Eureka

The history of Eureka is as interesting as its name - which first shared the title of its home township, Greenbush.

What would become the settlement of Eureka began in 1855 with the purchase of property at the future site by J.A. Barrington of Knox County, Ohio, who acquired 160 acres via a business transaction. Finding that an adequate stream, Mill Creek, flowed through his land, Barrington set up a saw and grist mill in section 15.

The mills attracted more settlers and other enterprises and prompted the relocation of the Greenbush post office to the new settlement. Since an official Greenbush Post Office already existed in Alcona County, Barrington and his counterparts were forced to choose a new name - it was sometimes called Swizzletown, based on the notion that villagers were "given overmuch to a taste for strong drink."

Edward Stark, who was postmaster at the time, suggested the name 'Eureka,' saying that he had found the village a "most excellent opening for business with the promise of greater things to come." Stephen Pearl, determined to do what he could to impress the general public that the village was not Swizzletown, placed a large sign against his store with the letters E-u-r-e-k-a.

The village was platted in 1857, continuing to grow over the years so that by 1880 Eureka boasted three physicians, two mills, grocery stores, a hardware shop, hotel, grain elevator, church and two school buildings.

Services of the Christian Church, that had been located at the corner of Hyde and Scott roads, were transferred to Eureka in 1858 when a school was built. A church was built in 1871. The current Eureka Congregational Christian Church was built following a fire in 1951 that destroyed the old building.

Since Eureka was not served by a railroad, visitors to the village initially arrived via stage coach traveling on 'roads' from St. Johns and going north to Ithaca, Alma and St. Louis. The old Colonial Hotel that served travelers still stands on the northeast corner of Maple Rapids and Welling roads - Eureka's main four corners.

Built in 1903 by Grant Cleveland, the hotel was described as a "new brick structure with all modern improvements, including steam heat and patent gas light." It served as a 'hostelry' for only a few years before becoming a grocery store - Old Millers Grocery.

Gower's Store, which was located nearby, was built in 1896 to be used as a post office. It was bought in 1898 and a hardware store was started. Gower's Hardware and Grain Elevator was owned by Otto Gower until his death in 1975, after which it was operated as the Eureka Hardware and Central Bean and Grain Co.

Historical Information taken from the 1880 and 1980 Clinton County History.