Flood - March 9, 1908

The flooding that occurred in early March of 1908, was a result of heavy accumulations of snow in February, followed by heavy rains in early March, and warm temperatures resulting in the quick melting of the snow.  The St. Joseph and Coldwater Rivers both reached record flood levels.  On Sunday, March 8th the foundation for the south end of the Broadway Bridge gave way (as see in the forth picture below) and the bridge collapsed into the St. Joseph River.  

The following pictures of the bridge after it collapsed, and the flooding that occurred in the southeast part of Union City.

Picture of the Broadway Bridge taken in 1907 a year before the flood

Looking north from the south side of where the bridge stood

Another picture looking north from the south side of where the bridge stood.  

Comments provided by my brother Marty..... The barn and building next to it was built in 1845 and used as stores.  In later years it was used as a hotel and was called the "Titlow House".  After the hotel closed the barn was used as a livery stable.  In 1915 the buildings were torn down and the Engle and Stanton Ford Garage was in 1920.  In 1922, Carl Bray purchased the business.  The building is now the home of the new Union Township Library.

Picture of a large crowd of spectators on the north side of where the bridge once stood, possibly Sunday after church, since the bridge collapsed on a Sunday?

Picture from the north side looking towards the south side, the Riverside Hotel to the left

Worker installing a temporary swing bridge across the St. Joseph River

Lady walking across the swing bridge towards the Riverside Hotel

Children crossing the swing bridge towards downtown

Looking south towards the Riverside Hotel

Residence surrounded by water

Looks to be a mill race, location not know other than it's in Union City

Flooded homes

Home flooded with the Union City Water Works in the rear of the picture

More flooded homes

Street and homes flooded

More homes and barns flooded

Ariel view look south showing the extent of the flooding

A 1909 picture of the new bridge that replaced the one lost in the 1908 flood

Millrace bridge collapse on June 4, 1908

Comments provided by my brother Marty..... The millrace bridge collapsed on June 4, 1908 due to stress from the March floods when Leo Bigford was crossing the bridge with his threshing machine.

Corbin Block (Cooley's Block) - Revised 20 May 2011

Corbin Block at the corner of Broadway and Ellen Street. The corner building is occupied by the Union City National Bank. On the top of the building is a stone marker noting the building as the "Cooley Block built in 1870". The business to the left of the bank is D. W. Chase, Jeweler and Optician, with the next business identied in the picture as H. G. Fink. (Below are two cropped pictures from this picture.)

Note - Regarding the "Corbin Block" ...(from the publication titled "CHRONICLES OF UNION CITY, MICHIGAN by Dwight E. Youngs, Union City, Mich., D. J. Easton Printer, 1893)" page 15 reads: ....And now it came to pass, that because of the fine brick stores on the east side, and none but old wooden structures on the opposite, that it was decided to erect anew on that side, and that with brick. And the Deacon, called Cooley, did purchase the corner on Broadway where Thomas the Publican had built and kept an inn and which had been added to and Union Hall built over some rooms used for stores. And so it was, that the Deacon caused the entire corner to be cleared off, one part moved to the west end of Ellen street where it was transformed into a dwelling house, while other portions were moved to other parts of town. And then was erected the three-story block on the west side of Broadway, and known as Cooley's Block as long as the Deacon lived, but now called Corbin's Block. And a good deal changed it is from the original. The bank being moved from the center to the northeast corner, and the hall which in its day was the pride of the city, as the Deacon has been lo(sic) these many years deserted, even since the old M. E. church was transformed into an opera house.

Note - Regarding the K. O. T. M. ...(from the publication titled "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City Michigan" edited, compiled, and published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903), EARLY HISTORY OF UNION CITY, reads: ....ST. JOSEPH TENT NO. 93, K. O. T. M. (Knights of the Maccabees) Has the largest membership of any fraternal organization in Union City, there now being one hundred eighty-one members upon the roll. It was organized April 23, 1883, and new members have been added almost weekly. The first officers were: Past Commander, F. C. Rheubottom; Commander, Geo. E. Smith; Lt. Commander, M. F. Buell; Record Keeper, W. H. Bond; Finance Keeper, A. M. Lester. The total amount of insurance carried by members is $202,000, and the following claims have been paid: Disability, $1,400; old age $500; death claims, $7,000. For a number of years St. Joseph Test has been very commodious and comfortable quarters in the third story of the Corbin block, where are lodge rooms, as well as a large hall for public assemblages. The present officers are as follows: Commander G. W. Kent; Lt. Commander, A. C. Krieble; Record Keeper, W. H. Rowe; Finance Keeper, W. E. Rupright; Chaplain, Alva Foster; Physician, Dr. E. H. Hurd; Sergeant, Edwin Chaffie; M. A., Clark Cosier; 1st M. G., H. W. Bradner; and M. G., Bert Ogden; Sentinel, Sanford Engles; Picket, Chas. Whitmore; Trustees, G. W. Kent, W. E. Ruright, M. Vosburgh.

BOUND TO WIN HIVE NO. 431, L. O. T. M. (Ladies of the Maccabees) Was organized in April, 1894, and the membership has steadily grown since that date. The Hive meets in the same rooms as the St. Joseph Tent, K. O. T. M., and it proves a valuable adjunct to that order, particularly in a social way. Informal social meetings of a semi-public nature are held at frequent intervals and several banquets are held each year. Bound To Win Hive now numbers about seventy members and is officered as follows: Past Lady Commander, Mrs. Lola Corwin; Lady Commander, Mrs. Alice Rowe; Lieutenant Lady Commander, Mrs. Ella Warner; Record Keeper, Mrs. Ada Merrifeild; Finance Keeper, Mrs. Dollie Rupright; Chaplain, Mrs. Meda Minto; M. at A., Mrs. Jennie Dubendorf; Sergeant, Mrs. Cora Cosier; Sentinel, Mrs. Retta Martin; Picket, Mrs. Sarah Rheubottom; Physician, Dr. E. H. Hurd.

The business located in the three story building behind the Corbin Block has a sign noting:

C. B. BARTLETT

FURNITURE &

UNDERTAKING

Wall Paper

The building later housed the Amstutz Hatchery that was run by Alvin & Ruby Scherry until it closed in 1972.

Ellen and Broadway - Revised 20 May 2011

The postcard is not postmarked, but estimate the picture was taken between 1910 and 1915. The picture was taken on Broadway looking west on Ellen Street. The Union City Natinal Bank is pictured on the corner of Broadway and Ellen Street.

In the background of the picture above are several buildings. Two of them were were cropped from this picture and are shown below. (As with all the pictures in the "Old Union City Postcards" blog, click on them to enlarge!)

The sign above the three story building reads:  Wm Lyon Furniture and Undertaking  The building later housed the Amstutz Hatchery that was run by Alvin & Ruby Scherry until it closed in 1972.

The church in the picture is that of the Grace Episcopal Church. (The picture on the left is a cropped picture from the top picture and the one on the right is from the publication noted below.)

Note - Regarding the "Grace Episcopal Church" ...(from the publication titled "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City Michigan" edited, compiled, and published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903), EARLY HISTORY OF UNION CITY, reads: ....The religious society was organized Dec. 23, 1864, at the home of Dr. H. F. Ewers, eighteen persons becoming members. In 1865 the present frame structure on Ellen Stree was finished and formally dedicated. The first rector was Rev. George Verner, who came here from Detroit and remained two years. Other rectors have been Rev. S. W. Frisbie and Rev. Charles Hughson. Since late in the eighties no regular services have been held in the church, although the desk is occasionally occupied by Bishop Gillispie, of Grand Rapids.

Corbin Block

The Riverside Hotel

The picture of the Riverside Hotel is the site where the first house trailer manufacturing was done in Union City at Duo Coach.

Comment from my brother Mart - The building was razed in the 1930's.  A new building was constructed.  Gerald Davison began a trailer factory there before a string of others.  It is now Union City Industries.

Broadway & Ellen Streets looking south - 1911

Historic UC Property Sold

Charles "Charlie" Chard, was my father's uncle.  As a child I remember going to his woods northwest of Union City where he collected sap from the maple trees and boiled the sap to make maple syrup.  

Charlie Chard and his sister Mae (Chard) Merrill in front of his home on Hammond Street where the current fire station was built.  Charlie and his siblings and parents are all buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Union City.

Corner of Broadway at East High Street at the Union City Jubilee, September 25, 1908 - #7

The Barbecue ( a series of postcards) in Union City, Michigan celebrating a Jubilee event on September 25, 1908.

Note - The most likely event Union City would have been celebrating on September 25, 1908 would have been surviving the flood that devastated the town on March 8, 1908. The Broadway bridge was washed away, possibly the celebration was that the new bridge had been erected?? The postmarks on the postcards that celebrate the Jubilee are first seen in October of 1908. I am assuming the festival being celebrated on September 25, was in 1908.

Eastside of Broadway, c 1950 - #1

The postcard is looking south at the eastside of Broadway, about 1950. Stores fronts identified and from my memory in the picture are: Atlantic & Pacific, Dancer's Department Store, Swan's Market, Fabiano's Home Made Ice Cream, Leonards, Whiting's Drug Store, and the Strand Theater.

Eastside of Broadway, c 1950 - #2

The postcard is looking north at the eastside of Broadway, about 1950. Stores fronts identified and from my memory in the picture are: Atlantic & Pacific, Dancer's Department Store, Swan's Market, Fabiano's Home Made Ice Cream, Leonards, Whiting's Drug Store, and the Strand Theater.

Oak Grove Park at Union Lake

Union Hotel, c 1909 - #1

The Union Hotel at the corner of East High and Broadway, with a second story porch. Two later postcards show the porch removed. The postmark on this postcard is July 3, 1909.

Union Hotel, c 1913 - #2

The Union Hotel at the corner of East High and Broadway, after the second story porch was removed from the hotel. An earlier postcard with a 1909 postmark shows a second story porch. A third postcard with no postmark shows the porch removed, with a estimated date of the early 1920's. This postcard has a postmark of 13 Feb 1913.

Union Hotel, c 1920 - #3

The Union Hotel at the corner of East High and Broadway, after the second story porch was removed from the hotel. An earlier postcard with a 1909 postmark shows a second story porch. A third postcard with a postmark of 1913 shows the porch removed. Would date this postcard as early 1920's.

Early Postcard of horse and buggies on Broadway

The postcard's picture was taken on Broadway at the intersection of Broadway and East High Street around 1910. Several horse and buggies are hitched up while their passengers are shopping at the Hubbard and Seaver Grocery & Bakery, getting a haircut & shave at the barber shop, visiting the harness shop, or shopping at Miller's Drug and Grocery Company.

Laying Cement on Broadway, c 1914

The postcard notes "Laying Cement U. C.". The postcard was addressed to a Miss Iva Smith in Wauseon, Ohio and postmarked October 13, 1914. Postcard read ...Dear Iva: I am sending you a little news of our new cement paving. .....Lovingly, Aunt B.

North Broadway

Homes on North Broadway across from the Congregational Church.

Rusty Chard's & His Sinclair Truck

Regressing a little from the Union City Postcards ....but wanted to post this picture of my dad and his Sinclair truck, for those that may remember my dad. The picture was take at our home on West High Street. He took over the Sinclair dealership in Union City from Herb Hedricks in the mid 1950's, after working at Merchant's Hardware from about 1940. After retiring from the oil business he returned to work part-time at Merchant's and drove a school bus for the Union City Community Schools. He fully retired in the early 1980's and my folks then moved to Gilead Lake south of Bronson, where they had built a cottage in 1960.

Downtown Union City in the early 1950's

The picture was taken from in front of the Congregational Church looking south towards downtown. Eli Hooker's Standard Station on the left and Howard Berry's Chevrolet on the right. In the background is the Union City Bank.

Downtown Union City in the early 1950's

This is how I remember the Union City that I grew up in, during the 1950's. All of the buildings occupied and thriving ...days before the Meijer Stores and Wal-Marts. Where people bought their groceries, cars, televisions, hardware, cloths, and etc. in Union City.

Whiting & Son Pharmacy - 1911

The picture above is from a postcard with a 1911 postmark. The building is part of the Watkins-Maxon Block that was located at the northeast corner of Broadway and Hammond Street.

Interior of Whiting Pharmacy (from Peerless Union City - 1903)

Note - Regarding the "Whiting & Son Pharmacy" ...(from the publication titled "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City Michigan" edited, compiled, and published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903), EARLY HISTORY OF UNION CITY, reads: ....WHITING & SON'S PHARMACY - Which is located in a com­modious and handsome store in the Watkins-Maxon block, is one of Union City's most attractive trading places, and one to which citizens point with just pride. It has long been termed the finest drug­store in Branch County, an appellation which is certain­ly deserves, for its appoint­ments are perfect. The store was established in 1895, but the proprietors have been known to the public of this vicinity for many years. The senior member of the firm, Geo. K. Whiting, has been engaged in the drug business in this city for thirty-five years, and he is well and favorably known to every man, woman, and child within a radius of many miles. For fifteen years he was manager of the pioneer Ewers drugstore, resigning his position there to embark in business for himself. Mr. Whiting was born in Marshall and came to this city when a boy, this place ever since having been his home. His extended experience in the drug line has given him an in­sight into the business which is appreciated by the trading public, and the confidence thus inspired is a leading cause for the large trade enjoyed here. Mr. Whiting's popularity has led to his being called upon on numerous occasions to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He has been township and village treasurer for a number of terms, village president for three terms, and has also filled numerous offices of minor importance. Fraternally, he is a Mason and a Maccabee. He has also been manager of the Union City Opera House, which is conducted in a highly satisfactory manner. Frank H. Whiting, the junior member of the firm, is a graduate of the pharmaceutical de­partment of the University of Michigan, and has made a care­ful study of the recent notable advancement in his chosen line. He is affiliated with the Masonic and Maccabee fraternities, and is at present filling the office of village treasurer, to which he was elected last spring.

Business Section, Early 1960's

The corner of High Street and Broadway in the early 1960's. Merchant's Hardware located on the left bottom corner was built in the 1950's where the old Union Hotel once stood.

Canrike Home

The postcard notes "Canrike Home Union City". The home is located on North Broadway. A street map for 1909 notes the property belonging to a George Canrike. The home would in later years be the home of Ernest Jenkins, where residence was on the second floor and the ground floor housed the Jenkins Funeral Home. Currently the Putnam Funeral Home is located in this home.

Westside Downtown Broadway - 1911

The picture is looking north at the westside of Broadway, about 1911.  The stores from left to right: Barber Shop, City Meat Market, W. H. Tower Shops, Robinson and Company (Clean Sweep Sale on Clothing), the names on the remainder are not visible.