Willis, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willis, Michigan
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Looking west along Willis Road
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 Willis, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Willis, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Washtenaw |
| Township | Augusta |
| Established | 1887 |
| Elevation | 686 ft (209 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48191
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| Area code(s) | 734 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1616527 |
Willis is a small community located in Washtenaw County, in the state of Michigan, USA. It is not a city with its own government. Instead, it is an unincorporated community. This means it's part of a larger area called Augusta Charter Township. Even without its own city limits, Willis has its own post office and a special ZIP code, which is 48191.
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Where is Willis Located?
Willis sits about 686 feet (209 meters) above sea level. It is found in the southeastern part of Washtenaw County. The community is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) southeast of a larger city called Ann Arbor. You can find Willis centered along Willis Road. It stretches between Potterville Drive to the east and Bunton Road to the west. Another small community, Whittaker, is just a few miles southwest of Willis.
Schools in Willis
Students living in Willis attend schools that are part of the Lincoln Consolidated School District.
The History of Willis
The area where Willis is today first got a post office in 1833. Back then, it was known as Paint Creek. The community of Willis itself started a bit later. It was first called Potter, named after an early settler named Willis L. Potter.
How Willis Grew
Willis began to grow because a new railway line was built in 1880. This line belonged to the Grand Trunk Railway. The Paint Creek post office changed its name to Newcomb on September 27, 1881. Finally, on December 15, 1887, it was officially named Willis. The post office was renamed to honor Willis L. Potter's first name.
Railroad and Post Office Today
A single railway line still runs through Willis. It used to have a train station called Willis Station. Today, the Norfolk Southern Railway operates this line, but there is no longer a station in Willis. The Willis post office is still open and serves the community. It is located at 8790 Bunton Road. The 48191 ZIP Code for Willis covers most of the eastern part of Augusta Charter Township. It also includes a small part of London Township to the south, which is in Monroe County.
Famous People from Willis
- Iggy Katona, a well-known racecar driver, used to live in Willis.
