Whittaker, Michigan Explained

Official Name:Whittaker, Michigan
Pushpin Map:Michigan#USA
Pushpin Label:Whittaker
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the state of Michigan
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Michigan
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Washtenaw
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Augusta
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation Ft:676
Coordinates:42.1281°N -83.5997°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code(s)
Postal Code:48190
Area Code:734
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:1616401

Whittaker is an unincorporated community in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is located within Augusta Charter Township. As an unincorporated community, Whittaker has no legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own but does have its own post office with the 48190 ZIP Code.

Geography

Whittaker sits at an elevation of 676feet above sea level. The community is located about 25miles southeast of Ann Arbor in the southeastern corner of Washtenaw County.[1] Paint Creek flows near Whittaker, and U.S. Route 23 is approximately four miles (6.4 km) to the west.

Whittaker is served by Lincoln Consolidated School District.[2]

History

The area was originally referred to as Augusta Center, when businessman Frank Whittaker opened a general store near a railway line around 1860 after moving a few miles south from the community of Willis. Augusta Township, which was established much earlier in 1836, built its township hall in the area in 1867. A hotel, several stores, blacksmith shops, and a creamery were soon built in the growing community that was named after Whittaker. In 1880, the community was given a train station on the Wabash Railroad, which allowed for easy export of lumber and other goods directly to Detroit.[3] [4]

The community of Whittaker received its first post office on January 9, 1882 with William Bishop serving as the first postmaster.[5] The post office has continued to remain in operation, and the current post office is located at 11014 Whittaker Road. The post office utilizes the 48190 ZIP Code and serves only a very small area; it is primarily used for post office box services. The surrounding areas are served by Milan 48160 to the west, Ypsilanti 48197 to the north, and Willis 48191 to the east and south.[6]

The single railway line continues to run through the community. It is currently operated by Norfolk Southern Railway but contains no station in the area.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Pure Michigan: Whittaker. 2020. October 5, 2020.
  2. Web site: Michigan Geographic Framework. Washtenaw County School Districts. 15 November 2013. May 12, 2021.
  3. Web site: Milan Area Historical Society. Milan Area Historical Society: Whittaker. 2008. October 9, 2020.
  4. Web site: Charter Township of Augusta. Augusta Charter Township, Michigan. Augusta History. 2020. October 9, 2020.
  5. Book: Walter . Romig . Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities . Great Lakes Books Series . Paperback . 1973 . October 1, 1986 . . 978-0-8143-1838-6 . Detroit, Michigan. 603.
  6. Web site: UnitedStatesZipCodes.org. ZIP Code 48190. 2020. October 9, 2020.
  7. Web site: Michigan Department of Transportation. Michigan Department of Transportation. Michigan's Railroad System: Railroads Operating in Michigan. March 2017. October 3, 2022.