Have You Ever Heard of “Hen Town” or “Poverty Nook” Michigan?

There’s not much to see in Hen Town.
In fact, there’s nothing.
To be exact, Hen Town doesn’t even exist anymore.

This Michigan town that didn’t succeed can be located out in the countryside of Sanilac Township, Sanilac County, at the junction of S. Huron View & E. Washington Rds.

It was intended to grow alongside Twin Hill Creek with poultry as its main industry. It didn’t happen. Aside from the chicken farms, they had the Union School, St. Johns Lutheran Church, and cemetery.

The church now resides 4 miles north in Port Sanilac. The Old St. Mary Cemetery is 3 ½ miles northwest.

There are a few farms in the area, but that’s about it. You’d never know this little junction struggled to be a community back in the late 1800’s.

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Now, on to Hemans.
Hemans was originally called ‘Poverty Nook’, thanks to lines of old shacks that used to line the village limits. Looking to change the name, the town decided on “Hemans”, named after Michigan historian Lawton T. Hemans. The town was created to be a train stop along the Detroit, Bay City & Western Railroad.

Today it’s a decent-sized village, but still referred to as an unincorporated community with no census.

There are one or two places to stop for a bite or a drink, and it’s a good addition if you plan on roadtripping through the Thumb. Hemans is located on M-53 just north of Snover Rd.