Tourist Attractions and Accommodations

Mecosta County has more than 100 lakes, many having good facilities for swimming, fishing and boating. Also modern cottages and cabins are available to vacationers. Chippewa Lake is the largest natural lake and is located about 12 miles northeast of Big Rapids.

Conservation and Wild Life

The State Conservation Fish Hatchery, also called Paris Fish Hatchery, opened in 1881, the Paris Fish Hatchery was the state's second fish-rearing agency. This area was selected because of its abundant sources of water and excellent railroad connections. The Paris Fish Hatchery was a major supplier of salmon and brown trout fingerlings. Fish in milk cans painted a distinctive red were shipped throughout the state in railroad baggage cars, the most famous was the "Wolverine," which was used from 1913 to 1938, when motorized vehicles began to dominate shipments. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) renovated and expanded the facility in the mid 1930s. It continued to operate until 1964, when it was closed by the Department of Natural Resources. The site was acquired by the Mecosta County Park Commission in 1973, refurbished as a park and reopened in July 1976.

Featherbed Marsh Wildlife Area

This area is a unit of Haymarsh Lake State Game Area. The marsh, comprising 427 acres, is fed by numerous springs which converge to form a single outlet. A beaver dam across the outlet partially and intermittently flooded the marsh in past years. This Beaver dam has been replaced by a low-head, concrete dam, in 1952. The permanent dam will maintain a stable, year-round head of water over the marsh and thus increase the capacity of the area for water-foul and muskrats. The hillsides surrounding the marsh have been planted with pine trees to provide cover for game species such as deer and rabbits.

Haymarsh Lake State Game Area contains approximately 5,500 acres of wild, non-farmable land whose best use is recreation and timber crops.

Recreation, hunting and fishing are the primary considerations in the management of these areas. This land was purchased by the Conservation Department with fishing and hunting license money and Pittman-Robertson funds. The Pittman-Robertson money comes from a Federal tax on areas, ammunition, and sporting equipment. The money is apportioned among the states according to the number of hunting licenses sold in the state and the land area of the state. The Haymarsh Area was dedicated in 1948, and the dam to flood part of the area was completed in June, 1949. The impoundment floods approximately 420 acres. It is designed to improve the habitat for waterfowl, fur-bearers, and fish. It also provides picnic and camping spots, hunting and fishing, access for berry pickers and mushroom hunters, scenic trails, and many other uses. Waterfowl, beaver, deer, muskrats, ruffled grouse, woodcock, raccoons, rabbits, and various other wildlife are common here. Four County Parks (Browers Park, School Section Lake Park, Paris Park, and Merrill Lake Park) accommodate trailers, boats, picnics, etc..

Canadian Lakes Development

This is one of the County's newest developments, located in Morton Township, Canadian Lakes is a private development consisting of five small lakes which have been combined and flooded and contains approximately 5,000 acres, which includes the lake and lots located for cottages. This is not open to the public as you must own a lot to have access to Canadian Lakes.

Population

Mecosta County has a population of 38,000 and is 36 miles square. The City of Big Rapids, The Mecosta County seat, has a population of 14,600. (These figures are from the last census taken 1990). The County is governed by the Mecosta County Board of Supervisors, consisting of one supervisor from each of the 16 townships and five from the City of Big Rapids, making a total of 21 supervisors on the board. There are four regular sessions of the Board: January, April, June and October. Since 1958 they meet once each month.

Cities: Big Rapids
Incorporated Villages: Barryton, Mecosta, Morley, Stanwood and Remus
Unincorporated Villages: Altona, Paris, Rodney and Chippewa Lake
Natural Resources: Oil and Gas. There are two electric power plants in the country. There are more than 100 lakes and many miles of trout streams.

Agriculture

More than 70% of the entire area of the county is in its farms. It is considered a farming county, and predominating soil is sandy loam. It is noted for it's dairy farms, corn, wheat, cattle and hay which is mostly alfalfa and clover and some barley and rye. Many Christmas trees are also raised. For cash crops there are cucumbers, colored dry beans,string beans, peas, potatoes, strawberries, and cherries.