Coldwater in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Branch County
⎯⎯⎯
Branch County Courthouse Site
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
1. Branch County Marker
Branch County
Branch County, named for John Branch, President Andrew Jackson's secretary of the navy, was one of thirteen counties established by the Michigan Territorial Legislature in 1829. The village of Branch, located three miles southwest of Coldwater, was the original county seat, but in 1842 county commissioners decreed that the seat be moved to Coldwater. In 1848 a courthouse was erected on this site. The Chicago Road (now US-12) and the coming of the Michigan Southern Railroad in 1850 attracted settlers. During the 1850s and 1860s, Coldwater was a horse training and breeding center. Local breeders provided three thousand horses to the Union army during the Civil War. In the 1870s and 1880s, the manufacture of cigars contributed to Coldwater's prosperity. In 1882, some 13.4 million cigars were manufactured in Coldwater.
Reverse
Branch County Courthouse Site
Coldwater's first county courthouse was erected on this site in 1848. Forty years later local architect M.H. Parker designed the second courthouse, a High Victorian building. The stately corner tower--visible for miles--housed a 3,500-pound bell manufactured by the C.H. Meneely Company of Troy, New York, and a clock manufactured by the Howard Company of Boston. In 1972 the building was destroyed by arson, but the bell
this page online
Erected 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1642C.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1988.
Location. 41° 56.374′ N, 85° 0.052′ W. Marker is in Coldwater, Michigan, in Branch County. It is at the intersection of Division Street and East Pearl Street, on the right when traveling north on Division Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Division Street, Coldwater MI 49036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Coldwater War Memorial (about 300 feet away); Michigan Library Association (about 300 feet away); The City of Coldwater, 1861-1961 (about 400 feet away); Branch County World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); Old Sam
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
2. Branch County Courthouse Site Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Richard L. Bettinger Memorial Gardens (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 17, 2013
3. Branch County Clock Tower
The marker is to the left of the clock tower.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017
4. Branch County / Branch County Courthouse Site Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,007 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on June 13, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
