About this episode

This episode explores the history and development of Hillman, Michigan, from its early days to its evolution as a railroad stop and resort community.

Hillman, Michigan , began as Brush Creek, a small settlement shaped by timber, water, farm trade and the Thunder Bay River. In this episode of Michigan Moments, we follow Hillman from its early days as a Montmorency County center to its years as a railroad stop, hotel town, farm market and Lake Avalon resort community. The story includes State Street, Louis Davidson’s Department Store, the Winona Hotel, the Hillman depot, local elevators, Cronk’s service station, early automobiles, hunting clubs and the cottage culture that grew around Brush Lake, later known as Lake Avalon. One of Hillman’s most surprising turns came when the Detroit & Mackinac Railway reached the village after the old pine boom had already faded in much of the region. The train gave Hillman a boost, but the town’s future came from something broader: farms, stores, roads, lake visitors and a main street that kept coming back after fire and change. This episode is for listeners interested in Hillman history, Montmorency County, Northern Lower Michigan, vintage Michigan towns, logging-era communities, small-town railroads and early Michigan resort life. The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of…

Topics covered

• Hillman history
• Montmorency County
• Northern Lower Michigan
• vintage Michigan towns
• logging-era communities
• small-town railroads
• early Michigan resort life

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Detroit & Mackinac Railway, Louis Davidson’s Department Store, Winona Hotel, Cronk’s service station

Places: Hillman, Michigan, Montmorency County, Thunder Bay River, Lake Avalon, Brush Lake, State Street

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