Sanilac county is located along the West Shore of Lake Huron just above the knuckle in Michigan 's Thumb. Most historians concur that the counties name was selected in honor of a Wyandotte Ind ian chief Nam ed Sanilac.   One interesting feature in Sanilac County at least on the map are the numerous rivers, brooks and streams, but not one natural lake. The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans who etched into sandstone, rock carvings depicting early hunters, symbols and animals. It provides a glimpse into the lives of the people who occupied the Thumb area 300 to 1,000 years ago. These carvings also known as petroglyphs are the only known ancient rock carvings in the state. The county seat is Sandusky and is named after the city in Ohio . Located along the shores of Lake Huron in the northeast corner of Sanilac County is Forestville and was named because it was a heavily timbered area.   The city of Croswell has an interesting feature the "Be Good to your Mother in Law Bridge ", In the summer of 1905, Crosswells mayor raised approximately $300 to erect a footbridge across the black river. The 139-foot suspension bridge is a one of a kind and not long after the bridge was erected, a man by the name of David Wise placed a sign at the eastern approach reading, "Be Good to Your Mother-in-Law." And another at the west end of the bridge, which has since been discarded, that said "Love Ye One Another."   Sanilac County contains around 622,000 acres of farmland that is said to be some of the richest in the Midwest , along with miles of rivers and streams.

Sanilac County Websites and Locations of Interest

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mi/county/sanilac/history_of_sanilac_county.htm - Sanilac History Site

http://www.croswell-library.com/swingingbridge.htm - Swinging Bridge History

http://www.sanilaccounty.net/navmap.asp - History Of Sanilac County

http://www.michigan.gov/textonly/1,2964,7-160-17447_18595_18612-54563--,00.html - About the Sanilac Petroglyphs, Bad Axe