County note shelf
Branch County Porch Notes
Stories, practical details, outdoor places, tax quirks, and local history connected to Branch County. This shelf has 4 practical notes and 14 local stories.
18 notes
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- History and culture Bronson, the Gladiola Capital Commercial gladiolus growing took hold around Bronson in the 1930s, earning the western Branch County town its 'Gladiola Capital' nickname.
- Outdoors Coldwater Lake State Park, the quiet one An undeveloped 400-acre state park on Coldwater Lake's south shore in Kinderhook Township, kept rustic for walk-in hunting and fishing.
- History and culture Coldwater's State Public School for children Michigan opened a pioneering state home for orphaned and dependent children in Coldwater in 1874, built on a cottage system other states later copied.
- History and culture How Quincy got its name The village of Quincy was named for Quincy, Massachusetts, at a settler's suggestion; its post office opened in December 1836.
- History and culture The Branch County bell that was saved twice Coldwater's 1887 courthouse bell and clock survived a 1972 arson fire and were rebuilt into a freestanding tower, dedicated in 1988.
- History and culture The Little River Railroad steam train A volunteer nonprofit runs a 1911 Baldwin steam locomotive on excursion trips from Coldwater to Quincy, with the engine turned by hand at the layover.
- Outdoors The Sauk River and the chain of lakes The Sauk River drains Branch County's Coldwater chain of lakes from Marble Lake's outflow, eventually feeding the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan.
- History and culture The Wing House Museum in Coldwater An 1875 Second Empire mansion on Coldwater's Marshall Street, kept by one family for three generations and now the county historical society's museum.
- History and culture Union City's early iron furnace An 1847 furnace at Union City produced what was reportedly the first iron smelted from Michigan ore, then pivoted to making plows when bog iron proved too poor.
- History and culture Who Branch County is named for Branch County was laid out in 1829 and named for John Branch of North Carolina, Andrew Jackson's secretary of the navy, who never set foot in Michigan.
- History and culture Coldwater and the old Chicago Road Coldwater grew up on the old Chicago Road, with a historic downtown and the restored Tibbits Opera House.
- History and culture The Capri Drive-In The Capri Drive-In west of Coldwater is a Magocs-family theater, a National Register landmark, and a southern Michigan summer tradition.
- History and culture Amish country Branch County has several Amish settlements, including conservative Swiss Amish communities in its farm townships.
- Home and property Buying on (or near) a Branch County lake? Branch County lake homes can come with legal lake levels, lake special assessments, lake associations, and lake-specific boating rules.
- Home and property Outside town, you're probably on a well and septic Most Branch County township homes use private wells and septic systems, and the county does not require a sale-time inspection.
- History and culture Coldwater's chain of lakes and an 1882 opera house Branch County pairs a seven-lake chain south of Coldwater with the Tibbits Opera House — one of Michigan's oldest theaters, still putting on shows.
- Money and taxes Buying in a township? Watch for special assessments on top of your taxes Michigan township buyers should check for special assessments that can add separate road, sewer, water, lighting, sidewalk, or drain charges.
- Money and taxes In Michigan, you get two property-tax bills a year — not one Most Michigan property owners get separate summer and winter tax bills, with local rules deciding what lands on each bill.