Arenac County, Michigan

Arenac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,269. The county seat is Standish.HistoryArenac County was organized in 1883. The name Arenac, coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, US Indian Agent and ethnologist, is a derivation of the Latin arena and the Native American ac. The combined words mean “A sandy place for a good footing.”On April 4, 1907 A train left the tracks at Alger and 16 cars plunged through the depot. The depot and it's cars were destroyed by a fire following the wreck. A local store was also destroyed.The county includes some off-reservation trust lands held by the federal government for the federally recognized Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation, which is based in Isabella County. In early 2007, plans were confirmed for a casino to be constructed outside of the city of Standish with a scheduled opening by the end of the year. It is owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. The Saganing Eagles Landing Casino grand opening was held January 24, 2008 at 2690 Worth Road.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (47%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by land area. Arenac County can be considered a part of either Northern Michigan or Central Michigan.