Union City in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Titlow House & Parachute Factory
Union City Heritage Water Trail
Photographed By Val Rossman, June 15, 2016
1. Titlow House & Parachute Factory Marker
Union City Heritage Water Trail website entry #14
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
The Titlow House was built on this site in 1845, originally containing a store and meat market before the conversion to a hotel in 1867. In 1915, it was razed to make way for Spoore’s Ford Garage. It was subsequently owned by Engle Stanton, then Bray’s. Schafer Plating was built in 1939 and occupied the lower level for many years. In the 1950s, during the Korean War, Aerial Manufacturing on the upper level employed 150 local women sewing small parachutes to drop warfront supplies. In later years, Hawken’s Furniture was found here. In the late 1980s, Superfund cleanup monies were used to extract chemical contamination from the plating business, and the building was razed. The new library and Heritage Park were dedicated in 2012.
Erected 2016 by Union City Heritage Water Trail. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Michigan - Union City Heritage Water Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 42° 3.941′ N, 85° 8.102′ W. Marker is in Union City, Michigan, in Branch County. Marker can be reached from St. Joseph Street. This marker is on the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Flood of 1908 & Broadway Bridge "Island" (a few steps from this marker); Riverview Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Chivas & Jack's Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); Caille Richards Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Broadway Bridge (about 300 feet away); Riverside Hotel, Duo Coach & UCI (about 300 feet away); First Fire Hall (about 400 feet away); Union City Milling and Mill Race Outlet (about 500 feet 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 15, 2016, by Val Rossman of Union City, Michigan. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 8 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 15, 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?
