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.
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]
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]