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All the United States Michigan Hell Hell, Michigan

Hell, Michigan

Hell on Earth is actually a small town in Michigan where anyone can be mayor for a day.

Hell, Michigan

Added By
Ryan Iseppi
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Hell, Michgan   Julie Falk on Flickr
Hell, Michigan   Micah Maziar on Flickr
Hell, Michigan   Micah Maziar on Flickr
  calysa14 / Atlas Obscura User
  calysa14 / Atlas Obscura User
  Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Get married in Hell!   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Hell store   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  BE / Atlas Obscura User
Creamatory   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Greetings from Hell   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Hell Saloon   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Screamers  
Hell, Michigan   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  BE / Atlas Obscura User
  BE / Atlas Obscura User
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Located near the college town of Ann Arbor in southeast Michigan, Hell is a fairly average township with an odd name, a name it has held since 1841.

There are a number of theories as to how the town received its name. The most likely (but least fun) explanation is that it came from a pair of visiting Germans who described the town as "so schön hell," ("so beautifully bright") in the 1830's. Other theories concern town founder George Reeves, who, when asked for an opinion on naming the new town, supposedly replied "I don't know, you can name it Hell for all I care." Another theory states that Reeves, who owned a general store and grist mill, was known to pay farmhands in whiskey, prompting their wives complain that their husbands had "gone to Hell again," when they failed to turn up for supper. Finally, some believe that the town was simply named for the swampy, mosquito-ridden conditions that early settlers in the area first encountered prior to the town's founding.

At any rate, locals have enthusiastically embraced the name, playing up every opportunity to turn both municipal and commercial signage and advertising into a pun connoisseur's dream come true. Visit during winter to see "Hell freeze over," or you may have the chance to jocularly tell someone to "go to Hell" in the course of giving directions. There isn't much to see in Hell outside of the many jokey signs, but certain spots such as the downtown general store offer kitschy and unusual gifts and knickknacks bearing the town's name.  In addition, for the price of $100, a visitor can become the "Mayor of Hell" for one day, receiving a key to the city and the opportunity to be ignominiously impeached at the end of the day.  See the town's official website for details.

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Small Worlds And Model Towns

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Added By

DoctorMoog42

Edited By

EricGrundhauser, kennethkiwicz, amygoan, Jason Michael Walker...

  • EricGrundhauser
  • kennethkiwicz
  • amygoan
  • Jason Michael Walker
  • BE
  • calysa14

Published

July 24, 2014

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Sources
  • http://www.michigan.org/city/hell/
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2535709/Its-cold-HELL-frozen-Michigan-town-falls-victim-record-cold-temperatures.html
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g668687-d2355824-Reviews-Scream_s_Ice_Cream-Hell_Michigan.html
Hell, Michigan
Hell, Michigan, 48169
United States
42.434722, -83.985
Visit Website

Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Michigan

Michigan

United States

Places 268
Stories 28

Nearby Places

Food Gatherers' Giant Carrots

Ann Arbor, Michigan

miles away

Kerrytown Chime

Ann Arbor, Michigan

miles away

Argus Museum

Ann Arbor, Michigan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Michigan

Michigan

United States

Places 268
Stories 28

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