Rogers City, Michigan

Rogers City, Michigan
City
Rogers City Marina on Lake Huron
Seal
Nickname(s):  "The Nautical City", "R.C."
Location within Presque Isle County
Rogers City Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 45°25′08″N83°49′06″W / 45.41889°N 83.81833°W / 45.41889; -83.81833
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Presque Isle
Government
• Type	City council
•  Mayor	Scott McLennan
Area [1]
• Total	8.36 sq mi (21.65 km2)
• Land	4.54 sq mi (11.75 km2)
• Water	3.82 sq mi (9.90 km2)
Elevation	597 ft (182 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,850
• Density	628.45/sq mi (242.65/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	49779
Area code	989
FIPS code	26-69260 [2]
GNIS feature ID	0636115 [3]
Website	Official website

Rogers City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of and largest city in Presque Isle County. The city had a population of 2,850 at the 2020 census, a slight increase from 2,827 at the 2010 census.

The city is located in the northeast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, along the shore of Lake Huron. Within the city's limits is the world's largest open-pit limestone quarry, the Port of Calcite. The port is one of the largest shipping ports on the Great Lakes.

History

Rogers City was established in 1868, when William E. Rogers, Albert Molitor, Frederick Denny Larke, and John Raymond arrived to survey the area and for logging. In 1870, a post office opened in the settlement under the name Rogers' Mills, though this name was changed several times; to Rogers City in 1872, to Rogers in 1895, and back to Rogers City in 1928. The community was incorporated as a village in 1877, and as a city in 1944. ^{[4] [5]}

On November 15, 1958, the freighter, SS Carl D. Bradley, sank in a storm on Lake Michigan. Of the 35 crew members, 33 died in the sinking, and 23 were from Rogers City, the ship's home port. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.34 square miles (21.60 km²), of which 4.52 square miles (11.71 km²) is land and 3.82 square miles (9.89 km²) is water. ^[7] The city is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Climate

Climate data for Rogers City, Michigan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	55 (13)	60 (16)	75 (24)	93 (34)	95 (35)	100 (38)	100 (38)	100 (38)	95 (35)	87 (31)	76 (24)	63 (17)	100 (38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	27 (−3)	29 (−2)	37 (3)	50 (10)	63 (17)	73 (23)	78 (26)	76 (24)	68 (20)	56 (13)	43 (6)	31 (−1)	53 (11)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	11 (−12)	10 (−12)	19 (−7)	30 (−1)	41 (5)	50 (10)	56 (13)	55 (13)	47 (8)	38 (3)	29 (−2)	18 (−8)	34 (1)
Record low °F (°C)	−24 (−31)	−37 (−38)	−14 (−26)	2 (−17)	25 (−4)	30 (−1)	41 (5)	33 (1)	29 (−2)	20 (−7)	4 (−16)	−22 (−30)	−37 (−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.84 (47)	1.22 (31)	1.86 (47)	2.18 (55)	2.55 (65)	2.67 (68)	2.94 (75)	3.68 (93)	2.96 (75)	2.55 (65)	1.99 (51)	1.99 (51)	28.43 (723)
Source: [8]

Transportation

Erie Street

Airports

• Presque Isle County Airport

The nearest commercial airports are Alpena County Regional Airport and Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City)

Highways

• US 23
• 
  Bus. US 23
• M-68
• F-21

Bus

• Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Bay City, Michigan. ^[9]

Trails

• Huron Sunrise Trail to Forty Mile Point

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	325		—
1890	431		32.6%
1900	544		26.2%
1910	705		29.6%
1920	2,109		199.1%
1930	3,278		55.4%
1940	3,072		−6.3%
1950	3,873		26.1%
1960	4,722		21.9%
1970	4,275		−9.5%
1980	3,923		−8.2%
1990	3,642		−7.2%
2000	3,322		−8.8%
2010	2,827		−14.9%
2020	2,850		0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]

2010 census

As of the census ^[11] of 2010, there were 2,827 people, 1,328 households, and 800 families residing in the city. The population density was 625.4 inhabitants per square mile (241.5/km²). There were 1,628 housing units at an average density of 360.2 per square mile (139.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 1,328 households, of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.60.

The median age in the city was 51.9 years. 15.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 31.4% were from 45 to 64; and 29% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

Lakeside Park

As of the census ^[2] of 2000, there were 3,322 people, 1,480 households, and 914 families residing in the city. The population density was 727.2 inhabitants per square mile (280.8/km²). There were 1,626 housing units at an average density of 355.9 per square mile (137.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.43% White, 0.03% African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 1,480 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,531, and the median income for a family was $36,310. Males had a median income of $31,515 versus $19,107 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,750. About 5.3% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools in Rogers City consist of an elementary school (K-5) and Middle/High School (6-12). The wrestling, cross country, bowling, volleyball, baseball, football, and softball teams all have a reputation for being successful.

Economy

The northeast corner of Michigan has an industrial base. Rogers City is the locale of the world's largest limestone quarry and one of the world's largest limestone processing plant, which is also used in steel making all along the Great Lakes. Water transport has been formative to the economy. This ties to the world's largest cement plant, which is in Alpena to the south. Both of these landmarks are recognized by historical markers. ^[12]

Local attractions

• Rogers City Municipal Marina has nearly 100 slips, most on floating docks. There is a fishing platform on the east wall for breakwater fishing.
• P. H. Hoeft State Park has one mile (1.6 km) of sandy shoreline and 301 acres (1.22 km²) on Lake Huron. Hiking trails run through the forest and along the lake. There is a 142 site campground. The day use area has a playground, picnic sites, and a beach. ^[13] It was one of the fourteen original Michigan state parks, and the land was donated by lumber baron Paul H. Hoeft on January 2, 1922. ^[14] It is a 'four season park' offering camping even in the winter. ^[15]
• Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum tells the story of Rogers City's port activities, the seafarers of the Great Lakes, and the lost limestone carrier SS Carl D. Bradley that was homeported here.
• Presque Isle County Historical Museum
• A list and link for state historical markers is at Presque Isle County.

Local events

• Memorial Day Weekend Open House including Afternoon of Arts & Crafts at Forty Mile Point Light
• Presque Isle County Fair, Millersburg, Michigan, last weekend in June
• Rogers City Nautical Festival, first complete week in August
• Fat Hogs Fishing Frenzie, annual Salmon Tournament, Labor Day weekend
• Posen Potato Festival, Posen, Michigan, first weekend in September
• Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival—Four days in second week in October, Forty Mile Point Open For Tours All Four Days ^[16]

Media

Newspapers

• The local newspaper, the Presque Isle County Advance , has served the area since 1878. The Advance made statewide news itself in February 2006, when it fell victim to a fire which also destroyed Big D's Pizza. Both businesses recovered, with Big D's moving to a new location and the Advance moving into an efficient new building on the same location as the old one 10 months later.
• The Alpena News is also widely available in the area.

Television

The following television stations are available over-the-air:

• Channel 4: WTOM-TV "TV 7&4" (NBC) (Cheboygan; satellite of WPBN-TV, Traverse City)
• Channel 6: WCML "CMU Public Television" (PBS) (Alpena; satellite of WCMU-TV, Mount Pleasant)
• Channel 8: WGTQ "ABC 29&8" (ABC) (Sault Ste. Marie; satellite of WGTU, Traverse City)
• Channel 10: WWUP-TV "9&10 News" (CBS) (Sault Ste. Marie; satellite of WWTV, Cadillac)
• Channel 11: WBKB-TV "Channel 11 News" (CBS, Fox on DT2) (Alpena)
• Channel 45: WFUP "Fox 32" (Fox) (Vanderbilt; satellite of WFQX-TV Cadillac)

Charter Communications is the local cable provider for Rogers City; the system offers all the above channels, as well as WNEM-DT2 (MyNetworkTV, Bay City) and CBMT (CBC Television, Montreal).

Radio

WHAK-AM 960 is the heritage station in Rogers City. All three local stations licensed to Rogers City now broadcast out of studios in Alpena, leaving Rogers City without a truly locally based station of its own.

The following radio stations can be heard in Rogers City

FM

Call Sign	Frequency	City Broadcast From
WPHN	90.5	Gaylord (contemporary Christian music)
WCML	91.7	Alpena; studios in Mount Pleasant (public radio)
WFDX	92.5	Atlanta; studios in Traverse City (classic hits)
WKJZ	94.9	Hillman; studios in Tawas City (adult hits)
WRGZ	96.7	Rogers City; studios in Alpena (country music)
WHAK-FM	99.9	Rogers City; studios in Alpena (oldies)
WHSB	107.7	Alpena (hot adult contemporary)

AM

Call Sign	Frequency	City Broadcast From
WTCM	580	Traverse City (talk radio)
WHAK	960	Rogers City; studios in Alpena (simulcast of 99.9 FM)

See also

• Forty Mile Point Light
• Rogers City Branch

Notes

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rogers City, Michigan
4. Romig, Walter (1986). Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. pp. 481–482. ISBN   0-8143-1838-X.
5. "Did You Know 01". www.thebradleyhouse.org. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
6. Schumacher, Michael (2008). Wreck of the Carl D.: A True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. pp. xiii–xiii. ISBN   978-0-253-22258-9.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
8. "Average Weather for Monroe, MI - Temperature and Precipitation". Weatherbase. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
9. "BAY CITY-ALPENA-CHEBOYGAN-ST. IGNACE" (PDF). Indian Trails. March 19, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 24, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 25, 2012.
12. "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012.
13. Map of P.H. Hoeft State Park in PDF format
14. Overview of Hoeft State Park
15. "Wildernet.com - P. H. Hoeft State Park, Michigan State Parks and Forests". wildernet.com.
16. "40 Mile Point Lighthouse Home page". 40milepointlighthouse.org.

External links

• City of Rogers City official website.
• Rogers City Chamber of Commerce, including links, calendar of local events.
• "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Michigan". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017.
• Map of Michigan Lighthouse in PDF Format.
• Michigan Historical Markers ^[usurped]

45°25′17″N83°49′06″W / 45.42139°N 83.81833°W / 45.42139; -83.81833