The Strangest Road Names in Michigan and How They Got Them
Just a short drive north of Detroit, in the small town of Romeo, you’ll find a road with a name that raises eyebrows: “M-53.” While highway numbers are common, the local nickname for this stretch, “Van Dyke,” tells a story tracing back to early European settlers. Named after the Van Dyke family who farmed the area in the 19th century, this road evolved from a muddy trail into the bustling corridor connecting Detroit with Michigan’s Thumb region. Taking a leisurely drive here, especially in autumn when the surrounding orchards near Van Dyke Road turn fiery red and gold, offers a scenic glimpse into Michigan’s agricultural roots and how family names have left their imprint on the map.
Further west, near the city of Grand Rapids, lies the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a place known for its art and horticulture rather than weird street names. Yet the surrounding roads, such as East Beltline Avenue, originated from an early 20th-century plan to create a “belt” around the city, designed to ease traffic and facilitate urban growth. While not strange on the surface, the story of East Beltline Avenue reflects how infrastructure and naming conventions evolved alongside Grand Rapids’ flourishing furniture industry. Visiting the gardens on a spring morning reveals how nature and design coexist beautifully, making the road’s history more than just a name but part of a living cultural landscape.
Head up to the Upper Peninsula near Marquette, and you’ll encounter a road named “Deadman’s Curve” along the Lakeshore Boulevard. This stretch, hugging the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior about 10 miles west of the city center, earned its ominous name from the treacherous winter conditions that challenged drivers in the early 1900s. Adventurers can hike the nearby Presque Isle Park’s Summit Trail, a moderate 1.5-mile loop offering panoramic views of the lake and Marquette’s harbor. The haunting name of Deadman’s Curve becomes a tangible tale when you stand on the bluffs, feeling the lake winds that once made this road infamous. The best time to experience this is late summer when the weather is calm, letting you appreciate the area’s natural beauty without the danger that gave the road its name.
In Ann Arbor, about 45 minutes west of Detroit, you can stroll through the Nichols Arboretum, known locally as “The Arb.” Nearby runs Geddes Avenue, named after Joseph Geddes, a prominent figure in Ann Arbor’s early development. What makes Geddes Avenue intriguing isn’t the name itself but its connection to the arboretum’s design—Geddes was an early advocate of green spaces in urban planning. The arboretum’s Peony Garden, featuring over 200 varieties, flourishes in late spring and early summer, embodying the legacy of a man whose name graces the nearby roadway. Walking under the canopy here, you can reflect on how place names intertwine with the environmental stewardship that shaped the city.
Heading west toward Kalamazoo, you encounter the intriguingly named “Brahmin Street.” About 3 miles from downtown Kalamazoo, this street’s title hints at the early settlers’ aspirations towards refinement, borrowing the term “Brahmin” to signify a social elite. Nearby, the Kalamazoo Nature Center offers a more grounded connection to place with its trails and habitats. The Elmwood Trail, an easy 2.5-mile loop, meanders through forests and wetlands, inviting visitors to witness local flora and fauna. The juxtaposition of a grandiose street name against the natural simplicity of the nature center nearby offers a small but telling narrative about how communities in Michigan balanced ambition with environment. Autumn is prime here, when the leaves blaze and the air crisps.
In the northern reaches of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, about 30 miles east of Traverse City, lies the small town of Interlochen. Famous for the Interlochen State Park, the oldest in Michigan, the park is surrounded by roads with names like “Duck Lake Road,” referencing the adjacent lake that teems with waterfowl. Duck Lake Road itself winds through dense forests and leads to the park’s sandy beaches on Green Lake. The park offers activities ranging from hiking the 3.5-mile Green Lake Loop Trail to swimming and camping in summer. The road’s straightforward name belies its importance as a gateway to a cherished natural refuge. Early summer mornings here are magical, with mist rising off the lake and birdsong filling the air.
Down in the Detroit area, the neighborhood of Corktown features a street called “Twelfth Street.” This might seem mundane until you learn of its dramatic 1967 history when Twelfth Street became synonymous with the Detroit Riot, a pivotal event in the city’s civil rights movement. Today, the nearby Detroit Historical Museum offers exhibits that narrate this troubled chapter through artifacts and stories. Walking through Corktown’s vibrant streets, with their mix of historic buildings and new eateries, you come face-to-face with how a seemingly ordinary street name can carry the weight of profound social transformation. Visiting in late spring or early fall, when the neighborhood hosts festivals, adds a layer of celebration to the reflection.
East of Lansing, in the small town of Eagle, you’ll find “Neck Road,” which sounds peculiar to out-of-towners but has a simple origin. The road snakes between two marshy areas, creating a narrow “neck” of land—a geographical feature that early settlers used to describe their surroundings. Visiting the nearby Fenner Nature Center, just a short drive away, lets you explore wetlands, woodlands, and prairies on well-maintained trails. The Neck Road area is especially lovely in the early fall when migrating birds stop over, making it a birdwatcher’s delight. The connection between the road’s name and the land’s natural contours provides a quiet, tangible story of place.
Near the southern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the village of New Buffalo, about 70 miles from Chicago, hosts the delightfully named “Shoreland Drive.” This road runs along Lake Michigan and offers stunning views of the water, sand dunes, and the harbor. Shoreland Drive’s name is as literal as it gets, but the uniqueness comes from the way it carves through the lakeshore, linking beaches, marinas, and parks. Walking or biking this route in summer lets visitors enjoy the breeze and watch sailboats drift by while savoring the small-town charm. The name reflects the deep bond between the community and the lake that defines it.
Traveling back to the Upper Peninsula near Houghton, the “Quincy Mine Hoist Association” grounds sit along Quincy Hill Road, a route named for the nearby historic copper mine. About five miles from Houghton’s city center, the mine once was the world’s most productive copper mine in the late 19th century. Today, visitors can tour the Quincy Mine itself, seeing the massive hoist