Mio, Michigan

Mio (/ˈmaɪ.oʊ/ MY-OH) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County.[3] As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 1,826.

Mio, Michigan
Census-designated place (CDP) & unincorporated community
Community looking south along M-33
Location within Oscoda County
Mio
Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 44°39′08″N 84°07′47″W
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyOscoda
TownshipsBig Creek, Elmer, and Mentor
Founded1881
Area
 • Total8.98 sq mi (23.3 km2)
 • Land8.37 sq mi (21.7 km2)
 • Water0.61 sq mi (1.6 km2)
Elevation1,020 ft (311 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total1,826
 • Density218.2/sq mi (84.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
48647
Area code(s)989
FIPS code26-54660[2]
GNIS feature ID1620853[1]

Mio is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township on the east, Big Creek Township on the west, and Elmer Township to the northwest. As an unincorporated community, Mio has no legal autonomy as an incorporated municipality.

History

The community was founded in 1881 and was originally called "Mioe" in honor of the wife of town founder Henry Deyarmond. Other founders included Colige Comins, Reirlo Fosdick, and John Randall.[4] A post office named Mioe opened May 3, 1882. The name changed to Mio on November 21, 1883.[5]

State record

On July 13, 1936, the temperature in Mio reached 112 °F (44.4 °C), the highest temperature ever recorded in Michigan.[6]

Along the AuSable River stands the biggest red cedar tree in Michigan. The tree can be found down a trail along the river between Comins Flats and M-DOT in Mio.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 8.98 square miles (23.3 km2), of which 8.37 square miles (21.7 km2) is land and 0.61 square miles (1.6 km2) (6.79%) is water.

The Mio post office, with ZIP Code 48647, also serves the northern portions of Mentor Township and the northeastern part of Big Creek Township, as well as a large area of eastern and southern Elmer Township and smaller portions of western Clinton Township and Comins Township.[7]

Geographic features

Mio, part of Northern Michigan, is situated in the Au Sable River Valley. It is surrounded by the Huron National Forest and near the Rifle River State Recreation Area. The area is part of the Au Sable State Forest, specifically the Grayling Forest Management Unit (Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, and northern Iosco counties). Much of the area sits on the Grayling outwash plain.[8] The Oscoda County Park is minutes away.[9]

Education

Mio-AuSable Schools is a Kindergarten through 12th grade school, with all grades contained in one building. Middle school and high school students are enrolled in seven classes each day, and the year routine follows a semester schedule. Mio-AuSable currently offers two Advanced Placement (AP) courses, AP Biology and AP Calculus AB. The school does not offer any Honors courses, but to make up for the lack of advanced classes, students are encouraged to dual-enroll through Kirtland Community College. Sophomores, juniors and seniors can choose to take online classes through the nearby community college, and if the students receive at least a C in a course, they will be granted college credit in that course which may transfer into the university of their choice after high school.

The high school has about approximately 170 students and 17 teachers, some of which double as middle school teachers. The current superintendent is Paul Ciske. The high school and middle school principal is Dennis Niles. Both the superintendent and principal got their positions in 2018, following the retirement of superintendent and high school/middle school principal Jim Gendernalik. Kelly McDonald is the 6th through 12th grade counselor, and Jeanette McVeigh is the administrative assistant. Paul Ciske also acts as the elementary school principal. The Mio-AuSable school board is composed of seven members who meet on the second Monday of every month in the school auditorium. The members include Penny Irelan, Mary Lou Hunter, David Lashley, Jessi Mitchell, Cheryl LaVigne, Amy Fullerton, and Lizz Holzwarth.

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,016 people, 826 households, and 537 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 270.1 per square mile (104.3/km2). There were 1,191 housing units at an average density of 159.6 per square mile (61.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.83% White, 0.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

Many Mio residents are either Amish, of Amish descent, Mennonite, or of Mennonite descent – with most being non-Anabaptist Christians.

There were 826 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,831, and the median income for a family was $31,379. Males had a median income of $29,542 versus $20,927 for females. The per capita income for the community was $13,064. About 13.9% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Local attractions and activities

The community is centered in the Huron National Forest along the Au Sable River. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:

  • Oscoda County Riverfest
  • Amish community with stores and bakeries
  • Birding
  • Boating, paddling (canoe and kayak)
  • Coptic Orthodox St. Mina Retreat Center
  • Fishing, particularly trout fishing
  • Mio Pond Fishing Tournament (Pike, walleye, and bass)
  • Geocaching
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Kirtland's Warbler Habitat and Festival: The Kirtland's warbler has its habitat in the area.[10] There is a Kirtland's Warbler Festival, which is sponsored in part by Kirtland Community College.[11]
  • Mennonite Relief Expo & Fair
  • Michigan Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail passes through Mio. It runs from Empire to Oscoda, and points north and south. It is a 500-mile interconnected system of trails.[12]
  • Nordic skiing
  • ORV, motorcycle, and groomed snowmobile trails[13]
  • Steiner's Museum of pioneer artifacts is in nearby Fairview.[14]
  • Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Shrine[15]
  • Timberland Quilt Trail

Local recurring events

There are many recurring local events,[16] including:

  • First Dam Canoe Race (Michigan Canoe Racing Association)[17]
  • Mennonite relief sale[18]
  • Michigan Magazine Craft Show[19]
  • Mio Mud Bogs & Drags[20]
  • Nor-East'r Music & Art Festival[21]
  • Outdoor Sportsmen's Expo
  • Oscoda County Fair & Forestry Exposition[22]

Historical markers

There are two historical markers in Mio.

  • Mio Hydroelectric Plant was built in 1916 on the lower Au Sable River. William W. Tefft, a Consumers Power civil and hydraulic engineer, invented and patented the so-called "conduit spillway", which channels excessive flow through channels built into the plant. This was the first plant to use it, and it is cheaper than other forms of spillways.[23]
  • Oscoda County Courthouse was built in 1888.[24][25] It was destroyed by a fire on May 5, 2016.

Other notable places
  • Union Corners is an abandoned "town" situated on Valley Road in Mio, Michigan. It was abandoned in 1882 when its county government moved to where downtown Mio is now located today. Originally, it was a small farming community. However, the farmers moved from the area because of the poor soil quality. Today, there are very few remnants of Union Corners besides a plaque where the town used to be located and various grave sites throughout the area. Some of these grave sites belong to members of the Union Corners community.
  • Hinchman Acres Resort has been providing a place for families to come for vacation since 1933. Originally the vision of Chapin and Lera Hinchman, Hinchman Acres Resort is a camping ground with access to the AuSable River, with facilities for canoeists, rafters, and kayakers. In 1965, the Hinchmans parted ways with the resort. Since purchasing the resort from Ed and Doris Holloway in 1971, Sam and Natalie Giardina have managed the Hinchman Acres Resort.[26]
  • The Timberland Quilt Trail. In 2001, Donna Groves (of Adams County, Ohio) started a national movement by painting a quilt block on her barn to honor her mother who was known as a "master quilter". Shortly after people everywhere started to do the same until the Timberland Quilt Trail became a national movement. In early 2012, the Timberland Quilt Trail started in Mio, Michigan. Along with more than 30 other states and multiple counties, Mio has helped to contribute to the 3,000+ registered quilt blocks throughout the U.S. Many people want to participate in the Timberland Quilt trail and you might even find "Volunteer" quilt blocks in Mio. Although the "Volunteer" quilt blocks can be found in Mio, they will be found on private property and they are not part of the Timberland Quilt Trail. Every summer multiple quilt blocks are added to the Timberland Quilt Trail and can be viewed from the adjacent public road. https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192305/http://oscodacountymi.org/timberland-quilt-trail/

Media

The following can be accessed in Mio, Michigan.

Newspapers
  • The Oscoda County Herald[27] is a weekly publication available on newsstands every Tuesday and by mail on Wednesday. The paper covers news and sports from all of Oscoda County, as well as other nearby communities. It also serves as the paper of record for all municipalities in Oscoda County, and is the only newspaper recognized by the Michigan Press Association that operates inside of Oscoda County. The Oscoda County Herald is owned by Sunrise Printing & Publishing, which also owns the Ogemaw County Herald and the Arenac County Independent.

Television

Radio

FM
Call sign Frequency City of License
WJOJ 89.7 Harrisville
WPHN 90.5 Gaylord
WCML 91.7 Alpena
WFXD 92.5 Atlanta
WAVC 93.9 Mio
WKJZ 94.9 Hillman
WCMB-FM 95.7 Oscoda
WUPS 98.5 Harrison
WATZ 99.3 Alpena
WGRY 100.3 Grayling
WMJZ 101.5 Gaylord
WKJC 104.7 Tawas City
WHSB 107.7 Alpena

AM

There are no AM radio stations in range of Mio, Michigan, although WWJ can be heard faintly at night.

Notable Mio history

Detroit-area hunters murdered

For nearly eighteen years, Mio was thrust into the local and national media spotlight due to a case involving two Detroit-area hunters who went missing in the fall of 1985 and all the residents of the area refused to help under fear of death or bodily harm. On November 21, 1985, childhood friends David Tyll and Brian Ognjan were beaten to death with baseball bats outside of a local bar. The case was eventually cracked in 2003, when two brothers, Raymond and Donald Duvall, both from South Branch, MI, in Iosco County, were convicted of murdering the pair near Mio. It was rumored that the murderers had disposed of the bodies by feeding them to pigs.[28] When the two brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole, Tyll's father said, "They took my son. It doesn't bring him back, but it's something." [29] A true account of the crimes was detailed in a 2006 book by Tom Henderson, titled Darker Than Night.

The PBB contamination event of 1973

In 1973, a polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) contamination event caused farmers in the area to destroy their herds. This event contaminated various animals including cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep when a dock worker accidentally shipped five hundred pounds of fire retardant "Fire Master" instead of the feed supplement called Nutrimaster.[30] Shortly after, the farmers noticed deformities and sickness among their livestock as well as the newborn calves. More than 35,000 cows were contaminated and destroyed. Out of these, 1,300 were dumped into a clay-lined pit in Mio.[30] As of 2014, PBB is still detectable in some blood tests of people in this area.[30]

Notes
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mio, Michigan
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Mio Bed and Breakfasts, Michigan Lake to Lake Bed and Breakfast Association - Michigan Lake to Lake Bed and Breakfast Association". laketolake.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  5. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mio Post Office
  6. "The Geography of Michigan". netstate.com. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  7. 48647 5-Digit ZCTA, 486 3-Digit ZCTA - Reference Map - American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau, 2000 census
  8. "NPWRC :: Regional Landscape". usgs.gov. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  9. Oscoda County Park Archived October 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Kirtland's Warbler Populations Continue to Grow. Archived December 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Kirtland Warbler Festival and links". Archived from the original on January 2, 2008.
  12. Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail.
  13. Michigan Organizations, Oscoda County Chamber of Commerce.
  14. "steinermuseum.org". steinermuseum.org. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  15. "Home". ourladyofthewoodsshrine.org. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  16. Oscoda County Chamber of Commerce, including calendar of events, attractions.
  17. "Mio Race Info". miracing.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  18. "Quilts and Handrafted Furniture - Auction - Northern Michigan Relief Sale Michigan - Mio, MI". reliefsale.org. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  19. "SKYLINE EVENT CENTER". angelfire.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  20. "AuSable Valley Inn". ausablevalleyinn.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  21. "Nor-East'r Music & Art Festival". noreastr.net. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  22. Oscoda County Fair & Forestry Exposition. Archived December 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  23. "Mio electric Plant historical marker". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
  24. "Web Archives: View Archived Page". cdlib.org. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  25. "Mio historical markers". Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
  26. "Hinchman Acres Resort History". hinchman.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  27. The Oscoda County Herald
  28. McDiarmid, Jr., Hugh (October 29, 2003). "2 brothers found guilty of murdering hunters". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  29. http://www.michigan/sportsman.com/form/achieve/index.php/t/51347.html
  30. "PBB exposure forced farmers to destroy their herds". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
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