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Roscommon County
May 3, 1909 — A permanent Higgins Lake post office opened May 3, 1909, giving the growing resort and lake community a formal postal identity. An earlier summer-only post office had operated briefly in 1902. The office was later discontinued, reestablished as Lyon Manor, and changed back to Higgins Lake on Jan. 1, 1960.
May 8, 2018 — Roscommon recall and school millage election.
Roscommon County voters went to the polls May 8, 2018, for school millage questions and a Village of Roscommon recall election. In the recall, Mike Miller defeated Village President Dan Fishel, 89-71.
Crawford County
May 8, 1968 —The Fletcher Road Fire broke out May 8, 1968, after a pipeline welding crew ignited a wildfire. The fire burned 4,216 acres in Kalkaska and Crawford counties, crowned through more than 75% of the trees, jumped Fletcher Road and burned at about 2 miles per hour.
May 8, 1990 — The Stephan Bridge Road Fire became one of Crawford County’s defining wildfire disasters. Crawford County’s hazard plan says the fire began near Grayling when ashes from a brush and timber fire rekindled, then spread in strong winds and dry conditions. It burned 76 homes, 125 structures, 37 vehicles and boats, and more than 5,900 acres, with losses estimated at $5.5 million.
Ogemaw County
May 4, 1926 — Leonard Tucker, a Civil War veteran who served with Battery L, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, died in Rose Township at age 82. He had lived in Rose Township since 1894 and is buried in the Rose City Cemetery.
May 3, 2025 — The 71st season of West Branch Little League opened Saturday, May 3, 2025. Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year Richard Ladd threw out the first pitch to kick off a full day of baseball and softball.
Oscoda County
May 3, 1882 — The community now known as Mio was first called Mioe. Its post office opened and the name was changed to Mio on Nov. 21, 1883.
May 5-8, 1980 — The Mack Lake Fire burned May 5-8, 1980, on the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The official fire analysis listed the cause as an escaped U.S. Forest Service prescribed fire. The fire burned a total of 24,790 acres.
May 4, 2016 — The old Oscoda County Courthouse in Mio was damaged beyond repair by fire May 4, 2016. The courthouse was built in 1888 and was believed to be the oldest wood-frame courthouse still in use in Michigan at the time.
Iosco County
May 5, 1968 — On May 5, 1968, the Tawas City Methodist Church and East Tawas Methodist Church voted to merge and officially became Tawas United Methodist Church. The two congregations had deep local roots: the East Tawas church was built in 1870, and the Tawas City church was built in 1873.
May 8, 2024 — Public tours resumed at Tawas Point Lighthouse after restoration work. The lighthouse reopened for public tours for the first time since 2022.
Arenac County
May 10, 1892 — After voters approved moving the Arenac County seat from Omer to Standish in April 1892, the county books and records were officially moved to Standish. County officers used space in the Opera House block, and circuit court sessions were held in the Opera House until a courthouse was completed.
May 10, 1945 — T/Sgt. Lyle Mahlon Ostrander, born in Turner Township, served in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II. He was reported missing in action Nov. 9, 1944, while serving as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator. His status was later changed to killed in action on May 10, 1945.
Editor’s Note: Resources for this week in history include: Crawford County Historical Society, Roscommon HIstorical Society, ChatPT and Wiki.
