Visiting the Michigan Village of Algansee is Like Going Back in Time
In Branch County, within the Algansee Township, is the village of Algansee. This is one of the smallest, but coolest, little secluded villages in lower Michigan.
Algansee was first settled in 1836 in Branch County. The first settlers wanted to call the town "Canton" but Henry Schoolcraft supposedly came up with the weird name "Algansee", obviously a syllabic combination of separate words. But to this day, nobody can conclusively figure out what Schoolcraft took them from, or what it means, but the popular consensus is that it means "sea". For some other reason altogether, the town is still sometimes referred to as "Egypt".
The village took off in 1836 once a sawmill was built. If you drive through the town, you wouldn't know it once had many thriving businesses: The Algansee Telephone Company, Barber shop, Baseball Team, Blacksmiths (2), Cider Mill, Dance Hall, Grist Mill, Grocery stores (2), Post Office, Sawmill, Seven-piece band, Standard Service Station, Town Hall, and United Brethren Church.
The post office began operating in 1845 and lasted until 1905.
When the Algansee Telephone Company closed down, it left the residents without phone service until the late 1950s.
There was a "meals-on-wheels" business, titled "Store At Your Door" which began as a horse-drawn venture in 1904. It delivered food and supplies to residents as well as to those in neighboring townships. It was called "Egypt On Wheels" by the townsfolk.
Nestled near Amish country, the general store still stands, retaining that old country charm with many original furnishings. The old original church also stands, formerly dilapidated and worn, now renovated - and a few other old buildings that are worth seeking out.
Algansee is a true Michigan rarity, as not many people from Mid or Northern Michigan have never heard of it. Check out some very cool photos by scrolling down to the gallery...