Union City in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Coldwater River & Bridge
Union City Heritage Water Trail
Photographed By Val Rossman, June 12, 2016
1. Coldwater River & Bridge Marker
Union City Heritage Water Trail website entry #4
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Click for more information.
The first wooden bridge was built across the Coldwater River in 1843 with a steel bridge erected about 1895. The current bridge was constructed in the late 1950s. The Coldwater River starts from Coldwater Lake and meanders northwest 29.5 miles before emptying into the St. Joe River just ahead. Slaves followed the Coldwater River to Union City as part of The Underground Railroad. In the 1850s, John D. Zimmerman , a local blacksmith, was the self-appointed station-master on what became the 2nd station on The Underground Railroad.
Erected 2016 by Union City Heritage Water Trail. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan - Union City Heritage Water Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.
Location. 42° 3.907′ N, 85° 7.705′ W. Marker is in Union City, Michigan, in Branch County. Marker can be reached from Coldwater Road, on the left when traveling west. This marker is a few yards south of the bridge on Coldwater Rd on the east side of the Village of Union City. It is on the west river bank of the Coldwater
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union City Creamery (within shouting distance of this marker); Narrow Gauge Railway to the Cement Factory (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Union" of the Rivers (about 700 feet away); Union City Iron Furnace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Randall Dam & Start of Millrace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union City Heritage Water Trail (Trailhead Sign) (approx. 0.2 miles away); J.P. Palmer Launch and & Railroad Trestle (approx. ¼ mile away); The St. Joe Tavern & The Bucket (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union City.
More about this marker. There are 28 of these markers comprising the Union City Heritage Water Trail on the Coldwater River and the St. Joseph River launched in 2016 for the village's Sesquicentennial. These markers can be viewed by paddling the 5 mile stretch of river from the JP Palmer Launch in the Village of Union City to the Riley Dam on the SW Corner of Union Lake. Most of these markers CANNOT by accessed by foot as they are on private property along the river. Please do not trespass. More details can be found at www.uchwt.com
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2016, by Val Rossman of Union City, Michigan. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 12, 2016, by Val Rossman of Union City, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. View of marker in context • Can you help?
