In the mid-19th century Michigan was the name of a small cluster of houses and businesses on the crest of Three Mile Hill at the intersection of the Minisink to Montgomery Turnpike and the Goshen to Bloomingburg Turnpike.

According to legend, a local man named Malcolm McLaughlin found himself in debt and skipped town around 1825. He was away for some time, and when he returned he told everyone he had gone to Michigan. The story makes sense since travel to Michigan was greatly facilitated by the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, but apparently the locals didn’t buy it. McLaughlin later opened a tavern at this place, and his unbelieving neighbors “rather contemptuously” called his establishment Michigan. [1] Soon the name of the tavern was applied to that section of the town.

Although McLaughlin’s later fortunes are not recorded, Michigan’s prime location quickly attracted more businesses. Ulysses F. P. Bliven opened a carriage and blacksmith shop there in 1843. [2] A young blacksmith name T. H. Uptegrove also resided at Michigan around 1845, [3] and by that time the place had taken on the appearance of a small village. [4]   According to a map from 1862, there was also a hotel at the crossroads. [5] The name Michigan was later applied to the school district of that area [6] and by the turn of the century the intersection appeared on maps as Michigan Corner or Michigan Corners.

The name survives on maps of the area to this day although it is rarely used by locals in conversation. The Minisink to Montgomery Turnpike is now New York State Route 211 and the Goshen to Bloomingburg Turnpike is known simply as Goshen Turnpike.

Copyright © 2005 ScotchtownHighlander.com