Michigan’s “Sleepy Hollow” – Sharon Hollow, Washtenaw County

One of my all-time favorite films – ever since I was a kid – was Walt Disney’s animated version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was the Headless Horseman chasing Ichabod Crane through the cemetery woods that gave me the rush. I always thought it would be a gas to visit the actual Sleepy Hollow near Tarrytown, New York (yes, it’s a real place).

The next best thing that’s closer to home is in Washtenaw County. Here you’ll find a secluded glen that resembles the classic Sleepy Hollow.

In 1830, only Native Americans traveled through this area, looking for places to fish and hunt along the Raisin River. By 1833 the township was pretty much invaded & settled by the white man, mostly coming from New York (I wonder if they were from Tarrytown?).

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Originally called ‘Peppergrass’, and after going through township name suggestions, there was only one that made sense: “Sharon”. They chose that name because the other suggested names were amateurish, dark, non-original, and lazy. “Sharon” was picked because it evoked the image of a pretty lady.....plus, it was where some of the settlers originally hailed from: Sharon, Connecticut.

On March 7, 1834, the name was approved by Gov. George Porter. Soon, businesses and establishments sprang up: schoolhouse, sawmill, blacksmith, grist mill, a wildcat bank (quickly shut down), Gillett's Church & cemetery (only the cemetery is left, just south of town), tavern, and grocery/general store.

Henry Ford visited this quiet spot where the only noise to be heard was the hammer of the blacksmith on his anvil.....and it was Ford who restored the village. Thanks to Ford, the mill became a manufacturing plant. Residents at the time felt the spirits & ghosts of Sharon Hollow's original settlers wouldn't be too happy with the direction the mill was taking, making material objects rather than basic staples and necessities.

To this day, this little hollow is compared to the original Sleepy Hollow, with just as many legends and ghost stories. Scroll down and see how Michigan’s ‘Sleepy Hollow’ looks today...