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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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PIONEER HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
by Florence McKinnon Gwinn
Huron County Pioneer & Historical Society, 1922

[page 99]

CHAPTER IV
TIMBER INDUSTRIES, EARLY AGRICULTURE
SALT MANUFACTURE

      The manufacture of salt was started at Port Aus-
  tin in 1863.  Later there were wells at Port Crescent,
  Caseville and Port Hope.
  
      Among the things which led to the settlement of
  the county was the passage of the Graduation Act in
  1854.  Many of the settlers located their land under this
  act.  Wild lands in Michigan and other states had been
  on the market for 20 to 40 years without a purchaser.
  This condition of affairs was brought to the attention of
  the Congress of the United States and after due delib-
  eration an act was passed to reduce the price of lands on
  the market for 20 years or more, the price to vary from
  $1.00 to 12 1/2 cents per acre, according to a graduated
  scale, governed by the length of time the land had been
  on the market.  Many of the early settlers thus obtained
  their land for 25 cents per acre.
  
      Huron county is favorably located.  The map re-
  veals that it has the longest shore line of any county in
  the state with deep waters upon three sides.  This water
  stretch, constantly in motion and coming in contact with
  the surrounding atmosphere  modifies the climate both
  in summer and winter.  Indeed it is a notable fact that
  the Huron Peninsula enjoys the most delightful autumns
  of any portion of the whole country.  This gives all kinds
  of fruits and cereals ample opportunity to mature.  Its
  summer resorts are fast becoming noted for the excel-
  lent bathing facilities.  Tourists come from many places
  to spend their vacations here.
  
      Agricultural interests have steadily developed, the
  pioneer gradually giving place to the more advanced
  farmer and the land which was once only considered
  valuable for its pine timber has been transformed into
  excellent farms.  The soil and climate are well adapted
  to the raising of wheat, oats, barley, peas, beans, sugar
  
  
[page 100]         PIONEER HISTORY OF HURON COUNTY

  beets, corn and potatoes and most kinds of vegetables,
  while apples, pears, plums and other fruits are success-
  fully grown.
  
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