, just before it splits into a large delta region known as the St. Clair Flats. (Coordinates 42°36′N 82°34′W / 42.6°N 82.56°W / 42.6; -82.56) The St. Clair River drains Lake Huron into Lake St. Clair and is part of the Great Lakes Waterway.

At the center of Algonac is Algonac City Park, a park which contains a half-mile long boardwalk along the St. Clair River. Just to the north of the city is Algonac State Park.

Algonac was the birthplace of Emily Helen Butterfield, artist and 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 speed boats. It was also the home of Gar Wood the first great speed boat racer.

History

Algonac was first settled by John Martin in 1805. The area was then known as Manchester or Pointe Du Chene ("point of the oak"). In 1836, it was the fourth village laid out on the St. Clair River. In 1863, it was described as containing "a church, two or three saw-mills, a grist-mill, woollen factory, and about 700 inhabitants".