In the spring of 1839 a surveying party, contracted by the state of Michigan, reported that the land of this area was worthless.

This further discouraged development until the 1860s when the Crawford family settled into a quiet cove of Lake Huron, south of present-day Rogers City.

Rogers, an Army officer, organized a surveying party to Presque Isle, with Albert Molitor as supervisor.

One of the darker aspects of the county's history involved the Bradley Transportation Company when one of their cargo ships, the Carl D. Bradley sank on Lake Michigan during a windstorm in November 1958 with the loss of 33 lives, 28 of whom resided in Presque Isle County (23 were from Rogers City, three were from Onaway and two were from Posen or Metz Township).

[5][note 1] Today the world's largest limestone processing plant is in Rogers City, which is also a major Great Lakes Port.

By land By water At the 2000 United States census,[12] of 2000, there were 14,411 people, 6,155 households, and 4,203 families residing in the county.

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services.

The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances.

In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance etc.

as of June 2021 There are ten recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[14] The following television stations broadcast in Presque Isle County: The following radio stations can be heard in Rogers City NOAA Weather Radio can be heard on 162.550 MHz (Call Sign KIG83, Alpena) There is one county-owned airport in Presque Isle County, providing access to general aviation: The nearest commercial airline airports are Alpena County Regional Airport near Alpena,[17] and Cherry Capital Airport[18] near (Traverse City).