J.P. Palmer, who moved to the area from New York at age 10, studied at Albion College and the Chicago Art Institute and became known for watercolor and oil paintings that preserved many local river scenes. His work was in great demand, with some paintings going to Europe and to galleries from Chicago to Alaska. After returning to Union City in 1888, he spent summers living in a tent on the banks of the St. Joe and painting the surrounding landscape. Though he gained distinction in galleries alongside other notable artists, he preferred the simple life in Union City. He was also a noted violinist who hand-built more than 20 violins. He died on December 4, 1945, at age 89. In 2016, a launch was named in his honor. The railroad trestle still standing over the Coldwater River was built in the late 1800s as part of the Michigan Air-line Railway Company. At its peak around 1920, 4 passenger trains and 12-16 freight trains crossed the tracks daily. The line was abandoned in the mid 1970s.