Lost Coldwater

By Randall Hazelbaker

In 1831, Rev. Allen Tibbits and Joseph Hanchett arrived in the area that would become Coldwater. Together, they platted out a village and named it Lyons after their hometown in New York. Potawatomi Indians called the area chuck-sey-ya-bish, which translated to cold water, and within two years the settlers followed the Indians example in naming the village. Many pioneers traveled on the Historic Sauk Trail (now US Route 12), which connects Detroit to Chicago, putting Coldwater on the map. The introduction of the Erie Canal in 1825 and railroad transit in 1850 revolutionized travel and spawned rapid growth. By 1861, Coldwater was recognized as a city. As a result of this growth, cottages at Coldwater Lake started showing up in the late 1870s as summer getaways, enticing tourists to the area. In addition, cultural outlets like the Tibbits Opera House, built in 1882 and boasting Second Empire architecture, graced the downtown area.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Dec 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781439648995

Randall Hazelbaker

Known locally as Mr. History, Randall Hazelbaker is Coldwater's unofficial town historian. Active in civic and community life for many years, he is well-known to Coldwaterites. He has researched and hosted several local history programs that have aired on cable television. A longtime collector of Coldwater memorabilia, the images found in this book come from Hazelbaker's extensive personal collection.

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INTRODUCTION

Lost Coldwater is a natural complement to the first book I published, in 2005, Images of America: Coldwater. The vast collection of local photographs and postcards that I have been able to gather compelled me to produce a second book covering Coldwater. I take pleasure in sharing my collection in the hopes of sparking interest in this area’s history. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this volume.

Lost Coldwater is divided into three chapters. The first chapter covers the historic downtown of the city. An ordinance passed in 1854 that restricted the construction of wood buildings due to the potential for fire. All new structures from that time were required to be made of brick. By the 1950s, the second and third floors of the downtown buildings were empty, and store owners chose to live out in the sprawling neighborhoods. Neglect and lack of maintenance also did not help these 100-year-old buildings. Had the Arlington Hotel in downtown Coldwater lasted a few more years, it may have been saved with the popularity of bed-and-breakfast establishments. Through the urban-renewal project, Coldwater, like many towns, lost some of its fine buildings. In the post–World War II era, and with many parents of the baby-boom generation, there seemed to be a prevalent attitude of out with the old, in with the new. The GI Bill for World War II veterans made home ownership attractive through low-cost mortgage loans, and many new neighborhoods and subdivisions were created, illustrating the prevailing new is better mood.

Chapter two highlights community life and the day-to-day activities of the town’s residents. Coldwater lost three major church structures—the Methodist, First Baptist, and St. Charles Catholic Churches—when each congregation decided to build new churches as their buildings turned 100 years old. Only the First Presbyterian Church, with its landmark steeple, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church survive. The community has replaced several schools, including Lincoln High School, Washington Elementary (in the city’s Second Ward), Longfellow (Third Ward), Edison Elementary (Third Ward), and Franklin Elementary (Fourth Ward). Though not in use as schools, having been sold for business or private use, the 1923 Roosevelt School and the 1939 Washington Elementary School survive.

The third chapter of Lost Coldwater is comprised of photographs and information about businesses and manufacturing firms that used to operate here. Some of the companies that are no longer with us include Homer Furnace, L.A. Darling Company, Midwest Foundry, Federal Mogul, Shaw shoe factory, and Hillsdale Manufacturing. Tourism is an important industry for all of Michigan, and with the large number of inland lakes in this region, it is also important to Coldwater; therefore, I have included a few lake photographs.

Coldwater has an interesting history, starting with the first pioneers who traveled through this area via the Old Sauk Trail (now US 12). They were heading west from New York and New England. Chief Topinabee sold this area in 1821, and with the Erie Canal opening in 1825, settlers began streaming into the region. Hugh Campbell built the first log cabin in 1830, and Rev. Allen Tibbits and Joseph Hanchett arrived in 1831. Tibbits and Hanchett platted a town and called it Lyons after their hometown of Lyons, New York. In order to grow the town, free land was offered to pioneers traveling west to entice them to settle here. Within a year, the town’s name was changed to Coldwater, as the local Potawatomi called the area Chuck-Sey-Ya-Bish, meaning Land of Cold Water.

By 1837, the population of Coldwater grew to 140, and the town was incorporated as a village. The first courthouse was constructed in 1847 and was used for 40 years. Passenger and freight trains came to Coldwater in 1850 from the east, traveling west along the Old Sauk Trail. Telegraph lines made it to Coldwater in 1849 as business and industry continued to grow.

Coldwater was incorporated as a city in 1861 as the Loomis Battery left for the Civil War. It is estimated that 500 men from Coldwater fought in this war. After the war, Coldwater saw a great deal of growth and expansion. Churches, downtown stores, hotels, splendid homes, and industry all grew in the post–Civil War era. The town’s second courthouse