The Man Who Built Unionville: Story of the Coy Block

In this episode of Michigan Moments, we travel to Unionville, Michigan, to uncover the story behind one of the town’s most recognizable buildings—the Coy Block. Built in 1883 by Civil War veteran John S. Coy, this brick structure has stood at the center of town life for over 140 years. Coy’s journey began on the battlefield, where he was wounded six times at Gettysburg. After the war, he returned to Michigan, rebuilt his life, and played a key role in shaping Unionville’s commercial and civic identity. He founded a bank, built homes, served as postmaster, and left behind a legacy that still stands in brick and mortar today. This 90-second reel offers a quick but powerful look at a man who helped build a town from the ground up—literally. 📍 Unionville remembers. 🎥 Subscribe for more bite-sized Michigan history. #MichiganHistory #UnionvilleMI #CivilWarVeteran