About the Township
Au Train Township, centrally located in Alger County, in the Heart of the Hiawatha National Forest. It begins along the southern shores of Lake Superior, traveling east along State Highway M28, through Christmas and continuing along and south of State Highway M94. Au Train Township is one of the biggest municipal land mass areas in Upper Michigan, covering 158 square miles. It has a population of 1,019, with about 65% being year round residents. This estimate is based on the 2020 Census and Voter Registration files. We have several distinct areas within our Township: The Village of Au Train, The Village of Christmas, Dixon location, Forest Lake/M94, and the 16 Mile Lake Area.
Our current Board serves residents from the Township Hall/Offices located at N7569 Spruce Street, Au Train, MI 49806. Our Township Hall also services as the official voting precinct. We have an active Volunteer Fire Department with three halls located in Au Train, Christmas and the 16 Mile Lake area.
Helpful Resources
Upcoming Events:
- October 24, 2024
- Au Train Township Board Special MeetingAu Train Township Board Special MeetingTime: 6:30 pm
The Au Train Township Board will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, October 24th at 6:30 pm to interview candidates to fill the vacant Zoning Administrator position and review Financial Statements and the 2024-2025 Budget for General, Fire, Garbage, and Road Funds. N7569 Spruce Street
Au Train MI 49806
- Au Train Township Board Special MeetingAu Train Township Board Special MeetingTime: 6:30 pm
- November 5, 2024
- November General ElectionNovember General ElectionTime: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
November 5, 2024 - General Election. The polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Persons requiring assistance to determine their voter status, register to vote, apply to vote absentee and learn early voter hours can contact the Au Train Township Clerk, Mary Walther Johnson at (906)361-2373 or email: marywaltherjohnson@charter.net Additional information can be found at: www.michigan.gov/vote N7569 Spruce Street
Au Train MI 49806 Au Train Township Hall/Community Building
- November General ElectionNovember General ElectionTime: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
- November 11, 2024
- Au Train Township Regular Board MeetingAu Train Township Regular Board MeetingTime: 6:00 pm
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Au Train Township Board. Any persons requiring assistance to attend the meetings in person, should contact the Au Train Township Clerk at 906/892-8265, so that necessary arrangements can be made in advance. N7569 Spruce Street
Au Train MI 49806
- Au Train Township Regular Board MeetingAu Train Township Regular Board MeetingTime: 6:00 pm
News / Notices
*Au Train Township – Employment Opportunity*
The Au Train Township is seeking applications for the Position of Zoning Administrator. This is a part-time self-paced position with a monthly salary to be determined. Must be willing to commit to educational opportunities. The Zoning Administrator plays a significant role in the continued development of our Community.
Submit your letter of interest and resume to our Supervisor no later than November 1, 2024. (Date Extended) Email: michelledoucette@charter.net Or Mail: Au Train Township, Zoning Administrator Position, PO Box 33, Au Train MI 49806 Or Dropoff: N7569 Spruce St, Au Train MI in Clerk/Treasurer Office dropbox.
The Zoning Administrator Job Description can be found at autraintownship.gov > Zoning
Au Train Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Mary Walther Johnson
Au Train Township Clerk
09/30/2024
*November 5th General Election Absentee Voter Ballot Information*
I expect to mail all Permanent Ballot Voters and those who requested a ballot for the November Election only, the 1st week of October. PLEASE NOTE: The post office cannot forward ballots. If you expect to be gone prior to mail date you need to make sure I have a current address on file. You can track your ballot status at www.michigan.gov/vote
For anyone wanting to vote absentee or participate in Early Voting Options – that information is also available at www.michigan.gov/vote
Questions, contact Clerk Johnson at marywaltherjohnson@charter.net or call (906)361-2373
Au Train History
Located on M-28 in Alger County, Au Train was the original county seat for Alger County.
Au Train, a French term meaning “at the shortcut or traverse” was one of the earliest sites visited by white man as they traveled along Lake Superior’s south shore. The river was part of an ancient Indian route between Lakes Superior and Michigan, the region itself known as the Land of Hiawatha.
One of Alger County’s oldest settlements, Au Train was first inhabited by white men in 1856 when William Cameron began hunting and trapping here.
Logging had began along the Au Train River in 1861. The Au Train River and its tributaries were filled with the big logs bound for mills in Lower Michigan, Rock River, Marquette, and later, to Munising. By 1873 the Sault Ste. Marie and Grand Island State Road Extension was completed to the Village.
The population of Au Train had a big increase in 1877 when a number of families moved from Bay Furnace near Munising when that iron-making community was destroyed by fire. They built small shingled cabins and in time, the town consisted of thirty homes, one blacksmith shop, a bay furnace, another sawmill and a government lighthouse.
The Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette Railroad reached the village in 1881. A school was built shortly thereafter, which also served as the social, political and religious center of the community. In 1883 a post office was established.
A high point in Au Train’s history came in 1885 when the northern part of Schoolcraft County was organized as Alger County, with Au Train becoming the county seat. The next year, a town site was platted and a shingle mill was built. A business district typical of a county seat and sawmill town soon developed. There were several stores, two hotels, saloons and the Au Train Alpha–the county’s first newspaper.
Commercial fishing became an important industry and the beautiful Au Train Lake and River attracted a growing number of tourists after advent of the railroad in 1881. After the turn-of-the-century, the Standard Tie Company began extensive logging operations in the area, but by 1919, the last logs were boomed on the Au Train River, ending a colorful era.
In 1902, the county seat was moved to Munising, which was rapidly becoming the county’s industrial and commercial center. During its history, Au Train was an important transit and stopover point for both Indians and white men, a sawmill town, county seat, commercial fishing port and resort center. Tourism and recreation now give the village its livelihood.