Мичиган штатындағы Бранч округінің тарихы мен географиясы

County in Michigan, United States

Branch County comprises the Coldwater, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Branch County was a New England settlement. The original founders of Coldwater were settlers from the northern coastal colonies – "Yankees", descended from the English Puritans who came from the Old World in the 1600s and who brought their culture. During the early 1800s, there was a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the untamed Northwest Territory. Many traveled through New York State via the Erie Canal; the threat of Native Americans had been reduced by the end of the Black Hawk War. These early settlers laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes. They brought a passion for education, and established many schools. Many were supporters of abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian. Culturally Branch County, like much of Michigan, developed as part of the Northern Tier, continuous with New England culture, during its early history. The county still depends on agriculture as the basis of its economy.

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,347 km2), of which 506 square miles (1,311 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (2.6%) is water. It is the third smallest county in Michigan by total area. The only island in the county is Iyopawa Island.

– runs north–south through central Branch County. Runs east of Girard, Coldwater and Kinderhook. – runs through Coldwater. – runs ENE through central Branch County. Passes Bronson, Coldwater and Quincy. – runs through northern part of county. Enters near Union City; runs west 5 mile (8 km) to intersection with M60, south of Athens. – runs through NW tip of county. Enters west line from Leonidas, Michigan, runs east 2.4 mile (4 km), turns north to exit county toward Athens, Michigan. runs east–west through central Branch County. Enters from Colon, Michigan, runs east to intersection with US12, 3 mile (5 km) west of Coldwater.