Built in 1970, in just 14 hours, Bronson's City Hall is made of reinforced fiberglass plastic. The building won the State of Michigan Product of the Year award, presented by the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce.
Bronson sold its old City Hall . . . — — Map (db m159710) HM
In honor of the men from the Bronson High School who made the Supreme
Sacrifice in the Great
1917 - World War - 1919
Claude William Alderman
Edwin Riley Bennett
Charles Morris Cockle
Presented by the class of 1920
This . . . — — Map (db m165468) WM
The Bronson library originated in the early 1880s as the Ladies Library Association. In 1888 the township assumed ownership. Built with funds donated by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie, the Classical Revival Bronson Public Library opened on May 23, . . . — — Map (db m64550) HM
In tribute to all those courageous men and
women who have served and are now serving
their country that our freedom should not
be forever lost and to those who made the
supreme sacrifice. This memorial is sincerely
and humbly dedicated. — — Map (db m165470) WM
Bronson was named after Jabez B. Bronson, who was
the first settler to the area, moving here from Ohio
in 1828. He became the first postmaster in 1830,
calling it Bronson's Prairie. It was Incorporated as a
village in 1866. The name was . . . — — Map (db m165471) HM
He married Frances Elizabeth Dahn of Sturgis in 1935. They lived in Coldwater and had one daughter, Diane.
During the War Years of WWII Mr. Davison supported the war effort by hosting War Bond dinners. One article
reports that he was responsible . . . — — Map (db m165467) HM
One of the great routes for the pioneers coming west was the Chicago Road. The survey of the road began at Detroit in 1825 and followed closely the Sauk Trail which Indians had marked and traveled for centuries before the coming of the white man. . . . — — Map (db m64549) HM
This tree was planted
in 1921
by the Woman's Club
of Bronson in honor of
those from our town
who served our country
in the World War.
Re Planted
Nov. 1997 — — Map (db m165411) WM
Is designed for Coldwater and all of Branch County to
fulfill a threefold purpose: to honor, to commemorate
and to serve as a lasting tribute for all those who served
in war, who were killed in action, who died from their
battle wounds or . . . — — Map (db m165452) WM
Allen Tibbets an itinerant Methodist minister
who preached the gospel for 15 years came to this
prairie in 1830 and purchased 80 acres in section 22
with the help of Joseph Hatchett who owned the adjoining
land in 1831 he plotted a village which . . . — — Map (db m165462) HM
The plat for the Village of Branch was signed the 16th day of March 1832 in Detroit by Sol. Sibley a Supreme Court judge for the Territory of Michigan. The proprietors Elisha Warren, De Gormo Jones, and Ebenezer S. Sibley also signed. . . . — — Map (db m66771) HM
(Obverse Side)
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, . . . — — Map (db m66759) HM
A tribute to the men of Branch County who in the spirit of loyalty served their country in the World War and in loving memory of those inscribed below who made the supreme sacrifice.
Adams, George R. • Alderman, Claude W. • Berger, Harold • . . . — — Map (db m66692) WM
Memorial
To honor those valiant men and women of World War II who gave their lives for God and Country
Paul Keller • Richard Symons • Donald Perry • Rollin Johnson • Marion Nutt • Donald Russell • Sidney Palmateer • Harold Van Patten • . . . — — Map (db m66769) WM
The Michigan National Guard Armory was dedicated in 1917 and was the major information and gathering facility for Branch County's Military, Company A-32.
These guns, known as the Maxim-Nordenfeldt Automatics, are anti-aircraft weapons, and they . . . — — Map (db m66694) WM
(Front Panel)
To the memory
of the
soldier dead
Erected by Butterworth
Woman's Relief Corps No. 31
and the Citizens of
Coldwater
Dec 1906
(Right Side Panel)
To the memory
of the
soldiers of the . . . — — Map (db m66718) WM
Organized in 1837, the same year that Coldwater became a village, the local Presbyterian society held services in various quarters until 1844 when it erected its first church. It completed the present Romanesque Revival-style brick church in 1869 at . . . — — Map (db m122218) HM
Born at Rochester, Michigan, June 23, 1840
Died at San Jose, California, December 28, 1912
Civil War 1861-1863
Private Duryees Zouaves, 5th N.Y. Inf.
Michigan National Guard
Enlisted 1876
Commissioned Capt. Co. A, 2nd Regt. . . . — — Map (db m66691) HM WM
On this site lived Cyrus Gray Luce, twenty-seventh Governor of Michigan. Born in Ohio in 1824, he moved to Branch County about 1849. He soon became involved in township, local and state politics, serving on the Board of Agriculture, in the . . . — — Map (db m66760) HM
H.C. Lewis Art Gallery
Businessman Henry Clay Lewis and his wife, Alma, built the original part of this structure in 1869 to house their extensive art collection and make it available to the public. The Italianate building complimented the . . . — — Map (db m103503) HM
(Front Side)
According to a long-standing Quimby family tradition, early aviatrix Harriet Quimby was born in the Coldwater area on May 1, 1875, to Ursula (Cook) and William Quimby. She spent her childhood in Arcadia, Michigan, and Arroyo . . . — — Map (db m67528) HM
The CHS Interact Club began a community service project in 2019 to commission a downtown mural for Coldwater. The club members chose the design made by Abby Licht, a 2018 CHS graduate and former Interact Club member. We have had tremendous support . . . — — Map (db m198604) HM
Leroy J. Dove
Army Pfc E-3
1930 - Est 7/27/50
Robert G. Burch
Army Pfc E-3
1931 - 9/14/50
Raymond Rogers
Army Sgt E-7
1929 - Est 12/15/50
Marion M. Eck
Army Sgt E-5
1923 - 9/1/50
William W. Rose
USAF A1C. E-3
1930 - 11/14/50 . . . — — Map (db m165456) WM
This is one of the six ten pounder Parrott guns sent to Loomis Battery by General McClellan at Rich Mountain, West Virginia, to replace the old six pounder brass gun originally supplied the battery, and was in service in West Virginia from July 1st . . . — — Map (db m66690) HM
The first formal step toward the founding of a state library association was taken by Mary A. Eddy, of the Coldwater Free Public Library, in a letter to Henry M. Utley of the Detroit Public Library on January 13, 1891. They had discussed this matter . . . — — Map (db m66717) HM
Hero of the Civil War, a beautiful, powerfully built draft horse, was the only survivor of the two hundred horses assigned to the Loomis battery of Michigan, after having been engaged in many battles and skirmishes.
Old Sam was wounded several . . . — — Map (db m66693) HM
The gardens in the library park have been donated by the family of Richard L. Bettinger in honor of donors who contributed $500 or more to the renovation of the Naomi Davis Home, Branch County's shelterhouse. Individuals and organizations who made . . . — — Map (db m104982) HM
The bald eagle was chosen as the emblem of the United States of America
when the Great Seal of the United States was adopted on June 20, 1782.
To the nation's founders, the eagle represented freedom as well as
supreme power and authority.
. . . — — Map (db m198603) HM
State Public School at Coldwater
In 1871 the Michigan legislature authorized the building of a special state public school to furnish temporary support and instruction for dependent and neglected children between the ages of four and . . . — — Map (db m68976) HM
Potawatomie Indians ceded Coldwater Prairie to the United States in 1827. The Indians called it “Chuck-sew-ya-bish,” meaning “cold spring water.” Coldwater is located at the junction of Old Sauk and Fort Wayne Indian trails. . . . — — Map (db m65858) HM
This glass preserves a section of original mortar which included hand-painted white stripes, a once-fashionable technique called penciling. — — Map (db m198608) HM
Branch County's showplace for the performing arts since 1882. Tibbits Opera House served as the Performing Arts Center between Chicago and Detroit until 1920. The renovated opera house continues to serve the cultural needs of the community.
. . . — — Map (db m198605) HM
To Commemorate
the memory of
The Pioneers
and
First Surveyors
who by perilous efforts
over the Indian trail
made possible
the magnificent highway — — Map (db m165472) HM
This impressive Second Empire style home with mansard roof was constructed in 1875 for Jay M. Chandler (1850-1884) and his young bride Frances. On this site from 1847-1871 had stood the Parrish flouring mill. Jay, the fourth son of locally prominent . . . — — Map (db m66761) HM
George P. Adams Army Ssg E-6 1897 - 10/23/1918
Edwin R. Bennett Army Pfc E-3 1889 - 10/11/1918
Joe W. Bohacz Army Cpl E-4 1897 - 8/1/1918
Charles R. Burr Army Cpl E-4 1898 - 5/28/1919
Roy B. Cass Navy Pos E-4 1895 - 10/15/1918
Charles M . . . — — Map (db m165459) WM
George I. Scriber
Army Private E-2
1913 - 4/16/45
Albert F. McClughen
Army Private E-2
1925 - 1/1/45
Roy L. Matheson
Navy Seaman E-3
1921 - 10/24/44
John E. Seiler
Army Private E-2
1921 - 11/26/44
Charles E. Swihart
Navy P03 . . . — — Map (db m165458) WM
In memoriam to
George W. Parker
1872 ---- 1930
Organizer of
The Michigan Association of Cemetery
Superintendents and Officials
On this site August 20, 1922 it's
formation was started — — Map (db m220287) HM
Methodists held the first religious services in Girard Township. Organized in 1832 by the Reverend Ezekiel Gavit, a circuit rider, the congregation met in homes and a school until a church was built in 1844. When that structure burned in 1887 it was . . . — — Map (db m165218) HM
To the memory of our soldier dead.
Erected by C.O. Loomis Post No. 2 G.A.R. and the citizens of Quincy, Michigan. 1884.
Bentonville, N.C. • Knoxville, Tenn. • South Mountain, Va. • Wise Forks. N.C. • Irwinville, Ga.
Union.
Roster of the . . . — — Map (db m165416) WM
These were Enrolled In Their Country's Defence
Capt. C. A. Edmonds -
C. Barnes -
S. S. Leland -
C. C. Ball -
T. B. Parks -
C. M. Wheeler -
P. Cocran -
W. Curtis -
J. Culver -
H. Mallison -
H. A. King -
A. M. Miller -
C. A. . . . — — Map (db m165418) WM
(Front Side)
In 1906 Quincy businessman Charles W. Bennett and steel entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie both offered to build a library in Quincy Township. Carnegie required that the township provide the land and name the building after him. . . . — — Map (db m66774) HM
George Ackerman, as a UCHS student, noted this spot on the river as a possible location for a dam. He went on to become a civil engineer. Around 1919, rising coal costs forced the village to turn toward hydro and they sought out . . . — — Map (db m95654) HM
In 1923, when the Riley Dam was built in the St. Joe to create hydro for the village, the 500+ acre backwater was known only as the “Municipal Pond.” There had not been enough time to clear the swampy land before damming, so trees were cut flush . . . — — Map (db m95243) HM
At this point the Coldwater and St. Joe Rivers join, creating their namesake “Union” City. In the late 1820s a road surveying party following the Washtenaw Indian Trail that later became M-60 stumbled upon this junction and returned giving a . . . — — Map (db m95217) HM
In June 1925, 178 members of the Alumni Association gave donations of $970.19 to purchase Davis Field for construction of a track, baseball diamond, tennis courts and football field. In 1926, the land was donated to the school, and on June 14, . . . — — Map (db m95226) HM
The Blue Star Veteran’s Park Memorial up and to the left was once the site of one of Union City’s most important industries. Established in 1901, Caille Richards Co. was part of a large international company with headquarters in Detroit and . . . — — Map (db m95219) HM
Union City’s infamous “Carp Rodeo” festival, a fundraiser for lake improvements, had several reincarnations around the area. The earliest ones were believed to have been held on Haughly Drive in the 1960s. In the 1980s, you could find the part in . . . — — Map (db m195160) HM
In August of 1966, Arnold “Jack” and Rosemary Shaffer
purchased from Mae and Blanche Miller & Ray Chivas Chivas Grocery, which had stood on this corner for more than 30 years with a barbershop on the 2nd floor. Whitlock Shoes occupied the . . . — — Map (db m95228) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m95164) HM
Union City's own “Daniel Boone,” Austin “Skinny” Bullock (1908-77), moved into this, his beloved Elkhorn Lodge, on the first day of
summer in 1952. He was a colorful
local legend who loved to hunt, trap and fish, earning his living by . . . — — Map (db m95241) HM
On March 7, 1837, the Reverend Calvin Clark of Homer led sixteen people in organizing the First Congregational Church of Union City. The congregation is likely the oldest of this denomination in the state. This Romanesque Revival building dates from . . . — — Map (db m65805) HM
In 1872, the Village Council made an appropriation of $1500 to purchase the first fire fighting equipment, a hand fire engine hose cart and 500 ft. of hose. The engine was christened “The St. Joseph” and a 43 member volunteer department was . . . — — Map (db m95218) HM
1926 UCHS graduate and creative
entrepreneur, Gerald Davison (1908-75) was the founder of Duo Coach Trailer (Marker #12). Upon selling that enterprise, he designed and built many unique Frank Lloyd Wright style homes in Union City and on Sycamore . . . — — Map (db m95240) HM
In the 1800s, Union City was the head to 170 miles of busy commerce on the St. Joe. Large freight barges poled by 8 men as well as steamers carried grain, pork, whiskey, flour, hides, furs, pig iron and
other goods manufactured along its banks . . . — — Map (db m95227) HM
Long before European settlement and Union City, the St. Joe was known by Native Americans as the River of the Miamis. It was an important resource for water, game, fish and transportation. The origin of the St. Joe is found in the lake in Hillsdale . . . — — Map (db m95242) HM
Thanks to late 1800s area artist J.P. Palmer, many local river scenes were preserved in watercolor and oil. Moving here at age 10 from New York, he went on to study at Albion College and the Chicago Art Institute. His paintings were in great demand . . . — — Map (db m95653) HM
There was a trestle here for a narrow gauge railway from Turtle Lake, 2 miles to the north, to the cement factory in the SE corner of town for transporting marl. The railway crossed both the St. Joe and Coldwater Rivers. Peerless Portland Cement . . . — — Map (db m95167) HM
Early surveying parties sent out
on the Washtenaw trail, which
became M-60, took back glowing accounts of the potential for
water power at the junction of the two rivers and this quick stretch named the Coldwater Rapids.
The first race was . . . — — Map (db m95207) HM
Built in the early 1870s near the depot on Railroad St., the Riverside Hotel was first known as the Johnson House. It was moved to this location by teams of horses and oxen while rolling on logs. The two long verandas were then added. Before its . . . — — Map (db m95221) HM
Organized in 1923, The Women’s
Tuesday Club was committed to “the
promotion of
literary, scientific, social and civic
pursuits . . .” In 1957, under the leadership of Lillian Schwendener, they began realizing a dream of a family-type park. . . . — — Map (db m95166) HM
The Arbogast Bridge is considered the east end of Union Lake. The wetlands surrounding the bridge are significant habitat to many types of birds and waterfowl. Keep your eye peeled for swans, sandhill cranes, loons, cormorants, heron, egrets, . . . — — Map (db m95400) HM
The first Broadway Bridge was constructed of wood in 1835. It was replaced with a steel structure in 1876. One of the largest bridges in Branch Co., it was washed out in the flood of 1908. Many locals who had been observing the floodwaters below . . . — — Map (db m95220) HM
On March 4,1908, heavy rains on top of 24" of snow followed by a thaw caused the rivers to spill over 4" above their highest known levels, submerging large sections of the village. The Broadway Bridge collapsed into the swollen river and was swept . . . — — Map (db m95156) HM
Late in the seventeenth century, early French voyageurs made use of the entire length of the St. Joe in their push westward. The French built forts on the river at St. Joseph (1679) and Niles (1691) as strongholds for the fur trade. A memoir to the . . . — — Map (db m95224) HM
The Park Street Bridge was the second bridge built in Union City and originally wooden. The first steel span was erected in 1905. It was removed and replaced in 1974 with a new bridge at the cost of $141,000. The new bridge was renamed the Spencer . . . — — Map (db m95225) HM
In 1833 just behind this home a livery was first
deeded to feed and stable local horses. In 1913 it was known as Bell Livery Stable. In 1937, Mr. Densmore converted the livery to The St. Joe Tavern after moving the bar business from the Riverside . . . — — Map (db m95397) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m95206) HM
(West Side)
To the Memory of
Our Fallen Heroes
1861 - 1865
Erected May 30th, 1884
(South Side)
Franklin
Pitssburg Landing (sic)
Nashville
(East Side)
Atlanta
Mission Ridge
Vicksburg
. . . — — Map (db m65840) WM
The Union City Creamery was established in July 1901 as a
co-operative enterprise between fifty local farmers and a handful of businessmen on capitol stock of $10,000. In 1902, the model plant managed by Mrs. C. B. Spoor averaged milk
receipts . . . — — Map (db m95401) HM
Welcome to the J.P. Palmer Launch and starting point for the Union City Heritage Water Trail. Created and unveiled as part of the 2016 Sesquicentennial, the trail extends from this point on the Coldwater River west into the St. Joe River and ends 5 . . . — — Map (db m195159) HM
On March 17, 1847, the Union City Iron Company was incorporated with leading citizens of the town as stockholders. The company was formed to produce iron from the bog and kidney iron ore deposits in Union and neighboring townships. A furnace was . . . — — Map (db m65808) HM
(Side One)
During 1836-37, cabinetmaker David Hull led the organization of the township's first religious society. Circuit-riding ministers held services for Union City's fledgling Methodist congregation on alternate Sundays. The group . . . — — Map (db m65806) HM
The small backwater to the left represents the exit of the millrace that was dug diagonally from the Coldwater River and powered saw and grist mills from the first settler in 1834 to 1949 when the 111 year old Randall Mill (below) caught fire. Six . . . — — Map (db m95223) HM
