Carp Lake Township

[NOTE: This is not the only community in Michigan named Carp Lake. See also in Emmet County.]

This township lies in the western part of the county, and was formed mainly out of the original and disorganized Pewabic. It was organized about 1850, and comprises over six congressional townships. In 1860, it had a population of 336; in 1870, of 825; in 1880, it had a total population of 825, a school population of 369 and a voting population of 150. As of 1883, there were still no villages within its limits, save a mining hamlet or more.

The original Pewabic Township covered the territory now embraced within Carp Lake, and retained its organization until 1865, when it was disorganized, as before noted. There appears to be no record at hand of its first and subsequent elections. Also, part of its territory is embraced in the present township of Rockland.

The history of Carp Lake Township is interwoven with the story of copper ever since the first interest in copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula in the early 1800s.  The great White Pine copper mine shut down amidst a great deal of environmental controversy, putting thousands out of work. 

As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 891.

Source: Western Historical Company. History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Chicago: The Western Historical Company, 1883.