Sure, you may have heard of the Wyoming near Grand Rapids, but did you know there were two other ‘Wyomings in Michigan?
1) The Wyoming you probably know is in Kent County, six miles south of Grand Rapids. The village of Wyoming (named after the township) was formed as far back as 1859, Eighty-nine years later (1948), it was turned into a city, became incorporated in 1958, and received its official post office in 1960.
2) The second Wyoming might come as a surprise to Jackson residents – there was a Wyoming in Jackson County, halfway between Jackson and Rives Junction. In 1839 a post office began operating, making the Jackson County Wyoming “official”. When the post office closed in 1852, any future growth was thwarted. Now it’s simply a neighborhood in the countryside. To find it, take Clinton Road to Springfield Drive. Turn north and it will take you right to a small cluster of houses that was – once upon a time – the Jackson County village of Wyoming.
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3) The third – and possibly the most interesting – Wyoming is in Keweenaw County, way up in the Keweenaw peninsula not far from Copper Harbor. This Wyoming was platted in 1862, named after the Wyoming mine and stamping mill. For a time it was named ‘Hilltown’ after Samuel Hill, one of the area’s top mining men. The town had a good number of saloons, which meant many, many fights and drunken brawls among the miners. So much so, that the town was given the nickname ‘Helltown’. To find what is left of this former town, head up US-41 in the Keweenaw Peninsula, turn right on Lac La Belle Road, then turn right on the second road you encounter…