Spring Arbor

History

Potawatomi Native Americans 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, Spring Arbor 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-19th century, 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 a village began but ended 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 Road continues along a street directed at the intersections of Cross and Hammond. Falling Waters Park can be found at this former establishment with historical information about the area including the Potawatomi village, the founding of the village of Spring Arbor, the 1835 founding of what would eventually become Albion College, and the 1844 founding of the predecessor of both Hillsdale College and Spring Arbor University.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (1.07%) is water. Spring Arbor is in western Jackson County in the center of Spring Arbor Township. State highway M-60 passes through the center of town, leading northeast to Jackson, the county seat, and southwest to Tekonsha. Spring Arbor is well known for its artesian water springs which form several small lakes, creeks and rivers. Lime Lake County Park is located on in Spring Arbor including a boat launch, a swimming area, playground equipment, and the Falling Waters Trail. The lake was created by the quarrying of marl, a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud used to make concrete. Divers frequent this lake to view bizarre underwater mountains, pillars, and spires left behind from concrete production.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  7,943
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  7,496
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  7,140
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  6,491
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  6,365
• White-breasted Nuthatch

  Sitta carolinensis Latham, 1790 · Aves
  5,909
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,751
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,697

Most recent

• M 2.7 — 2026-05-04
  8 km N of Maybee, Michigan
• M 3.3 — 2015-06-30
  5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
• M 4.2 — 2015-05-02
  5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan