Bordered on the east by the Saginaw River, the City of Zilwaukee, Michigan is across the river from a small portion of the larger city of Saginaw.
It is otherwise bordered by Kochville, Zilwaukee, Buena Vista, and Carrollton townships. The Zilwaukee Bridge connects Zilwaukee with Zilwaukee Township along I-75/US-23. I-675 passes just outside of the city's northwest corner.
Zilwaukee's northern boundary is Kochville Road, and its western boundary is Venoy Road. Other routes to and from the city include Tittabawassee Road, Schust Road, Sherman Road, and Carrollton Road.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Zeeland include Saginaw, Bay City, Reese, Essexville, Auburn, Frankenmuth, Birch Run, Vassar, St. Charles, Midland, Clio, and Merrill.
Zilwaukee's population at the time of the 2020 census was 1,534. Its peak population was 2,201 in 1980, although the city has declined every census year since.
The first land acquisition in Zilwaukee was by Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, who purchased a large tract of land in the area in 1835. The first permanent European-American settlement, however, was in 1850, when Daniel and Soloman Johnson came to the area, purchasing the land that would become the site of the Village of Zilwaukee.
On this land, the two brothers build a sawmill, a wharf along the Saginaw River, a large warehouse, a boarding house for their employees, and several homes. Harvesting clear cork pine along the nearby Cass River, they made planks that were used along the Indian trail to produce a smoother road to Saginaw City, a few miles away.
Tradition has it that the Johnson brothers named the township and, subsequently, the village and city, Zilwaukee, in order to lure German immigrants to the area, having confused it with Milwaukee.
As its timber resources became depleted, agriculture became the key economy for the area. Later, the Consumers Power Company plant employed a large number of people. Beginning as a transforming station that produced power from the river dams north of Saginaw, the plant later became the largest steam generating plant in the company's statewide system.
A post office was established in Zilwaukee on September 16, 1861, with Albert C. Jones as postmaster. The office closed on June 23, 1852, but was restored from September 1, 1852, to May 14, 1910, when it became a branch of the Saginaw post office.
The Saginaw, Jackson & Lansing Railroad opened a depot in Zilwaukee in 1861, and, when the rail line was fully completed in 1868, it ran through Zilwaukee, from Chicago to Wenona (West Bay City). In the late 1860s, the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad build a short branch line to Zilwaukee from the west end of the Genessee Street Bridge in Saginaw. the two lines, together, provided connections to passenger and freight service to all parts of the country from Zilwaukee. Salt and wood products from Zilwaukee's sawmills could be shipped by rail in all directions.
In 1894, the Interurban Electric Line from Saginaw to Bay City ran through Zilwaukee, providing easy transportation to Saginaw and Bay City. In 1898, the line was sold to the Saginaw Valley Traction Company, but it was discontinued in 1931.
Zilwaukee's water supply system was built in 1941, and consisted of two wells from which water was pumped into a large reservoir tank, from which it was distributed to households and fire hydrants.
The Zilwaukee Bridge is a high-level, segmental concrete bridge crossing the Saginaw River. The current eight-lane bridge was the second at this location, as it replaced a four-lane bascule bridge that had been built in 1960. The bridge is utilized by I-75 and US-23.
The focus of this portion of our web guide is the small city of Zilwaukee, Michigan. Websites representing the municipality, and other governmental entities within the city, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities are suitable for this category.
Recommended Resources
Located along the Saginaw River in Northern Saginaw County, Zilwaukee is on the northern fringe of the Saginaw Metro Region. The official municipal website features a profile and demographics for the city, a brief history, the names of the city council, boards, commissions, and departments, as well as a guide to local facilities, services, schools, and community organizations. Meeting agendas and minutes are provided, along with public notices, and photo galleries.
https://www.zilwaukeemichigan.gov/
Innovative Communications, Inc.
ICI is headquartered in Zilwaukee, Michigan, with an office in Byron Center. Its locations, phone and fax numbers, and an email address for its sales office are provided. The company has been developing and employing A/V systems for more than twenty years, serving businesses, government facilities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and legal systems. Videoconferencing rentals may also be available. Tech support hours and contacts are displayed.
https://www.iciav.com/
Serving students in K-8th grade, Zilwaukee School is a campus of the Saginaw Public School District. Located on West Johnson Street, its location, office phone and fax numbers, email addresses, and a calendar of upcoming events are published on the site, which includes an overview of the school, a parent-student handbook, enrollment information, and online enrollment of new students from existing families with a log-in. Other resources include a faculty and staff directory.
https://www.spsd.net/zilwaukee/
