Four miles west of Wayland and four miles south of Dorr lies Hilliards, Michigan. In 1868, a colony of Polish farmers settled here in considerable numbers. Already in 1876, these hard-working folks had formed the St. Stanilaus Society. Its purpose was to meet the benevolent, social, and religious needs of the community. The building they erected served as a church on Sunday, where they met for liturgical services, and also as a school during the week. It was the oldest Polish parochial institution in the Western Michigan area.
The town has seen its share of changes through the years. Just to your west lies the old railway bed. On the main Road, a depot, sawmill, hotel, general store, and creamery made the town of Hilliards a very busy place! In 1919, the Hilliards Merchants baseball team organized and competed against teams from Grand Rapids, Byron Center, Wayland, Dorr, and Miner Lake.
By 1963, though, the people of Hilliards received word that their town would be erased from the map. The name would disappear along with several others in Michigan whose population was dwindling. However, the State Highway Department map planners made a late decision to keep the name on the map when they were confronted with a petition bearing 75 signatures, all from people living in the immediate Hilliards area. At that time, St. Stanislaus Church was located three blocks north of the village's main street. They sponsored an annual Labor Day dinner that drew some 8000 people from as far away as Traverse City and Detroit. There were 650 St. Stanislaus members in the area and a parish school with an enrollment of 136 students.
People that grew up here and stayed to raise their families recall the town with fondness. They remember when the train stopped here. Two lakeshore runs were added to the summer schedule and during the harvest season. One resident remembered when many in the area grew potatoes and one could see boxcar after boxcar filled to the hilt with their loads. Another resident remembers the busy sawmill as well as hotel, livery stable, two grocery stores, creamery, and several other stores.
You will see none of that today, however. The businesses are long gone. What you will find is a quiet farming community with its pleasant views and friendly people.
Many thanks for the staff at Then & Now Historical and Genealogical Society of Eastern Allegan County for their help with the history of Hilliards.