Berrien County, MISquire Isaac Thompson built the first homestead in Berrien County in 1823. The county became official in 1831 and received its name from U.S. Senator and Attorney General John M. Berrien in 1831. At that time, more settlers began to flow into the county. The new colonists built positive relationships with the local Indians, but endured other hardships, including an outbreak of malaria.
Following the Civil War the county experienced an intense growth spurt and the area’s fruit farming industry began. Today, the county is considered the “the heart of the fruit belt.” In the city of Benton Harbor, the traditional “blessing of the blossoms” ceremony initiates a week-long event that draws people from across the nation. And, because of its abundant fruit production, Berrien County has produced many fine wineries. In addition to fruit production, however, the county is also the birthplace of Whirlpool Corporation, Dodge vehicles, and many other manufacturing businesses.
Today Berrien County is the most populated county in Michigan. Cities included within the region are Niles, Berrien Springs, Coloma, New Buffalo and St. Joseph. The St. Joseph River that flows through the county offers fishing, water sports, beaches and camping opportunities. Annual events include Rekindle your Christmas Spirit in Downtown Berrien Springs Celebration, the Harvest Festival, Berrien County Youth Fair and the Christmas Pickle Festival. | More Local Area InformationAt the southernmost tip of Michigan, on the banks of the St. Joseph River, the first settlers set up Fort St. Joseph and a trading post in 1691... Read moreSquire Isaac Thompson built the first homestead in Berrien County in 1823. The county became official in 1831 and received its name from U.S. Senato... Read moreSaint Joseph County is located on the southernmost bend of the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana. The river dips down into Indiana from Michigan... Read moreBerrien Springs, Michigan, received its namesake from John M. Berrien, a U.S. Senator and Attorney General serving under President Andrew Jackson. I... Read morePrior to 1883, the region now known as Granger, Indiana, served as a depot for Lake Huron and Chicago Railroad. The only structures that existed a... Read moreSouth Bend, Indiana, is the fourth largest city in Indiana and the county seat of St. Joseph County. According to the 2006 census, the population wa... Read moreWith so much to offer its residents—a vibrant arts community, intriguing historic districts, and an array of attractions—South Bend is a great plac... Read moreThe city of South Bend is located along the St. Joseph River in North Central Indiana, approximately 10 miles south of the Michigan state line.... Read moreToday South Bend is a thriving city with a diverse population of around 105,000 people. It continues to be the seat of county government, as well a... Read moreA Cass County village, Edwardsburg, Mich., provides a country setting in a quiet environment. This small community is located just northeast of Sout... Read moreCass County, Michigan, was established in 1828 during the presidency of Andrew Jackson and named after Lewis Cass who served as territorial governo... Read moreThe “Grand Old City” of southwestern Michigan, Dowagiac, located in Cass County, was named after the Native American word meaning “foraging ground.... Read moreMishawaka, Indiana, established in 1899, is the birthplace of the Hummer (produced by AM General) and home to approximately 49,000 people. The city’... Read moreThe first settlers of Cassopolis were the Putnams, a small family from Indiana who took up residence in October of 1825. Their humble floorless hom... Read moreLocated in the heart of Amish Country, Elkhart, Indiana, is the birth place of Alka Seltzer and claims to have produced more patents than any othe... Read moreElkhart County, Indiana, offers a mix of urban and rural living with a population of nearly 200,000. The large Amish population contributes to th... Read moreOriginally populated by the Potawatami Indians, Van Buren County, Mich., is considered “Michigan’s Fruit Basket.” Sometime in the mid 1800s, settler... Read moreA small town in Elkhart County, Bristol was founded by European settlers approximately 200 years ago. Today, Bristol looks forward to the future wit... Read moreWith an estimated population of 31,882 in 2006, Goshen, Indiana, is the county seat of Elkhart County. The neighborly, service-oriented environment... Read moreNestled in northeastern Elkhart County, Middlebury covers approximately 100 square miles of scenic, semi-rural landscape. The large Amish an... Read more |
