Berrien Springs, Michigan is in central-eastern Oronoko Charter Township, Berrien County, in the southwestern Lower Peninsula.
The village is situated mostly on the west banks of the Saint Joseph River, although it includes Pardee Island and Shamrock Park, on the eastern side of the river, north of Pardee Island. Lake Chapin, formed from the river, borders the city on the south and southeast.
The main route through the village is Business 31, which connects with US 31 northeast of the village. Secondary routes include East Shawnee Road, East Snow Road, Shaker Farm Road, and Tudor Road. The village of Eau Claire is 4.3 miles northeast and Baroda is 8.2 miles west of Berrien Springs, while the city of Buchanan is 9.8 miles south, Niles is 10.1 miles south-southeast, and Dowagiac is 14.3 miles east of the village.
The Berrien Springs Public Schools campus takes up a large part of the western portion of the village, including Berrien Springs High School, Berrien Springs Middle School, Mars Elementary School, and Sylvester Elementary School. Village Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School is located in the same area. Although not within the boundaries of the village, Andrews University and Andrews Academy are less than a mile away, to the northwest, and served by the Berrien Springs post office.
The Berrien Springs Community Library serves both the village and Oronoko Township. The village also has two dedicated parks within the village limits. Wolf's Prairie Park is a 17-acre neighborhood park with a playground and a shelter. Shamrock Park is situated mostly on the east side of the river in the northeastern portion of the village, although a portion of the park is on the west side of the river.
The area that was to become Berrien Springs was first settled by the John Pike family in 1829. George Kimmel, who also came in 1829, bought Pike's land but didn't bring his family to the area until 1831. As others came, the settlement was first known as Wolf's Prairie because it was situated on a large prairie, and had previously been a Potawatamie village governed by a chief known as Wolf.
The town was platted in 1831 by Samuel Marrs for Pitt Brown, Horace Godfrey, and Francis B. Murdock, who were the proprietors. On December 4, 1832, a post office was established there, with Pitt Brown as postmaster. The post office was known as Berrien, as the springs had not yet been discovered. It was named for John M. Berrien, Attorney General under President Andrew Jackson.
On April 18, 1836, the post office was renamed Berrien Springs, after mineral springs were discovered in the area.
In 1837, Berrien Springs became the county seat of Berrien County, remaining so until 1894, when it was moved to Saint Joseph. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the original county courthouse campus is currently one of the oldest county government buildings in the Midwest.
In 1863, Berrien Springs was incorporated as a village by the supervisors, and by the state legislature in 1867.
Lake Chapin was created through the construction of the Berrien Springs Dam in 1906, which began generating power in 1908.
The focus of this category is on the village of Berrien Springs, Michigan. Websites representing the village are appropriate for this category, as are local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events. Nearby entities served by the Berrien Springs post office may also be found in this category.
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Recommended Resources
Established in 1960, the locally owned, family-operated funeral home is located on South Main Street in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Directions and a map show the location of the facility, and its office hours and telephone number is published to the site. Affiliated with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, its services, a pre-planning guide, and information on writing an obituary, funeral etiquette, and grief resources are featured.
https://www.allredfuneralhome.com/
Put on by the Berrien County Youth Fair Association, a non-profit membership association organized to promote agriculture through an annual youth fair. Membership information is published on the site, along with information for exhibitors and food vendors, a list of youth exhibitor departments and details relating to each, sponsorship opportunities and a list of sponsors, schedules of fundraisers, event schedules, and grandstand entertainment.
https://bcyf.us/
The Club serves its membership by providing a boating access site and recreation area on the Saint Joseph River, just above the Berrian Springs dam. Organized as a non-profit corporation, membership information, a downloadable registration form, and bylaws are supplied, including membership fees, officers, and contacts. Other resources include maps, announcements, the annual spring newsletter, and information for those using canoes and kayaks.
http://www.bsboatclub.org/
Berrien Springs Community Library
The district library in Berrien Springs, Michigan serves the residents of the village and Oronoko Township, in Southwest Lower Michigan. Its location is shown on a map, and its hours of operation are posted to the site, along with an overview of its books and other collections, loan periods, fines, a calendar of sponsored programs and events, and information on obtaining a library card. The members of its board of trustees are identified and a schedule of meetings is posted to the site.
http://www.bsclibrary.org/
Berrien Springs Oronoko Township Police
Formed in 1971, the law enforcement body serves the Village of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and the surrounding Oronoko Charter Township, providing police coverage seven days a week. Office hours and contacts are published to the site, a document center allows for the download of various documents, and police reports may be available through LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Employment opportunities, a calendar of events, news, and announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.bsopd.org/
Created in 1973, and owned and operated by the Village of Berrien Springs, Michigan, the campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River. The year-round park provides camping and fishing opportunities, including restrooms, showers, a boat ramp, a fish-cleaning station, and a sanitary dump station for RVs. Featuring full hookup sites, sites with water and electric, just electric, and primitive, as well as three rental cabins that can sleep a maximum of four people.
http://www.shamrockpark.net/
The History Center at Courthouse Square
Maintained and operated by the Berrien County Historical Association, which collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Berrien County through exhibits, tours, publications, research, and educational and community outreach programs. Established in 1967, the Center is housed in the 1839 courthouse, which now serves as a historical museum. Membership information, hours of operation, contacts, and a calendar of events are published on the site.
http://www.berrienhistory.org/
The salt cave and retail showroom are named for the halogenerator, which disperses pharmaceutical grade salt into the air during each 45-minute salt cave session, simulating the benefits of a traditional salt cave. Operated by a mother and daughter, reservations are required for salt cave sessions and its retail store carries Himalayan salt lamps, salt products, essential oils, and LaVazza coffee. Store and cave hours are published to the site, and the benefits of the therapy are listed.
https://thesalthaven.com/
Situated in the southwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Berrien Springs is an incorporated village in Oronoko Charter Township. The official municipal website lists the village council and provides office hours and telephone numbers, village holidays, a calendar of events, and an overview of municipal utilities and services. Other resources include the village’s master plan, ordinances, council agendas and minutes, a recycling calendar, and public notices.
https://www.villageofberriensprings.com/
