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Mio, Michigan

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Country
  
United States

County
  
Oscoda

Time zone
  
Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)

Elevation
  
311 m

Population
  
2,016 (2000)

State
  
Michigan

Township
  
Big Creek Mentor

FIPS code
  
26-54660

Zip code
  
48647

Area code
  
826

Mio, Michigan wwwstatewidemiocomimagesDSC03331jpg

Area
  
20.98 km² (19.42 km² Land / 155 ha Water)

How to say or pronounce usa cities mio michigan


Mio /ˈmaɪ.oʊ/ is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County and is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township on the east and Big Creek Township on the west.

Contents

Map of Mio, MI 48647, USA

Mio is also a census-designated place (CDP) used for statistical purposes, but has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 2,016.

The town was founded in 1881, and was originally called "Mioe", in honor of the wife of town founder Henry Deyarmond. Other founders are Colige Comins, Reirlo Fosdick, and John Randall. A post office named Mioe opened May 3, 1882. The name changed to Mio on November 21, 1883. The Mio post office, with ZIP code 48647, also serves the northern portions of Mentor Township and the northeastern part of Big Creek Township, as well as a large area of eastern and southern Elmer Township and smaller portions of western Clinton Township and Comins Township.

State record

On July 13, 1936, the temperature in Mio climbed to 112 °F (44 °C), the highest temperature ever recorded in Michigan. The coldest recorded temperature is −51 °F (−46 °C) at Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.

Along the AuSable River stands the biggest red cedar tree in Michigan. The tree can be found down a trail along the river between Comins Flatts and M-Dot in Mio.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21 km2) of which 7.5 square miles (19 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (8.01%) is water.

Geographic features

  • Mio is situated in the Au Sable River Valley.
  • It is surrounded by the Huron National Forest and near the Rifle River State Recreation Area.
  • The area is part of the Au Sable State Forest, specifically the Grayling FMU (Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, and northern Iosco counties).
  • Much of the area sits on the Grayling outwash plain.
  • The Oscoda County Park is minutes away.
  • Mio is part of Northern Michigan.

    • Education

    Mio AuSable Schools is a Kindergarten through 12th grade school all in one building. Middle school and high school student are enrolled in 7 classes each day, and the year routine follows a semester schedule. Mio AuSable currently offers two Advanced Placement (AP) courses which are AP Chemistry and AP Calculus AB. The school does not offer any Honors courses, but to make up for the lack of advanced class, students are encouraged to dually enroll through Kirtland Community College. Juniors and seniors can choose to take an online class through the nearby community college, and if the students receive good enough grades in their class, they will be granted college credit in that course which may transfer into the university of their choice after high school. The high school has about approximately 170 students and 17 teachers, some of which double as middle school teachers. The current superintendent, high school principal, and middle school principal is Jim Gendernalik. He took on the role of superintendent to his other duties in 2014 when the previous superintendent Gary Wood transferred to another school. Pamela Blamer is the 6th through 12th grade counselor, Teresa Cole is the elementary principal and Athletic Director, and Jeanette McVeigh is the Administrative Assistant. The Mio AuSable School Board is composed of 7 members who meet on the second Monday of every month in the school auditorium. The members include Penny Irelan, Mary Lou Hunter, David Lashley, Christina Tappan, Rick Ebert, Amy Fullerton, and Lizz Holzwarth. www.miok12.net/

    Restaurants

    Mio consists of 9 quality restaurants. The Mio Saloon, The Paddle Inn, Ellies 12 Table's, The Au Sable River Restaurant, The Mio Pizza Shop, O'Brian's Restaurant and Hotel, Deez Pizzeria, Walkers, and McDonalds. Each restaurant, besides McDonalds, has something it is known for. The Au Sable River Restaurant has a 10lbs burger challenge that is very hard to accomplish. The Mio Pizza Shop is known for a couple things: the pink elephant out in front of the restaurant, and there famous "Dots" which are breadsticks balls cover in butter and garlic sauce. "Dots" are a must try if you ever find yourself hungry in the town of Mio. Deez Pizzeria is famous for their square pizza; they are the only place in town with square pizza. Ellies 12 Table's just opened in February of 2017. McDonalds is the busiest of all the restaurants in Mio. Even though Mio is a small town you don't have to worry about becoming hungry or bad food. www.yellowpages.com › Mio, MI › Restaurants

    Demographics

    As of the census of 2000, there were 2,016 people, 826 households, and 537 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 270.1 per square mile (104.3/km2). There were 1,191 housing units at an average density of 159.6 per square mile (61.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.83% White, 0.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

    Many Mio residents are either Amish, of Amish descent, Mennonite, or of Mennonite descent – with most being non-Anabaptist Christians.

    There were 826 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.

    In the CDP, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

    The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,831, and the median income for a family was $31,379. Males had a median income of $29,542 versus $20,927 for females. The per capita income for the community was $13,064. About 13.9% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

    Local attractions and activities

    The community is centered in the Huron National Forest along the Au Sable River. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:

  • Oscoda County Riverfest
  • Amish community with stores and bakeries
  • Birding
  • Boating, paddling (canoe and kayak)
  • Coptic Orthodox St. Mina Retreat Center
  • Fishing, particularly trout fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Kirtland Warbler Habitat and Festival: The Kirtland's warbler has its habitat in the area. There is a Kirtland's Warbler Festival, which is sponsored in part by Kirtland Community College.
  • Mennonite Relief Expo & Fair
  • Michigan Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail passes through Mio. It runs from Empire to Oscoda, and points north and south. It is a 500-mile interconnected system of trails.
  • Nordic skiing
  • ORV, motor cycle and groomed snowmobile trails
  • Steiner's Museum of pioneer artifacts is in nearby Fairview.
  • Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Shrine

    • Local recurring events

    There are many recurring local events.

  • First Dam Canoe Race (MCRA - Canoe Race)
  • Mennonite relief sale
  • Michigan Magazine Craft Show
  • Mio Mud Bogs & Drags
  • Nor Easter Folk Music Festival
  • Outdoor Sportsmens Expo
  • Oscoda County Fair & Forestry Exposition

    • Historical markers

    There are two historical markers in Mio.

  • Mio Hydroelectric Plant was built in 1916 on the lower Au Sable River. William W. Tefft, a Consumers Power civil and hydraulic engineer, invented and patented the so-called "conduit spillway", which channels excessive flow through channels built into the plant. This was the first plant to use it, and it is cheaper than other forms of spillways.
  • Oscoda County Courthouse was built in 1888. It was destroyed by a fire on May 5, 2016.
  • Union Corners is an abandoned "town" situated on Valley Road in Mio, Michigan. It was abandoned in 1882 when its county government moved to where downtown Mio is now located today. Originally, it was a small farming community. However, the farmers moved from the area because of the poor soil quality. Today, there are very few remnants of Union Corners besides a plaque where the town used to be located and various grave sites throughout the area. Some of these grave sites belong to members of the Union Corners community.
  • Hinchman Acres Resort has been providing a place for families to come for vacation since 1933. Originally the vision of Chapin and Lera Hinchman, Hinchman Acres Resort is a camping ground with access to the AuSable River, with facilities for canoeists, rafters, and kayakers. In 1965 the Hinchmans parted ways with the Hitchman Acres Resort. After purchasing the resort from Ed and Doris Holloway in 1971, Sam & Natalie Giardina have managed the Hitchman Acres Resort for the last 43 years.

    • Media

    The following can be accessed in Mio, Michigan.

    Newspapers

  • The Oscoda County Herald is a weekly publication available on newsstands every Tuesday and by mail on Wednesday. The paper covers news and sports from all of Oscoda County, as well as other nearby communities. It also serves as the paper of record for all municipalities in Oscoda County, and is the only newspaper recognized by the Michigan Press Association that operates inside of Oscoda County. The Oscoda County Herald is owned by Sunrise Printing & Publishing, which also owns the Ogemaw County Herald and the Arenac County Independent.

    • AM

    There are no AM radio stations in range of Mio, Michigan, although WWJ can be heard faintly at night.

    Media spotlight

    For nearly 18 years, Mio was thrust into the local and national media spotlight due to a case involving two Detroit-area hunters who went missing in the fall of 1985. The case was eventually cracked in 2003, when two brothers, both from South Branch, Mi in Iosco County, were convicted of murdering the pair near Mio. Everyone was shocked when they said that they disposed of the bodies by feeding them to pigs. When the two brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole, Tyll's father said, "They took my son. It doesn't bring him back, but it's something." A true account of the crimes was detailed in a 2006 book by Tom Henderson, titled Darker Than Night.

    References

    Mio, Michigan Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA