Union City Directory - 1909 by Tom F. Robinson

To access the 1909 Union City Directory by Tom F. Robinson, click on Union City Directory - 1909 by Tom F. Robinson

Question for you long time residence of Union City! (Comment added June 6, 2013)

Earl Culyer sent me the email below ....does anyone have any idea regarding the history of the path marked in yellow on the 1880 map of Union City?  The path runs from the river just East of Broadway, then goes from the bottom of the hill on North Broadway on West to the river.  Have looked though all of the material I have on Union City, and find no mention of this. 

If you have ideas, please email me at rchard1960@gmail.com and I will forward to Earl, and re-post this item on the blog with your comments.

Ron Gibson wrote: Ron, I was told by Nick Spencer that the "path" that you refer to is a dried up river bed that includes dead man's hollow.  It ran through this property and behind the Rice's house and onward…, probably a dried up oxbow from centuries ago.  It runs right past the Villa.  Nick said that the old stream bed is still there - he only had to go down two feet to hit water on his back lot property.

Earl Cuyler wrote:  Ron,  I remember seeing an old map of the St Joe river running behind Dar Adams old house and Nick Spencers house.  Through Dead Man's Hollow and down Summit St back to the river. Thanks, Earl Cuyler

Bea Lake wrote:  Hi Ron: I saw your map inquiry from Earl Cuyler, and this is my theory:  The part in yellow, I believe is the natural drain area for the river.  Dad owned the west side of Park St. where the swamp is, and there is a drain pipe across division in the lowest area of  the street.  The drain goes to the south side of Division, and then there is a drain across Charlotte/Summit st area and eventually to the river.  There is also a drain pipe that joins the east and west side of Park St. also. There are natural depressions in the lay of the land, which leads me to believe that water may have flowed there many years before.

While my Dad lived there, Don Waite lived on Charlotte Street (where Mr. Knapp now lives), and he filled in the ditch on his property which backed up to Division St.   His filling that ditch, caused flooding  down to Bennets property on Summit St.  The drain commission, had to order Waite to clear out that ditch because it was declared a "Natural " drainage area and must be kept clear. 

Dad was told he could not do any filling in of the swamp nor could the owners on the east side of Park Street do the same.(by the zoning board).  If you own that property it must remain an area to be a natural drain.  I don't know if the same goes for the area across Broadway or not. 

I will be anxious to see if there are any other theories.  I have another place to check this out, and if I find anything, I will let you know.  

  

I can never tell you enough how much I enjoy your site, and Marty's articles in the paper,  continue the good work. 

Sincerely Bea Lake

If you would like to save a copy of the map below (without the yellow highlighted area), left click on it with your mouse and when the image appears in your browser, right click on your mouse and select save image.  You can do this with any of the pictures you find on the blog.

Union City Village approves purchase of the village's first fire fighting equipment - May 28, 1872

To view other postings regarding the fire department ...click on Fire Department, or click on Fire Station in the Labels Column on the right side of the blog.

Comments from my brother Marty - On May 28, 1872, the village council appropriated $1,500 for the purpose of procuring a hand fire engine.  The following month a hand fire engine was purchased from Messrs, Rumsey & Company, of Seneca Falls, New York.  The early fire engine was able to move water to the fire scene but had no capacity to transport hose or ladders.  The purchase included 500 feet of rubber hose, necessary hose couplings, a ladder truck, and a hose cart which cost an additional $150.  The ladder wagon, (you have a picture of it) built by the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company, carried axes, pike poles, lanterns, buckets and other tools along with the ladders.  The equipment cost $1,489 with an additional $20 for freight.  When the engine arrived in July, it was christened "The St. Joseph." Water for fighting fires was provided from cisterns constructed in various parts of the village.  Of known cisterns, one was located in front of the Union City National Bank (SMB&T) and one was located on Barry Street. With the fire equipment, a fire department became necessary.  On February 4, 1873, a fire company was organized composed of 43 volunteer members. The fire engine was drawn by horses and the ladder wagon and hose cart by men. In 1876, a lot east of Broadway on East High Street was purchased form Mrs. A.P. West, for an engine house.  The two story brick engine house cost $2,450.  The building had a roof top bell tower which was used to call the firemen and notify the citizens of a fire. The hand engine serve very well until the spring of 1883 when a part of the east side of Broadway suffered a fire for a third time. In May, 1886 a new Button steam driven pump type fire engine was purchased.  The new steam fire engine arrived on June 10.  The engine was drawn by a team of horses which were stabled in the engine house. With the addition of a municipal water system in 1892 and expanded in 1894, the steam fire engine became obsolete and no longer saw service.  The fire department sold the steam fire engine to Homer. (Homer still has the fire engine.  I talked to a fireman at a basketball game about taking a picture.  He said I would have to wait several months as it had been sent out to be restored.  They are starting a fire museum.

Hammond Addition to Union City - plotted March 7, 1838

The Hammond Addition to Union City was plotted on March 7, 1838 by Chester Hammond.

The note at the top of the reads: A Map of Hammonds Addition to Union City at the head of the Steamboat Navigation and proposed junction of the Erie Canal and the St Joseph River in Branch County Michigan.

In reading the Chronicles of Union City published in 1893, the founding fathers elected to pursue and betting on the Erie Canal connecting to the St Joseph River rather than railroads.  The connection of the Erie Canal never happened and the railroads elected to run further north and south of Union City.

Eastside of Broadway early 1900"s