As with the names of a number of Michigan Counties The name of Emmet County originally was named after an Ottawa chief named Tonedagana in 1840,   but the name was changed a couple of years later to honor Irish Patriot Robert Emmet who was hung at the age of 23 for being a traitor to the British Government. Emmet County is located at the tip of the mitt bordering the sunset coast of Lake Michigan , majors highways are US31 and US131.   Historical artifacts excavated in the area indicate Indians inhabited the area up to 4000 years ago.   Emmet's location on the great lakes waterways was excellent for fishermen, fur trappers and traders and was also strategic leading to blood shed between French, British, Indians, and what would become the United States of America .   With occupation of Fort Michilimackinac the whole upper great lakes territory could be controlled, but will leave those history lessons for another time. Up until 1875 the area remained mostly wilderness and was inhabited by numerous Indian villages that had the right to occupy the land under a treaty with the U.S. Government.   The county seat is Petoskey and yes the stones can be found there as with anywhere in the state. The stone is actually a fossil and in 1965 Michigan became the first state in the nation to select a fossil as its state stone. The name Petoskey is said to be the English adaptation of the name given to the son of a French Fur Trader who later became an Ottawa Indian Chief, he did this by marrying an Ottawa Indian Princess. Legend has it while camping on the banks of the Kalamazoo River, Chief Neatooshing's son was born, As the sun rose, the rays fell on the face of the new baby and the Chief announced, "His name shall be Petosegay or Bedosegay, there are many variations to the legend but ultimately the word means "rising sun," "rays of dawn," or "sunbeams of promise". The stone was named the Petoskey Stone probably because it was sold in the area as a souvenir.   A county that is not only very rich in history Emmet makes a very respectful addition to Outdoor Michigan.

Emmet County Websites and Locations of Interest

http://www.infomi.com/county/emmet/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmet_County%2C_Michigan