Hillman was founded in 1880 at the very eastern edge of Montmorency County. It became a village in 1891 and was platted in 1882. [MPN] It was initially called Brush Creek. [Wiki]
Hillman was the county seat of Montmorency County from 1881 until 1893. [LITF]
Image Info: Top, a photo of a D&M passenger train at Hillman. [CMUL] 2nd photo, the D&M depot at Hillman. According to markings on the photo this was a picnic being held at the depot. August, 1910. [Alan Loftis collection]
Hillman suffered several serious fires in the early years, the most destructive occurring in 1908 in the surrounding forests.
Hillman was on a branch line of the Detroit & Mackinac railroad from Alpena which reached the village in 1909. This was technically the end of the branch line but maps suggest that temporary forest lines extended west from here. The Hillman branch was pulled back to Emerson in 1929, eliminating rail service to the Village after only 20 years of service.
1888. July. Mr. Potts of the Potts railroad called at Au Sable last week. Potts is negotiating with eastern parties for about 72 million feet of standing pine on the Oqeueoc river in Presque Isle county, and if he closes he will continue his road through here [Hillman] to that vicinity during the present season and if not he will build the road at any rate to this place for a small bonus. We will hear back from him in a few days when we will know more about the matter. There is no doubt whatever from Mr. Potts' conversation but what we can have his road with connection at Beaver Lake before snow flies. Hillman Telegraph. [AAN-1888-0711]
1896. Herman Besser of Hillman has lumbered 9,000,000 feet of pine and 100,000 pieces of cedar. He is now lumbering hemlock and maple. [SCH-1896-0702]
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
