Hell, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hell, Michigan
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Looking west along Patterson Lake Road (D-32)
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 Hell, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Hell, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Livingston |
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48169 (Pinckney)
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| Area code(s) | 734 |
| FIPS code | 26-37520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 628065 |
Hell is a small, unique unincorporated community located in Livingston County, Michigan. It's known for its unusual name and is a popular spot for tourists. The community sits along Patterson Lake Road, about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Ann Arbor. It is also about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Pinckney. Mail for Hell, Michigan, is handled by the Pinckney post office, using the 48169 ZIP Code.
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Exploring Hell, Michigan
Hell is part of Putnam Township in Livingston County. It is located about 11 miles (18 km) south of Howell, which is the county seat. The area around Hell is very green and heavily forested.
The main part of Hell, where businesses are, is found along Patterson Lake Road. This road is about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Ann Arbor. Hell is also about 60 miles (97 km) west-northwest of Detroit, a major city in Michigan.
The History of Hell
The community of Hell began to grow around the 1830s. A man named George Reeves moved to the area from New York. He started several important businesses. These included a sawmill for cutting wood and a gristmill for grinding grain. He also opened a general store and a place for people to gather.
In 1841, Reeves bought a sawmill on what is now called Hell Creek. He also bought a large amount of land, about 1,000 acres (400 ha), around the mill. Reeves then built a gristmill on Hell Creek. This mill used water power from a small dam he built across the creek. Farmers in the area grew a lot of wheat, so they had plenty of grain. Reeves used this extra grain in his businesses.
Reeves' general store and gathering place became very popular. He even built a ballroom on the second floor of his building. He also created a racetrack around his millpond. As Reeves got older, he started to slow down his business activities. The gristmill later burned down. George Reeves passed away in 1877.
In 1924, Reeves' family sold the land to a group of investors from Detroit. These investors made the millpond bigger by raising the dam. This created what is now known as Hiland Lake. The area soon became a popular summer spot. People came to swim and fish in the lake. Even Henry Ford thought about building factories there, but he decided not to.
How Hell Got Its Name
Hell is famous for its unusual name, and there are a few stories about how it got it. One story says that in the 1830s, two German travelers got off a stagecoach on a sunny day. One of them said, "So schön hell!" which means "So beautifully bright!" in German. Locals heard this, and the name stuck.
Another idea is that early explorers found the area very challenging. They faced many mosquitos, thick forests, and wet lands. These tough conditions might have made them describe the place as "hell-like."
A third story suggests that when farmers went to George Reeves' place for grain, their wives would say, "He's gone to Hell again." This was because Reeves was known for his lively gathering place.
Finally, a fourth theory says that after Michigan became a state, George Reeves was asked what the town should be called. He supposedly replied, "I don't care. You can name it Hell for all I care." The name became official on October 13, 1841.
Fun Things to Do in Hell
Hell, Michigan, has some interesting traditions and events. Even though it doesn't have its own post office, it has a special postal substation. This substation operates from May 1 to September 30 each year. People who collect stamps and postmarks often ask for cancellations from Hell. The United States Postal Service still uses Pinckney as the official mailing address for the area.
In 1963, the Hell Chamber of Commerce held a "fun festival." It started with a unique arrival: someone dressed as "Satan" came by helicopter to a local housing area called "Satan's Hills."
Sometimes, Hell experiences very cold temperatures, even below zero. This leads to jokes about the saying "when hell freezes over."
Education in Hell
Students living in Hell attend schools within the Pinckney Community Schools district. These schools include Pathfinder Middle School, Farley Hill Elementary, and Navigator Elementary.
