Spring Arbor, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spring Arbor is an community in Jackson County, Michigan. It is the home of Spring Arbor University, a liberal arts university affiliated with the Free Methodist Church.
North is the village of Parma, Michigan. West is the village of Concord, Michigan. East is the city of Jackson, Michigan. South is the village of Hanover, Michigan.
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[edit] Demographics
For township demographics, please visit the Spring Arbor Township article.
For statistical purposes, the Census bureau has designated a Census-designated place (CDP) for the area immediately surrounding the University. The Demographics for the Spring Arbor CDP (Census-designated place) are listed in the Spring Arbor CDP article.
[edit] Geography
For township geographical information, please visit the Spring Arbor Township article.
For statistical purposes, the Census bureau has designated a Census-designated place (CDP) for the area immediately surrounding the University. The geographical information for the Spring Arbor CDP (Census-designated place) is listed in the Spring Arbor CDP article.
Spring Arbor is well known for its artesian water springs which form several small lakes, creeks and rivers.
[edit] Education
Three K-12 school districts cover the township:
Trinity Lutheran School serves grades K-8 and is located in the northeast quarter of the township. It is affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor. Established in 1873 as a seminary of the Free Methodist Church, it later became a high school, followed by a junior college, then a college and finally a university on April 30, 2001.
The Jackson Community College District also serves the township.
[edit] Government
Spring Arbor is organized as a Township for municipal purposes. The township is governed by a Township Board consisting of a Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer and four trustees. All members of the board are elected at-large to four-year terms during the November presidential election.
The members of the Township Board are currently:
- Supervisor: Willard DeGraff (Republican)
- Clerk: Randi DeVries (Republican)
- Treasurer: Gloria Melchiori (Republican)
- Trustees: Marston Fortress, Patricia Short, Kevin Ganton, and John Williams (all Republican)
The courts serving Spring Arbor are:
- 12th District Court
- 4th Circuit Court
- Jackson County Probate Court
- Spring Arbor has no municipal courts
[edit] History
Potawatomi resided in present-day Spring Arbor in three known aboriginal villages until their removal to reservations near Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Organized by Territorial Council in 1832, the township has continued to exist with its present boundaries since 1837. Spring Arbor was first spelled Spring Arbour on all early maps.
During the mid-1800s a Village of Spring Arbour had been planned along what is now the intersection of Cross and Hammond Roads in the southwest portion of the township. The development of such village began but stopped with the departure of the Free Will Baptists' seminary to what is now Hillsdale College. Remnants of this plot are clearly visible on an aerial view of the area: a portion of Matthews Rd continues along a street directed at the intersections of Cross & Hammond. Falling Waters Park can be found at this former establishment with historical information about the area.
[edit] Commerce and industry
There are several nursing homes, retirement centres and assisted living centres in the community. Many of these are owned by members of the Ganton family.
Spring Arbor University employs approximately 275 staff and faculty on its Main Campus as of September 2004, which is by far the largest employer located in the community.
CMS Energy employs a large number of Spring Arbor residents, but is located in Jackson.
[edit] Churches
- Free Methodist
- Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church, the largest Free Methodist Church in Michigan and headquarters of the Southern Michigan Conference.
- Nazarene
- Spring Arbor Church of the Nazarene, merged with the King's Chapel in 1992.
- Baptist
- Spring Arbor Missionary Baptist Church
- Apostolic
- Calvary Apostolic Church
