1853 — Citizens of Spring Arbor, Mich., fight to keep then-called Michigan Central College from changing its location, declaring the attempt “an act of gross injustice and ingratitude.”
Other choices of city included Adrian, Marshall, Jackson, Coldwater, and Hillsdale. Jackson, which remains the largest of the five, was ruled out by the committee of the abolitionist institution on grounds of local pro-slavery sentiments (although the Republican Party arguably would be founded there the next year). Coldwater first offered $10,000 to attract the college, but Dr. George Underwood led the citizens of Hillsdale to arrange a gentleman’s agreement of $15,000 to seal the deal. The final decision was made within a week.
The college’s original structures (pictured) were left standing in Spring Arbor.
-Compiled by Dane Skorup
