Best Web Design in Augusta Charter Township, MI (2026)

Web Design for Augusta Charter Township, Michigan

Augusta Charter Township is a rural community in the southeastern corner of Washtenaw County where roughly 60% of the land is still farmed, a reminder of the area's agricultural roots. It grew up around the crossroads hamlets of Willis, Whittaker, Stony Creek, and Paint Creek, which once supported lumber mills, creameries, and rail depots. Established in 1836 and named for a founder's hometown in New York, it is now largely a bedroom community for Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Milan.

AppWT serves Augusta Charter Township and the surrounding Michigan area from Livonia, Michigan.

About Augusta Charter Township

Also known as. Augusta Center (the township's original 1836 name).

History. Founded in 1836 when Judson Durkee petitioned to split land from Ypsilanti Township; originally called Augusta Center after Durkee's former home in Augusta, New York. Early population was about 559 residents. Aaron Childs hosted the first township meeting at his home, where the first township board was established. Paint Creek, known to Native Americans as Wejinigan-sibi, had the area's first post office around 1832; postmaster David Hardy was known for carrying the mail in his hat. Eaton Mills began in the 1850s as a lumber settlement originally called Conova Corners; local white-oak planks from its mills paved part of the Detroit-to-Ypsilanti plank road. Stony Creek traces to first settler Andrew Muir, with the community founded by James Miller in 1829. The village of Willis formed after the Detroit-to-St. Louis railroad was completed in 1881; Willis Potter donated land near the new depot, and the name Willis was officially adopted in 1889 (its post office was formally named Newcomb). Whittaker was named for Frank Whittaker's store; the township hall was completed in 1867. In 1887 P.T. Lambkin established a broom-handle factory and sawmill, and local charcoal kilns turned farm lumber into fuel for Detroit blacksmith forges.

Local economy. Agriculture remains the identity, with roughly 60% of the township still used for farming. Historically driven by lumber milling, creameries, a broom-handle factory, charcoal kilns, and railroad freight. The Willis Creamery once processed about 50,000 pounds of milk and 4,000 pounds of cottage cheese per day. Today it functions largely as a rural bedroom community for the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Milan areas.

Culture and community. A dispersed rural township defined by its historic crossroads settlements rather than a single downtown. Willis retains its own identity and post office (ZIP 48191), about 13 miles southeast of Ann Arbor.

What makes Augusta Charter Township distinct. The township is named after Augusta, New York, the founder's former home, not any Michigan place. Early postmaster David Hardy reportedly delivered the mail out of his hat to residents he met along the way. The village everyone calls Willis had a post office officially named Newcomb, after Mary Potter's maiden name.

Augusta Charter Township Landmarks and Local Life

• Augusta Township Hall - completed in 1867 in the Whittaker/Augusta Center area
• The historic crossroads communities of Willis - Whittaker, Stony Creek, and Paint Creek