Zilwaukee, Michigan

48604

Zilwaukee is located in northeastern Saginaw County. It is best known for the "Zilwaukee Bridge," the high span of concrete crossing the Saginaw River on I-75, completed approximately ten years ago to eliminate the need for a drawbridge. The village itself is located on the west side of the river, adjacent to the Crow Island State Game area on the east side. This city has its own local government and school system, and is primarily a residential community, considered a functional suburb of the greater Saginaw metro area.

Zilwaukee was begun in 1848 when brothers Daniel and Solomon Johnson from New York built a saw mill here. Officially organized 10 years later, the Johnsons gave the name to the town purposely to cause people to confuse it with the city of Milwaukee, in hopes of luring immigrants here to work.