MICHIGAN GHOST TOWN: Cash, in Sanilac County

Here’s another nifty little Michigan town you may have never heard of. It’s not on Michigan maps, or even on Google satellite. But it’s there. And yeah, most people call it a 'ghost town' but there are still a few residents that haven't moved away.

The village of Cash stood in Sanilac County, Watertown Township, at the intersection of Cash Road and E. Applegate Rd on Elk Creek.

It was named after Edward Cash, who founded the community in 1851. He was the first white settler to infiltrate the area’s Native American land. He was also instrumental in the formation of the township of Watertown, as it was organized at his home in 1868.

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A couple of churches were added over 25 years later: a Methodist church began in 1877 and a Baptist church followed in 1878.

In 1882, business man David Fowles constructed two mills: one shingle mill and one saw mill on Elk Creek. That same year, another enterpriser thought the area needed another saw mill and built one. The town began to grow, and in 1883 William Tomelson opened a general store. A post office followed in 1883.

Cash was also home to one of the most popular stores in Michigan’s thumb – they boasted in advertisements about their supply of “good dishes” and “better furniture” which brought customers from all over.

In 1905 the post office closed for good and the town slowly went into submission afterward. The mills and businesses are gone.

These days, the town of Cash does not show up on maps. But if you Google Map it, you can see there is still something there. Why not take a roadtrip over and get some video and pictures? Take a look at some of the Google Map photos below!