Midland County is one of 83 counties located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,494 making it the 24th largest by population in the state. It is the sixth smallest county by area. The county seat is Midland. The name of the county is due to its proximity to the geographical center of the Lower Peninsula. It was founded in 1831; however, it was not until 1855 that the county was effectively organized.
Midland County comprises the Midland, Michigan, metropolitan statistical area and is included in the Saginaw–Midland–Bay City combined statistical area in the Mid/Central Michigan region.
History Early history
For centuries, the county was home to Native Americans, and Chippewa Indians inhabited the area when the first Europeans made contact.
19th century In the year of 1831, Midland County's borders had been set. In 1850, Midland County was officially organized. In 1874, the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad linked Midland to the nationwide railroad network. The City of Midland, the county seat, is officially incorporated in 1887, and 3 years later in 1890, Herbert Henry Dow arrives and founds the Dow Chemical Corporation, today one of the world's largest chemical companies.
Civil War When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, many men from the county enlisted in the Union Army, many in Company B of the 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and Company H of the 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but some ended up in different regiments.Michigan and George H. Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, 1861-1865. (Kalamazoo, Mich.: Ihling bros. & Everard, printers, 1900). Volume 10, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008495064&view=1up&seq=9 Not all of them came back alive and several were wounded. Many veterans of the war are also buried in the county. There were a total of 5 different Posts, or veteran groups, of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans organization, in Midland County.
Some of the regiments which included men from Midland County are: 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 29th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
20th century In the 20th century the county saw significant growth with the entrenchment of the Dow Chemical Corporation and the establishment of major roads, highways, and a few minor airports. However, in the late 20th century the Pere Marquette Railroad was closed, which cut off passenger train travel from the region.
World War 1 In World War 1, once the US had entered the war in 1917, the Dow Chemical Corporation, based mainly in the city of Midland, was involved with the production of poisonous gases for use during the war, and with the production of ammunition. Additionally, 675 men from Midland joined the US military during the war, and 8 of them died in the line of duty.
World War 2 In World War 2, many men from the county enlisted in the US Military, and several would die. Additionally Dow turned its factories towards supplying the war effort and they would assist in manufacturing explosives, flares, and medicine. There is also a large memorial to veterans from Midland County from this war.
Cold War During the Cold War, an Army National Guard depot was set up in the city of Midland. In the Vietnam War, Dow and the rest of Midland County were the main suppliers of Napalm used during the conflict. Several men would also die in the Korean War and Vietnam War.
21st century In the 21st century, the Sons of Union Veterans, the successor to the Grand Army of the Republic, founded the U.S. Grant Camp No. 67, which serves the Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City area. During the War on Terror, many men from the county enlisted and few died. The Midland County Veterans Memorial was refurbished. The city of Coleman also built a new war memorial. Curiously, none of these memorials reference the service of Midland men in the Civil War.
In May 2020, Midland County residents in parts of the city of Midland, the village of Sanford, Edenville Township, Midland Township, Tittabawassee, Thomas Township, Saginaw Township, Lincoln Township, Homer Township and Dow Chemical were forced to evacuate due to high flooding which was caused by the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams.The Township of Jerome also suffered severe damage outside of the Village of Sanford
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.2%) is water. The distance to Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron is less than .
Adjacent counties Gladwin County (north) Bay County (east) Saginaw County (southeast) Gratiot County (south) Isabella County (west) Clare County (northwest)
Primary waterways Tittabawassee River Edenville Dam Wixom Lake Sanford Dam Sanford Lake Sturgeon Creek Salt River Tobacco River Chippewa River Pine River Kawkawlin River
Neighborhoods The city of Midland, Michigan occupies Midland Charter township. The city's incorporated area extends well into Larkin Township, Homer Township and a small portion of Lincoln Township.
There are more than 35 neighborhoods within city of Midland according to the neighborhood map on the city's website. There are eight main areas: Downtown encompasses the central business district and is a hub for commerce, dining, and cultural activities. The Center City includes the historic "Circle", dating from 1938, which was the city's second business district. North Side neighborhoods north of downtown, often with a mix of residential areas, parks and schools. Country Club features upscale houses, large lots with trees, highest walkability and bike scores. Midland West neighborhoods are known as friendly and peaceful with well-maintained properties. It includes the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers, parks and open spaces for recreation, often with a mix of housing styles and mature trees. Upscale Greystone Woods is located there. East End refers to the area east of downtown, often characterized by a mix of older residential and commercial spaces. A revitalization of Midtown started in 2018, along with Grove Park and surrounding neighborhoods and formation of the Midtown Midland Neighborhood Association. Industrial Park was the former location of Dow Chemical's plants along the Bay City Road corridor. In 2018, Dow Michigan Operations Industrial Park (I-Park), was created on the site that serves multiple companies as a logistics, manufacturing and R&D center for approximately 6,000 employees/contractors. While owned by Dow, it is supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund for modernization that will attract businesses with their utilities, logistics and environmental services. West Main Street Historic district was established in 1979 to preserve and document Midland's historical structures; specifically blocks and lots within the original Midland plat, offering a glimpse into the city's history. A commission reviews and must approve applications for construction, additions, alterations, repairs, moves, excavations, or demolitions of all properties within the district. the South is the relatively small area south of the Industrial Park, site of a defunct lumber town (Mapleton) and train depot. Discovery Square is an area in the city of Midland containing five prominent buildings designed by Alden B. Dow on land originally owned by his father, Herbert Henry Dow. They are: Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, Midland Center for the Arts, Michigan Molecular Institute, Dow Gardens and Alden Dow House and Studio. Alden Dow coined the name at the dedication of MCFTA in 1971. Heritage Park is at the Northwood University campus and an attraction featuring the 1874 Victorian Gothic Bradley Home; a brine well and the Herbert Dow Museum which is a replication of the Evens Flour Gristmill; and the Carriage House, which contains an operating blacksmith shop and a display of carriages and sleighs, all horse-drawn.
The only other incorporated city in the county is Coleman, Michigan in Warren Township, Michigan. Due to the town's small size (population 1,100) there are no formally defined neighborhoods; commonly recognized areas include the business district, "Stoner's-ville", Little Town, Pere Marquette Senior Estates and an industrial park.
According to the Midland County website, Pinecrest Farms is a notable development of 160 acres west of the Currie Golf Course. It is a long-term-care facility for the elderly and individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities.
The village of Sanford was founded in 1864 as the first salt well in Michigan. It has a population 813, according to the 2020 census and in the 21st century, life was centered around Sanford Lake, reservoir of the Sanford Dam on the Tittabawassee River.
Edenville Township includes the Tittabawassee River and Wixom Lake which provided recreational opportunities for residents and tourists. The Au Sable State Forest covers 40% of the township.
Climate Midland County has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with hot, rainy summers with cool nights and cold, snowy winters with average highs around freezing.
Parks and gardens
There are no National or State Parks in Midland County, but Midland City parks number 80+ with over of park land. Seven are classified as Regional Parks, typically larger than ; seven are considered Community Parks, normally over ; Neighborhood Parks number 19, usually between located within residential areas; and the 36 Mini-Parks are mostly less than an acre (). Other city-owned land includes pathways, undeveloped areas intended for "passive recreation", waterfront areas and protected natural areas. Walkers, joggers, bikers, and skaters can use the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, a ribbon of asphalt stretching to the neighboring city of Clare. Midland County's system of natural pathways continues to expand with the recent addition of the Chippewa Trail, which intersects with the Pere Marquette trail. The Chippewa Trail ends at the Chippewa Nature Center. The Chippewa Nature Center is a protected wildlife area with miles of trails within a territory of more than of deciduous and coniferous woods, rivers, ponds, wetlands (marsh, fen, bog, and swamp) and upland fields. Midland's Dow Gardens feature of flower and vegetable gardens, plus an arboretum. These were the original gardens of the Dow homestead and are open for tours. The Whiting Forest, home to the longest Canopy walkway in the nation, is connected to Dow Gardens with a series of pedestrian bridges and walks. The canopy walk is suspended up to 40 feet above the ground and is . Visitors can walk the trails, observe nature and enjoy drinks and snacks in the cafe.Trautman, Sherry (December 29, 2020). Travel-Mi.com .travel-mi.com. Dahlia Hill is a terraced garden and organization near the Dow Gardens that annually grows over 3,000 Dahlia plants that flower in late summer. The Tridge is a three-way bridge over the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers at Chippewassee Park. Other parks include Midland City Forest, Plymouth Park Pool & Fun Zone, Emerson Park, Barstow Woods and Central Park. County Parks outside the city include Sanford Lake Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Pine Haven Recreational Area, Manitou Park, Laur Big Salt River Park and River Trails Heritage Park.
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition