Situated mostly in northern Branch County, a portion of Union City, Michigan extends into southern Calhoun County, in the central-southern Lower Peninsula.
The village is situated at the junction of the Coldwater and St. Joseph rivers. Union Lake is southwest of Union City.
The portion of the village that is in Branch County is in Union Township, while a portion of the village extends into Burlington Township in Calhoun County.
Union City is accessed largely through M-60 (Mendon Road), which runs through a portion of the northern part of the village. Other routes include 7 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road, Adolph Road, Arbogast Road, Dunks Road, Tuttle Road, and Union City Road. Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Union City include Burlington, Sherwood, Athens, Tekonsha, Colon, Coldwater, Bronson, Mendon, Homer, Battle Creek, Marshall, Burr Oak, Climax, Quincy, Springfield, and Vicksburg, while the unincorporated community of Hodunk is just over six miles away.
As in most municipalities, the most predominant land use classification in Union City is residential, with single-family residential being the most common. Its traditional residential area of the village is in the downtown commercial district, and oriented on a modified grid pattern, while newer housing is mostly in the northwestern portion of the village.
There are a few multiple-family developments in Union City, together taking up only about two percent of the village's land area. Currently, there are no manufactured housing or mobile home parks in Union City, although there are scattered individual mobile home units throughout the village.
There are two primary commercial areas in the village, accounting for just under five percent of the total land area. One is the traditional downtown central business district along Broadway Street, and the other is north of downtown along M-60 and North Broadway Street. Union City hosts a 79.77-acre industrial park on the northwest portion of the village, near M-60 and Arborgast Road, and other industrial and agricultural facilities can be found in the southern part of the village. Although the surrounding area includes considerable agricultural land, much of the agricultural land within the village itself has been converted to residential and industrial uses.
The municipality operates Riverview Community Park, Heritage Cultural Park, Veteran Memorial Park, and a kayak launch site along the St. Joseph River, while the state maintains a public boat launch facility on the northeast shore of Union Lake, just outside the village limits.
Police protection is provided by the Union City Police Department, which operates out of the same building as the fire department. The Branch County Sheriff's Department, Calhoun County Sheriff's Department, and the Michigan State Police also patrol the area and provide assistance, as needed. The Union City Fire Department is a joint venture between the Village of Union City and Union Township, and includes both paid and volunteer personnel.
First appearing on a census roll in 1880, Union City has maintained a population above 1,000 and below 2,000, with periods of decline and periods of increase.
The area that included the current village of Union City was first surveyed by Robert Clark in 1826, and Isaiah W. Bennett made the first land purchase, from the government, in 1831. He sold 600 acres of land to Justus Goodwin in 1833. He built a mill, and became the community's first postmaster when a post office was established on November 9, 1834. The post office was originally named Goodwinville.
Mr. Goodwin sold 322 acres of his land to E.W. Morgan, who arranged to have the village platted and recorded as Union City in 1835, and the post office took that name on January 23, 1840. Union City was incorporated as a village in 1866. It is believed that both the township and village were named for the area in which the two rivers unite.
Union City became the site of Station Number 2 of the Underground Railroad, as slaves seeking refuge from slavery were taken to a home owned by John D. Zimmerman, who owned a blacksmith shop, a wagon factory, and a home in Union City. Today, his former home is listed on the state registry of historic sites. Another Union City home that served the Underground Railroad is the Meteor Ridge Farm, formerly known as The Plantation.
The focus of this portion of our web guide is the Village of Union City, Michigan. Online resources representing the municipality, any other governmental entities within the village, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
First Congregational Church UCC
Organized in 1837, the Union City, Michigan congregation is currently affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Its history, a statement of beliefs, and schedules for its men's fellowship program, prayer ministries, Vacation Bible School, choir, and game night ministries are outlined, and its service schedules are posted on the site, along with its boards, missions, and other programs. Also included are sermon audio, videos, and other archives. The address, map, and contacts are included.
https://www.firstcongunioncity.org/
Old Union City Michigan Photos
Genealogy TidBits presents a gallery of photographs and postcards depicting historic streets, buildings, people, and scenes of the Village of Union City, Michigan. Description of the postcards are provided, and postcards are sorted by the name of the business or subject, and by year. An enlarged view of each photograph may be viewed by clicking on the photo, and comments may also be left for possible inclusion on the site. Links to related images may be viewed by clicking on the "Labels" link.
https://unioncitypostcards.blogspot.com/
The congregation meets at its facilities on Division Street in Union City, Michigan. An introduction to the church is provided for those who may be attending for the first time, which will include contemporary praise and worship, casual dress, and preaching from the Bible. Its location, a calendar of programs and events, and an overview of its Sunday morning worship, Wednesday night prayer services, Thursday Bible study, and youth and children's ministries are outlined.
https://myucag.com/
Serving Union City, Michigan, the public school district offers a K-12 curriculum through Union City Elementary School, Union City Middle School, and Union City High School, each of which is highlighted here, including student handbooks, enrollment policies, breakfast and lunch menus, and a faculty directory for each. Other resources include a district calendar, curriculum data, a list of school board members and meeting schedules, departmental contacts, and alumni information.
https://www.unioncityschools.org/
Union City United Methodist Church
The UMC congregation in Union City, Michigan was formed in 1836 and 1837, and its current building was built in 1880. The church's location, address, directions, and a map are provided, along with its office hours, church office and parsonage telephone numbers, and email address. The history of the church, a list of the church leadership and staff, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and monthly Scriptures are included on the site. And its Thrift Shop is also highlighted.
http://www.unioncityumc.org/
Situated in Branch and Calhoun counties, Union City is a village at the junction of the St. Joseph and Coldwater rivers. The official municipal website publishes the village's master plan, water quality reports, capital improvement plan, and code of ordinances. Village officials are introduced, meeting agendas and meeting minutes are posted, and a guide to local parks, facilities, services, and events is included. Volunteer and employment opportunities are posted on the site.
http://visitunioncity.com/
