MICHIGAN LOST COMMUNITY: Hatch’s Crossing, Leelanau County

The little unassuming area once known as ‘Hatch’s Crossing’ is in Elmwood Township, Leelanau County.

It never became a village, even though the original settlers may have hoped otherwise. In 1894, the Manistee & Northwestern Railroad came through the area on its way to Traverse City. A station was built at the crossing, and the area was called ‘Hatch’s Crossing’ after the resident Hatch family, who owned a good piece of farmland.

In 1925, the station agent / telegrapher was retired and that was it for Hatch’s Crossing. No stores, no post office, but there was a schoolhouse along the river.

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Hatch’s Crossing doesn’t seem to show up on maps, as it’s not even an unincorporated community…it’s more like an area that received a nickname in order to identify the railroad station.

Is it worth a drive-thru?

Maybe.

It’s peaceful, it’s pretty, it’s serene, it’s somewhat historical.

So why not?

According to Google, Hatch’s Crossing is located at the junction of S. Melichar Dr. & E. Fouch Rd.