Houghton Lake, Michigan


Houghton Lake is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The CDP is located within Denton, Lake, and Roscommon townships. The population was 3,427 at the 2010 census.
The CDP is situated on the southwest shore of Houghton Lake, which is Michigan's largest inland lake, and also includes the unincorporated community of Houghton Lake Heights. The community of Prudenville borders on the east. M-55 runs through the communities, and U.S. Route 127 is the western boundary of the Houghton Lake CDP.

History

The Houghton Lake area's first white settlers were said to be the Emery family in 1873. Augustus Emery, his wife, and their 7 children left their home in Chesaning, Michigan, and made their way on foot to an area three miles south of the lake via the well-known Saginaw Trail. It was here that Mr. Emery and his three sons, Augustus, Jr., 21, William, 19, and Harvey, 17, would construct the family home on 160 acres of homesteaded property.
Lumbering had a profound impact on the early development of Houghton Lake. In the mid-1800s, lumber camps in the area were abundant, and roads, towns, and railways were established to support the lumber trade. Logs were floated from Houghton Lake down the Muskegon River to sawmills and shipping facilities in Muskegon. It has been estimated that in 1860 alone, mills on the Muskegon River produced 75,000,000 board-feet of lumber.
By the late 1800s, lumbering became the primary industry in the area. As lumber camps sprung up around saw mills, more settlers arrived. Around 1883, a community at Houghton Lake had been created.
Houghton Lake was originally called "Roscommon Lake". However, in 1879, after the untimely death of famous physician, explorer, and Michigan's first state geologist, Douglass Houghton, Roscommon Lake was honorably renamed Houghton Lake.
With the decline of the lumbering industry in the early 1900s, railways that had been used to transport lumber were transformed to passenger lines to bring outdoorsmen to fish, hunt, and experience the beauty of the "north country." The Houghton Lake fishery became legendary and attracted visitors from far and wide.
By the mid-1900s Houghton Lake had become known as a prime resort area. Today, thousands of seasonal cottages, year-round homes, and businesses border the lake. Houghton Lake remains one of Michigan's top resort and vacation destinations and attracts thousands of visitors to its shores each year.
In 1927, the "Johnson Dance Hall," presently known as "The Playhouse," was erected and served for many years as the entertainment center for the area. The Playhouse and the surrounding property are now home to The Houghton Lake Historical Society, as well as the yearly event "Historic Village Days"
The town was struck by a windstorm on June 11, 1932, which killed four people. During a snowstorm that caused reduced visibility, two married couples died when they drove their cars into the frozen lake on New Year's Day, 1957. The Limberlost Hotel, situated on the shore of Houghton Lake, was destroyed by a fire in 1968 causing one injury but no deaths. Two men drowned in a snowmobile accident during a carnival on the frozen lake in 1980.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Climate

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,749 people, 1,646 households, and 1,030 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 633.6 per square mile. There were 3,057 housing units at an average density of 516.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.95% White, 0.35% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.
There were 1,646 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,443, and the median income for a family was $30,735. Males had a median income of $23,346 versus $16,111 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,862. About 10.2% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Tip Up Town USA

Houghton Lake is home to Tip Up Town USA, Michigan’s largest winter festival. Tip Up Town has events throughout the month of January starting with a kick off and ending with a polar plunge. All of these events are included with the purchase of a 10 dollar badge, and children under 5 are free. These are sold at many local businesses as well as the Chamber of Commerce. The events start with the Tip Up Town Kick Off held at the Houghton Lake Playhouse. At the kick off, there are auctions for the first 10 Tip Up Town badges, first 10 polar bear dippers, and several signature tip ups. The event ends with the campaigns and voting for the Queen, Mayor, and Marshal. The following weekend is the fundraiser at Shenanigan’s Pub and Grub where items donated by many local businesses are auctioned off. The third and fourth weekend in January is the main event. The weekend starts off with a parade through town ending at the site which is the DNR boat launch by the Pines Theater. The two weekends are packed with family fun such as ice fishing, egg tosses, pie eating, hula hoop contests, carnival rides, and so much more. For the adults, there is an adult beverage tent, snowmobile and side by side races, beard and antique snowmobile contests. Tip Up Town ends with a splash at the Polar Bear Dip. Tip Up Town is a month full of fun that brings a lot of much needed business to the Houghton Lake area.
For more information about Tip Up Town you can go to https://www.houghtonlakechamber.net/tip-up-town-usa/

Historic Village Days

A weekend event takes place at the Historic Playhouse and the recreated village featuring 13 historical buildings that have been restored or rebuilt to reflect life in the logging-era of the late 1800s. A museum is housed in a hand-hewn log school house that was built in 1876. The village also features, as of August 2012, a General Store, Chapel, Cook Shack, Print Shop, Barber Shop / Pharmacy / Doctor's Office, Blacksmith, Dress Shop, Town Hall, Carriage Shop, and two homes.
Historic Village Days features many events and activities, from educational to recreational. Popular events and activities include a Pig Roast, Live Music, Liar's Contest, Story Telling, and more.
The Village is open every Friday and Saturday in June, July and August from 12-4, and Historic Village Days event takes place the first weekend in August.

Arts and crafts shows

Shows take place on Houghton Lake Middle School grounds in Houghton Lake on various dates throughout the year. The Houghton Lake Arts & Crafts Shows features artists & vendors with a wide variety of items for sale.
As of July 2013, the shows take place on weekends around Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.

Pumpkin Run

Car cruises, car shows, antique, classic, and vintage vehicles, competitions, DJ, karaoke, and more.

Bud Bash

Bud Bash is a yearly alcoholic party on the Southside of Houghton Lake. It’s a party on the lake that allows everyone 21 and older to have fun on the weekend of August 1. Started by the Limberlost owner in 1985, this is an ongoing summertime party every year. The previous owner thought that sales were too low during this time, so he created an idea to get everyone to gather everyone to his business.
With so many people in attendance every year, most of which are under the influence of some drug or alcohol, arrests are bound to be made. The year 2008 holds the record for one of the busiest bud bash weekends ever. That year, 152 arrests were made throughout every department between July 31 and August 3. Out of the 152 arrests, 118 of them were misdemeanors, 22 were felonies, and 12 were for operating a motor vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. In 2010, 138 arrests were made in total across all local area departments; this is down by 175 since the previous year. In 2016, there were only 23 arrests made, 2017 logged 44 arrests, 2018 with 27, and 2019 had a low number of 19, with only one of which being a felony charge. Despite the fact that there's more drugs, nudity, and violence with every coming year, arrest numbers are steadily declining. As of 2020, anywhere from 5,000-10,000 people are expected to be at Bud Bush, and the cops are going to be out in full-force. Looking to keep the public safe, they're going to be ready to make any arrests needed. Each year all officers are expected to be on duty for Bud Bash weekend to keep the event as safe and fun for everyone who attends. Houghton Lake’s BudBash brings in thousands of tourists from across the state of Michigan. With the crowds, come lots of business and money that can fuel our local economy. Along with any money required to pay for fines that include police matters. That money can help our local businesses stay open for seasons to come. The summer months are always crucial for small businesses in tourist towns. In fact, Houghton Lake started this tradition on the slowest weekend in the summer to bring in some new business and customers. For thirty-two years, Budbash has stayed in Houghton Lake to bring in as much money and stimulation for the economy as they can.