to
Update
is an unincorporated community within Spring Arbor Township, Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau has defined a census-designated place (CDP) with the same name for statistical purposes. The CDP has no official status as a municipality and the boundaries defined by the Census Bureau may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the Spring Arbor area. The population of the CDP was 2,188 at the 2000 census. There is a post office in Spring Arbor with ZIP code 49283 that serves an area larger than the CDP, but smaller than the township. As of 2000, the ZIP Code Tabulation Area had a population of 3,110. Spring Arbor Township surrounds the community, but also includes portions of surrounding communities. As of 2000, the township had a population of 7,577.
Spring Arbor is the home of Spring Arbor University, a liberal arts university affiliated with the Free Methodist Church.
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, 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.