Editing Algonac, Michigan (section)

==History==
[[File:Smith Family Home (NBY 6052).jpg|thumb|left|250px|Smith family home, circa 1900]]

Long occupied by Native American tribes, Algonac was settled in 1805 by [[European American]] John Martin, in the newly-organized [[Michigan Territory]].<ref name=Romig>Romig, Walter (1986). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-FPXEGRo-YC&pg=PA17 ''Michigan Place Names''], p. 17. Wayne State University Press. </ref> The area had been known by [[French colonization of the Americas|French colonists]], the first Europeans to settle here, as ''Pointe Du Chêne'' ("oak point", because of local trees). The later [[British colonization of the Americas|British colonists]] called it Manchester.<ref>Royce, Julie (2006). [https://books.google.com/books?id=XBMjLh8PlkIC&pg=PA5 ''Traveling Michigan's Thumb''], p. 5. Dog Ear Publishing.</ref> In 1836, it was the fourth village laid out by Americans along the St. Clair River.<ref>Western Historical Company (1883). [https://books.google.com/books?id=O0AVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA256 ''History of St. Clair County, Michigan''], p. 256. A. T. Andreas & Co.</ref> Its present name was coined by [[Henry Schoolcraft]] and applied to the area in 1843.<ref name=Romig />

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 [[sawmill|saw-mills]], a [[gristmill|grist-mill]], woollen factory, and about 700 inhabitants".<ref>Disturnell, John (1863). [https://books.google.com/books?id=KVpnQB_7T2oC&pg=PA68 ''The Great Lakes, or Inland Seas of America''], p. 68. Charles Scribner.</ref> 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|date=September 2024}}

The village of Algonac was within [[Clay Township, Michigan|Clay Township]], although the two municipalities are administered autonomously since Algonac incorporated as a city in 1967.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

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 Boats|Chris-Craft]] boat company, the maker of the first mass-produced [[motorboat|speedboats]]. It was also the home of [[Gar Wood]], the first great speed boat racer.<ref name="Gar Woods home">{{cite news |title=North-South-East-West All Roads from Detroit Lead |work=Detroit Evening Times |issue=7 |publisher=Detroit Evening Times |date=August 5, 1927}}</ref>

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|date=September 2024}}

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|date=September 2024}}