Sanilac

Formed September 10, 1822 (8^th county)

Sanilac County (40,619), Sandusky (2,713)                

The red brick Classical Revival courthouse was built in 1915 on Sanilac Street at Austin Street.  Sanilac Street is Michigan State Highway 46 in the town.  J. E. Mills and Son are the architects.  The facility features columns.  The grounds have veteran memorials, a fountain, and a gazebo.  There were 1857 and 1879 courthouses previously.  The current courthouse has been enlarged.  Sanilac County was established on September 10, 1822 from Saint Clair County as the 8^th county.  The county’s name comes from the Native American chief.  The county seat is named for Sandusky, Ohio.  Lexington was the first county seat until 1877 when Sandusky assumed the position. 

Sanilac County government consists of a sheriff, an administrator, an attorney, a treasurer and a clerk (executive).  It has 7 Commissioners (legislative.)  One Circuit Court Judge, Two District Court Judges, Two Probate Court Judges and court clerk serve Sanilac County (judicial.) The county is in the eastern part of the southern peninsula.  Detroit, Michigan is south of the county.  Lake Huron forms its eastern border.  The county center is 6.2 miles East-Southeast of Sandusky nearer Carsonville.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Huron County and Canada and Saint Clair, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties. 

The area of the county is 1590 square miles.  It is 18 out of 83 in the state.  It ranks 40 out of 83 in population in the state.  It has a density of 25.5 persons per square mile making it 53 out of 83 in the state.  Sanilac County has 30.4% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is a rectangle with the southwest corner missing.  Sandusky is located near the center of the county.  Sandusky is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 6.7% of the county population.  The county is pronounced SAN-I-LAK.  The county seat is pronounced SAN-DUS-KEE.

Brown City