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May 19, 2015 · What’s in a name anyway? Most of us live in cities or towns that have names we don’t give a second thought to. But some Michigan communities are known for their unusual names. Here are some that we think are truly unique.
Nov 8, 2023 · Kalamazoo | Celery City. Marquette | Queen City of the North. Mesick | Mushroom Capital of the World. Newberry | Moose Capital of Michigan. Onaway | Sturgeon Capital of Michigan. Pellston | Icebox of the Nation. Pinconning | Cheese Capital of Michigan. Rogers City | Salmon Capital of Michigan. Sault Ste. Marie | Michigan's Oldest City.
- Mid-Michigan Cities
- Upper Peninsula Cities
- West Michigan Cities
- Southeastern Michigan
- Northern Michigan Cities
Bad Axe
Located in the thumb, Bad Axe is a small town of about 3000 people. The name “Bad Axe” stems from Captain Rudolph Papst and George Willis Pack. In 1861, they were surveying the first state road and made camp in what is now the city of Bad Axe. They discovered an abandoned hunter’s cabin to stay in. Inside of it, they found a badly damaged and well-worn axe. The name of “Bad Axe” ended up sticking, and it became official by the time the Civil War was over.
Zilwaukee
If at first glance Zilwaukee looks and sounds like Milwaukee, there’s a good reason for it. Its remiscient name stems from a scheme by two brothers named Daniel and Solomon Johnson. In 1848, they settled in an area along the Saginaw River and consequently built a sawmill. They then realized, obviously, that they needed people to run the mill. Recalling a large German population in Milwaukee, they named their new settlement “Zilwaukee.” They hoped to confuse new German immigrants into thinking...
Christmas
Originally a swamp area, Julius Thorson bought the land now known as Christmas in 1938. On this land, he built a factory that produced holiday gifts. Unfortunately, only two years later in June of 1940, a fire destroyed the factory. However, Christmas today is a quaint town that is “a ‘must’ for your Upper Peninsula travels”.
Germfask
A curious one indeed, Germfask derives its name from the names of its eight founding settlers from 1881. The names of these founders are John Grant, Matthew Edge, George Robinson, Thaddeus Mead, Dr. W. W. French, Ezekiel Ackley, Pscar Shepard, and Hezekiah Knaggs. Today, the town has a modest population of fewer than 1000 people and is situated off of M-77 in the Upper Peninsula.
Colon
As a grammar enthusiast, Colon is perhaps my favorite city name on this list. Its name comes from Lorensie Schellhouse, one of the founders of the city. Upon opening a dictionary, he saw the word “colon.” That is how the town’s name was decided. Today, Colon is a six square-mile township with a population of about 1000. Interestingly, Colon is popular as “The Magic Capital of the World.” More than 30 magicians have graves in the town, and there are a large variety of magic festivals and magic...
Royal Oak
Though not the most interesting name on this list, Royal Oak’s origin has perhaps one of the best stories behind it. In History of Oakland Countypublished by Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & co., they tell how Governor Lewis Cass camped under a large oak tree in 1818. As he camped, he remembered the story of the oak tree that Prince Charles of Scotland hid inside while being sought out after his defeat in a bloody battle entitled “Culloden.” After hiding in this tree, it forever became “Royal Oak...
Topinabee
If you’re not a history nerd, you might not know what, or rather, who the name “Topinabee” stands for. Topinabee is named after what many would call amongst one of the most famous Pottawattomi chiefs. The name itself translates to “He Who Sits Quietly.” In brief, Chief Topinabee signed a lot of important treaties and was quite a significant warrior. It is on Mullet Lake, one of the largest inland lakes in Michigan. Topinabee is now a community that is “currently a center for boating, swimming...
- Sarah Raza
- Breaking News Intern
- Bad Axe. Population: 2,930. Est: 1905. Story: The town is named after a worn and damaged axe that was found at the future site when settlers Rudolph Papst and George Willis Pack were surveying the area.
- Canton. Population: 98,659. Est: 1834. Story: Canton was created by the Michigan Territorial Legislature using the southern portion of Plymouth Township. The city was named in honor of the Chinese city Guangzhou, which is also known as Canton.
- Chesaning. Population: 2,356. Est: 1847. Story: The name is a Chippewa word meaning “big rock place.” The first recorded mention of Chesaning was in the 1819 Saginaw Treaty between the Chippewa people, the Saginaw tribe and the U.S. government.
- Christmas. Population: 400. Est: 1938. Story: In 1938, Julius Thorson — from Munising, just 5 miles west — built a roadside factory called Christmas Industries along what is now M-28 to make holiday gifts.
- Social, Search And Audience Editor
- Mackinac. Let's get the obvious one out of the way. Most everyone knows the C is silent and you pronounce this like the way the name Mackinaw City looks: "Mack-in-awe."
- Sault Ste. Marie. The first word of this notable Upper Peninsula town trips many people up. It's "Sue Saint Marie." (Listen)
- Ontonagon. This Upper Peninsula county, which features the Porcupine Mountains, is pronounced "On-ton-ogg-on." (Listen)
- Charlotte. No, it's not pronounced like in the children's book or the North Carolina city. It's "char-LOT." (Listen)
Aug 28, 2023 · Find the answer—and more—in this list of Michigan’s most unusual city names. MICHIGAN—Whether it’s the “ree” in Lake Orion, the “lot” in Charlotte, or the “my” in Milan, Michigan’s geographic names can certainly get unexpected with pronunciation.
Nov 17, 2023 · The Michigan city chosen as having the strangest name was Hell, MI. Which we have to admit is pretty strange having to tell people you live in 'Hell'. The F W says 'Hell isn't a popular place. Less than 300 people call Hell, Michigan home according to the latest census information.'
