Algonac, Michigan

Algonac (/ˈɔːlɡəˌnæk/ AWL-gə-nack) is a city in St. Clair County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,196 at the 2020 census.

Incorporated as a village in 1867 and again as a city in 1967, Algonac is located at the southern end of the St. Clair River and contains a long boardwalk and riverfront park. Algonac State Park is located just north of the city. The city is also notable for the founding and headquarters of the now-defunct Chris-Craft Boats company.

Long occupied by Native American tribes, Algonac was settled in 1805 by European American John Martin, in the newly-organized Michigan Territory. The area had been known by French colonists, the first Europeans to settle here, as Pointe Du Chêne ("oak point", because of local trees). The later British colonists called it Manchester. In 1836, it was the fourth village laid out by Americans along the St. Clair River. Its present name was coined by Henry Schoolcraft and applied to the area in 1843.

Most settlement did not occur until the mid-19th century and later. In 1863, the small community was described as containing "a church, two or three saw-mills, a grist-mill, woollen factory, and about 700 inhabitants". It served as the center of a farming area. The economy was also based in lumbering, shipping, and trades associated with maritime activities on the Great Lakes.^{[citation needed]}

The village of Algonac was within Clay Township, although the two municipalities are administered autonomously since Algonac incorporated as a city in 1967.^{[citation needed]}

Algonac was the birthplace of Emily Helen Butterfield, an artist and the first woman to be licensed as an architect in Michigan. She was famous for innovations in church architecture. It was the home of Chris-Craft boat company, the maker of the first mass-produced speedboats. It was also the home of Gar Wood, the first great speed boat racer.

Algonac is home to two museums dedicated to its history. The Algonac Clay Community Museum contains many displays of Algonac's local history. The Algonac Clay Maritime museum displays the maritime history of the city and township, with many displays of Chris-Craft boats and Gar Wood boats built there. Both museums are open every weekend from May through October. Algonac is known as the birthplace of modern power boating.^{[citation needed]}

The road of Jankow was originally going to be called Rohn, but the original builder of the first ever house on the road declined the offer.^{[citation needed]}