The Village of White Pigeon, Michigan is situated along US-12, which runs east-west through the center of town, intersecting US-131, which forms the village's western boundary.
The Pigeon River flows through a portion of the village in the south, emptying into the St. Joseph River that continues to Lake Michigan.
White Pigeon is in the southern part of St. Joseph County, a few miles north of Michigan's border with Indiana.
Michigan cities and villages within twenty-five miles of White Pigeon include Constantine, Three Rivers, Sturgis, Centreville, Burr Oak, Vandalia, Mendon, and Bronson, while Indiana cities and towns within that distance include Van Buren, Middlebury, Bristol, Lima, Goshen, Elkhart, LaGrange, Topeka, and Dunlap.
Incorporated in 1837, White Pigeon is the oldest incorporated village in the state, and was originally an outpost in the wilderness.
The area was first settled by European-Americans when John Winchell came from Wayne County, Michigan in 1827. Later that year, Colonel Asahel Savery opened a tavern at that location, and a post office was established at the tavern, with Colonel Savery as postmaster. At that time, the post office was named Millville.
The first hotel in St. Joseph County opened in what is now White Pigeon in 1828, and a stagecoach line connected Tecumseh, White Pigeon, and Niles beginning in 1831, at which time the post office was moved to the stage offices. On February 16, 1833, a government-operated post office was opened as White Pigeon Prairie, with Alfred Allen as postmaster. The name was shortened to White Pigeon on January 21, 1835.
The name was chosen to honor Potawatomi Chief Wahbememe, whose name translated to White Pigeon. Legend has it that, while at a gathering of the chiefs, Chief Wahbememe heard plans to attack the settlement. As he was a friend to the settlers, he ran almost a hundred and fifty miles to warn them, collapsing and dying soon after. He is buried in town, and the site of his grave is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
The village was platted and recorded by Robert Clark, Jr. for Niles F. Smith, Neal McGaffrey, and Colonel Savery in 1830, and incorporated in 1837.
White Pigeon was a junction of the original Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad and the Lake Shore's Kalamazoo Branch. The Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana was later acquired by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway.
Recently acquired by Patriot Rail, the Michigan Southern Railroad operates a 21-mile portion of the former Michigan Southern Railroad (1846-1855) between White Pigeon and Sturgis. At White Pigeon, the line connects with the CSX via the Grand Elk Railroad, just west of town. Still in operation, the freight line carries aggregates, chemicals, food products, grain, lumber, paper, and plastics.
Downtown White Pigeon is home to the United States Land Office, the oldest surviving US Land Office in Michigan. Between 1830 and 1834, settlers could purchase Michigan land from the Office for $1.25 per acre.
In 2020, Ox Industries restarted the White Pigeon Paper Mill after it was closed for three months. Acquiring the mill from Graphic Packaging, the company converted it from clay-coated recycled paperboard to high-strength uncoated recycled paperboard.
Like most localities, Pigeon is largely residential, although it supports some industries, as well as several commercial enterprises, mostly along US-12. White Pigeon Community Schools offers a K-12 curriculum through Central Elementary School and White Pigeon Junior/Senior High School.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the Village of White Pigeon, Michigan. Online resources for governmental entities, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, sports programs, and other recreational opportunities within the village are appropriate for this category.
Categories
Services & Industries |
Recommended Resources
Bontrager's Surplus R.V. Supplies
In business since 1972, the family-owned and operated business features thousands of square feet of showroom facilities, plus acres of outside merchandise, carrying a wide range of supplies and accessories for recreational vehicles, as well as home improvement supplies. An overview of its inventory is listed, and much of it is shown in photographs. The address to its facilities in White Pigeon, Michigan is presented, along with hours of operation, contacts, and an online contact form.
https://bontragers.com/
Established in 1837, White Pigeon was an outpost of civilization when the rest of the area was undeveloped wilderness. The official municipal website offers the history of the village, a gallery of photographs, the village master plan, ordinances, resolutions, public notices, and employment opportunities. Council members are introduced, and council meeting agendas and minutes, and departmental contacts are featured. Freedom of Information Act files and forms are available.
https://whitepigeonvillage.com/
White Pigeon Community Schools
Serving the White Pigeon, Michigan community, the public school district offers a K-12 curriculum through Central Elementary School and White Pigeon Junior/Senior High School, each of which is highlighted here. The district's administrative and departmental offices are featured, along with its strategic plan, budget data, and a list of school board members. A School of Choice application is available, and reasons to choose WPCS are included. Employment opportunities are posted on the site.
https://www.wpcschools.org/
The civil township is in St. Joseph County, near Michigan's border with Indiana. The official township website features a profile of the township, a calendar of township news and events, a newsletter, public notices, agendas, and monthly meeting minutes. The township hall address, phone number, and office hours are posted, and a guide to local restaurants, bars, utilities, public transportation, services, and annual events is included, along with cemetery information.
https://whitepigeontwp.com/
Located in White Pigeon, Michigan, the library serves the village and township. Its address, a map, hours of operation, phone, text, and fax numbers, an email address, and an online contact form are posted on the site, which includes an overview of its online and in-person services and resources, its programs for adults, children, and teens, a library newsletter, and resources for local history and genealogy are included. A community directory and WPHS Yearbooks may be downloaded in PDF format.
https://www.whitepigeonlibrary.org/
