As an unincorporated community, McMillan has no legally defined boundaries or population statistics of its own but does have its own post office with the 49853 ZIP Code.

[2][3] The community of McMillan was first settled in 1881 when the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway built a line through the area.

[4][5] The station and the new community were named after railway executive and future Michigan senator James McMillan.

The post office has continuously remained in operation and is currently located at 22579 M-28 in the center of the community.

In 1910, the community reached a peak population of around 300 and consisted of several general stores, hotels, saloons, sawmill, livery, and the Northern Cooperage & Lumber Company.

In 1932, the building was rebranded as the Lincoln School, although budget restraints still caused some students to go to Newberry.

The building was purchased and turned into a bottling company that filtered water from the nearby Tahquamenon River, although the original structure now remains vacant.

The community of McMillan is located within southeast Columbus Township in the state's Upper Peninsula about 10 miles (16.1 km) west of the village of Newberry.