The village of Burr Oak is in southeastern St. Joseph County. Surrounded by Burr Oak Township, the village is about seven miles northeast of Sturgis.
Middle Colon Road (Highland Avenue) forms the western boundaries of the village, while Burr Oak Road forms its eastern boundary. Hathaway Road leads south the central-southern part of the village. The city of Bronson is 7.5 miles northeast of Burr Oak, while the village of Colon is 8.9 miles north, and Centreville is 14.8 miles southeast.
Named for the trees that existed in the area, Burr Oak was settled around 1835. A post office was established there on May 10, 1837, under the name of Burr Oaks, with Julius A. Thompson as postmaster. However, the post office was closed on July 24, 1853.
In anticipation of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad extending its tracks through the area in 1850, William Lock, a major area landowner, offered to donate land to the railroad for a depot if it would be named Lock's Station. In 1851, the village was platted and recorded by William Lock and Henry Weaver. When the post office reopened on February 16, 1852, it was named Lock's Station, and John E. Clewes was appointed postmaster. Five years later, townspeople voted to rename the post office and village, at which time it became Burr Oak. The village was incorporated in 1859.
At its peak, in 1970, the population of Burr Oak was 873. It has declined slightly since then, but was still above 800 at the time of the 2010 census.
The focus of this guide is on the village of Burr Oak, and its resources may include websites representing the village itself or any businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, or events within the village.
Recommended Resources
Operating an elementary school and combined middle/high school program, the public school district offers a K-12th-grade curriculum. School staff directories are featured, along with student handbooks, curriculum data, and an academic calendar, as well as information about its administrative and technology services, its board of education, teacher pages, and announcements. A directory of teacher pages is included, office hours, and staff contacts.
https://www.burroakcs.org/
The civil township is headquartered in the village of Burr Oak, Michigan. The official township site provides the location of the township offices and provides office hours, demographics, and contacts for the township board of trustees, planning commission, fire department, library, inspections department, and staff. A calendar of events, ordinances, zoning, and land use maps, meeting agendas, and minutes are posted, with links to other local resources.
http://www.burroaktownship.org/
Located on Findley Road in Burr Oak, Michigan, the Anabaptist congregation holds to the baptism of believers, foot-washing as a symbol of service and love for one another, and non-resistance. Founded in 1940, the church first met in an empty house, then built a sanctuary at its present location. Its history, beliefs, and a guide to those who are new are put forth, as well as an introduction to the church’s pastor and staff, an overview of its ministries, and schedules.
https://lgmchurch.org/
Affiliated with the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, the Burr Oak congregation was established in 1864, and originally known as St. Johannes Evangelical Lutheran Church. The history of the church is told, along with directions, office hours, telephone numbers, email addresses, announcements, and a church calendar. Other resources include a photo gallery, a printable sermon notes form, a children’s page, and links to various LCMS online resources.
http://www.stjohnsburroak.com/
