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    This day in the valley

    The valley’s almanac

    95 days the county histories remember to the date: a first train, a first newspaper, a fire, a charter, a church dedicated. Every one carries the book and page it comes from, so you can open the record and read it yourself.

    These days on the valley calendar, beside this year’s festivals ›

    Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec

    January

    1. 1 January, 1835 Mishawaka. Voters at St. Joseph Iron Works (later Mishawaka) elected village trustees, the first village organization in St. Joseph County. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 790
    2. 2 January, 1864 Dowagiac. A great fire destroyed more than half of Dowagiac's business district. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 197
    3. 4 January, 1869 Niles. The new iron bridge over the St. Joseph River at Niles was completed and accepted by the city's Board of Aldermen. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 160
    4. 7 January, 1866 Dowagiac. A fire that began in the Stebbins store swept along Dowagiac's Commercial and Front streets. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 198
    5. 8 January, 1900 Cassopolis. The building committee reported that Cass County's new courthouse at Cassopolis was substantially finished. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 211
    6. 13 January, 1850 Niles. The Presbyterian congregation at Niles dedicated its new church, built in 1849. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 163
    7. 16 January, 1871 Cassopolis. Regular passenger trains began running on the new Air Line railroad through Cassopolis. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 80
    8. 28 January, 1837 Goshen. The first number of the Goshen Express was issued. History of Elkhart County, Indiana (Chapman, 1881), p. 605
    9. 30 January, 1896 Dowagiac. The Tourists' Club of Dowagiac was organized. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 341

    February

    1. 2 February, 1836 Edwardsburg. Citizens met at Edwardsburg about a canal from Constantine to Niles; most of those present favored a railroad. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 79
    2. 2 February, 1870 St. Joseph. The railroad from St. Joseph to New Buffalo opened for traffic, and St. Joseph held a grand celebration. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 55
    3. 3 February, 1858 Dowagiac. The Board of Supervisors incorporated Dowagiac as a village. (Glover 1906, p. 156, gives February 1, 1858.) Rogers, History of Cass County (1875), p. 268
    4. 6 February, 1836 Niles. Citizens met to ask for a charter for a 'Bank of Niles'. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 169
    5. 9 February, 1871 Cassopolis. Rails of the Peninsular railway line reached Cassopolis. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 80
    6. 11 February, 1871 Cassopolis. The Cassopolis library and reading-room society was incorporated under state law. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 173
    7. 12 February, 1835 Niles. The legislative act incorporating the village of Niles was approved. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 161
    8. 12 February, 1859 Niles. Niles received its city charter. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 161
    9. 14 February, 1863 St. Joseph. The first number of the St. Joseph Pioneer newspaper was issued. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 139
    10. 16 February, 1848 Dowagiac. The plat of the new village of Dowagiac was recorded at the Register's office in Cassopolis. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 182
    11. 21 February, 1838 Niles. The Niles Intelligencer began publication after the Niles Gazette collapsed. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 137
    12. 24 February, 1846 Bristol. A fire at Bristol burned G. G. Lansing's store and other property, a loss of $7,835. History of Elkhart County, Indiana (Chapman, 1881), p. 462

    March

    1. 1 March, 1847 Berrien Springs. Judge Charles Jewett held the first term of the re-established county court at the Berrien Springs courthouse. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 132
    2. 1 March, 1866 Niles. The first number of the Niles Times was issued. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 137
    3. 3 March, 1858 Buchanan. Buchanan, newly incorporated as a village, held its first charter election. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 180
    4. 8 March, 1862 Cassopolis. The Baptist church of Cassopolis was organized. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 379
    5. 9 March, 1872 South Bend. The first number of the South Bend Weekly Tribune appeared. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 576
    6. 11 March, 1845 Cass County. The Cass County Advocate, the county's first newspaper, issued its first number. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 106
    7. 16 March, 1869 Cassopolis. The Cassopolis Baptist house of worship, begun in 1862, was dedicated. Rogers (1875, p. 252) gives the same date. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 172
    8. 17 March, 1850 Cassopolis. The National Democrat, founded by shareholders in 1850 with George B. Turner as editor, published its first number. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 106
    9. 19 March, 1842 Cassopolis. The Presbyterian church of Cassopolis was organized. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 382
    10. 21 March, 1836 Niles. Niles obtained a charter for a free bridge across the St. Joseph River. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 159
    11. 22 March, 1849 Niles. The Niles and Mottville plank-road company was incorporated. (Berrien and Van Buren history, 1880, p. 50, gives the same date.) Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 77
    12. 22 March, 1876 Niles. The first number of the Niles Weekly Mirror was issued. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 138
    13. 25 March, 1868 Marcellus. An Evangelical church was organized in Marcellus Township. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 387
    14. 26 March, 1835 Niles. A charter was granted to Obed P. Lacey for a toll bridge over the St. Joseph at Niles. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 159
    15. 26 March, 1836 Constantine. The Legislature incorporated the Constantine and Niles Canal or Railroad Company. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 79
    16. 27 March, 1880 South Bend. The first number of the South Bend Era appeared, with B. F. Shively as editor and proprietor. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 576

    April

    1. 1 April, 1840 Paw Paw. The site of the Van Buren County courthouse was fixed on block 11 in Paw Paw. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 364
    2. 3 April, 1848 Paw Paw. The act incorporating the Paw Paw Plank-Road Company was approved. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 50
    3. 3 April, 1866 South Bend. A new church at Washington and Lafayette streets in South Bend was dedicated. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 886
    4. 3 April, 1869 Benton Harbor. The state sanctioned Benton Harbor's village charter. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 190
    5. 12 April, 1827 Cass County. The whole territory of the future county was organized as the township of St. Joseph. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 66
    6. 16 April, 1877 Bangor. Bangor held its first village election at the office of Sebring's warehouse. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 413
    7. 19 April, 1833 Cass County. A legislative act incorporated the Cass County Academy. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 85
    8. 28 April, 1838 St. Joseph. The first number of the Western Post was published at St. Joseph. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 138
    9. 28 April, 1872 St. Joseph. The Catholic church at Ship and Church streets in St. Joseph was dedicated. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 325

    May

    1. 1 May, 1835 Cassopolis. Cass County's first courthouse, on the west side of Broadway in Cassopolis, was ready for use. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 207
    2. 5 May, 1875 Walkerton. The first number of the Walkerton Visitor was issued. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 744
    3. 12 May, 1831 South Bend. Commissioners signed their report choosing South Bend as the permanent seat of St. Joseph County. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 362
    4. 15 May, 1832 South Bend. The state road from Fort Wayne to South Bend was ordered recorded. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 368
    5. 24 May, 1845 Niles. The contract to build the Broadway bridge at Niles was let to Henry J. Holmes. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 159
    6. 31 May, 1866 Notre Dame. The new college building at Notre Dame was dedicated. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 629

    June

    1. 8 June, 1841 Newberg Township. The First Regular Baptist church of Newberg was organized. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 380
    2. 11 June, 1875 Berrien County. Berrien County's first county grange was organized with thirty-eight members. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 150
    3. 12 June, 1841 St. Joseph. St. Joseph's commissioners declared the town's streets, including Wayne Street, public highways. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 315
    4. 17 June, 1874 Cassopolis. The Cass County Pioneer Society held its first festival at the Cassopolis fair grounds. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 142
    5. 19 June, 1838 Berrien Springs. The Berrien County jail at Berrien Springs was completed and ready for use. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 134
    6. 21 June, 1866 St. Joseph. A St. Joseph church meeting-house was destroyed by fire. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 324
    7. 26 June, 1868 Niles. The Niles Manufacturing Company was incorporated. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 170

    July

    1. 4 July, 1876 Edwardsburg. Edwardsburg held a celebration for the national Centennial, with a historical address. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 266
    2. 5 July, 1849 Porter Township. Josiah Williams filed the plat of the village of Williamsville. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 127
    3. 7 July, 1866 Benton Harbor. Benton Harbor held its first village election at the white schoolhouse; 83 votes were cast. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 190
    4. 12 July, 1851 Niles. Repairs to the flood-damaged Broadway bridge at Niles were completed. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 160
    5. 15 July, 1898 Cassopolis. The contract for Cass County's new courthouse was awarded to J. E. Gibson of Logansport, Indiana. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 210
    6. 23 July, 1872 Mason Township. Moses McKissick recorded the plat of a village site in Mason Township (Kessington, or Sailor). Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 125

    August

    1. 17 August, 1851 South Bend. A brick church at Main and Jefferson streets in South Bend was dedicated. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 882
    2. 18 August, 1859 St. Joseph. A new frame church in St. Joseph was dedicated. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 323
    3. 26 August, 1863 Berrien Springs. Seventy-three citizens of Berrien Springs petitioned the county board for a village charter. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 283
    4. 30 August, 1876 Dowagiac. Bishop C. H. Borgess of Detroit dedicated Dowagiac's Catholic Church of the Holy Maternity. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 190
    5. 31 August, 1867 Dayton. The church at Dayton was dedicated. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 230

    September

    1. 1 September, 1880 Dowagiac. The first number of the Dowagiac Times was issued. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 108
    2. 5 September, 1835 Niles. The first number of the Niles Gazette and Advertiser was issued. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 136
    3. 9 September, 1875 New Buffalo. A. C. and J. R. Hill issued the first number of the New Buffalo Independent. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 139
    4. 15 September, 1860 Wayne Township. The Wayne Chapel Methodist Episcopal society was first incorporated. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 329
    5. 18 September, 1851 Cassopolis. The Cass County Agricultural Society set its first annual fair for this day at Cassopolis. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 148
    6. 29 September, 1874 Glenwood. The Church of Christ at Glenwood, in Wayne Township, was incorporated. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 384

    October

    1. 4 October, 1851 South Bend. The first through train from Lake Erie reached South Bend, creating great excitement. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 456
    2. 7 October, 1848 Niles. The Michigan Central Railroad was completed to Niles, and the first passenger train from Detroit arrived. Mathews (1882, p. 80) gives the same date. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 53
    3. 9 October, 1873 Cassopolis. About two hundred early settlers met at the courthouse to organize the Cass County Pioneer Society. Mathews (1882, p. 140) agrees. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 349
    4. 14 October, 1863 Cassopolis. The Board of Supervisors first incorporated Cassopolis as a village. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 150
    5. 15 October, 1863 Berrien Springs. Berrien Springs became an incorporated village. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 283
    6. 19 October, 1897 Cassopolis. The Cass County Board of Supervisors acted at its regular session to build a new courthouse. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 208
    7. 23 October, 1895 Marcellus. The Isabella Club of Marcellus was organized. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 345

    November

    1. 7 November, 1873 Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor Grange was instituted with thirty charter members. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 195
    2. 16 November, 1831 South Bend. The Northwestern Pioneer, South Bend's first newspaper, issued its first number. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 520
    3. 18 November, 1865 Bainbridge. A Protestant Methodist church was organized at Bainbridge (Spink's Corners). History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 222
    4. 22 November, 1874 Cassopolis. The new Methodist church at Cassopolis was dedicated. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 170
    5. 28 November, 1870 Cassopolis. The rails of the Air Line railroad reached Cassopolis. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 80

    December

    1. 8 December, 1835 Niles. A public meeting at Niles called for a free bridge at Main Street. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 159
    2. 10 December, 1876 South Bend. A German congregation in South Bend dedicated its second church building. History of St. Joseph County, Indiana (Chapman, 1880), p. 885
    3. 18 December, 1854 Dowagiac. Dowagiac's citizens met to organize the village fire department. Mathews, History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), p. 197
    4. 18 December, 1858 Dowagiac. The Universalist society of Dowagiac was organized. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 387
    5. 29 December, 1872 Marcellus. The Evangelical church building in Marcellus village was dedicated. Mathews (1882) gives the same date. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906), p. 387
    6. 30 December, 1857 Three Oaks. Henry Chamberlain made the first plat of the village of Three Oaks. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 336
    7. 30 December, 1873 Hagar Township. Home Grange was organized at the house of Michael Smith in Hagar Township. History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan (D. W. Ensign, 1880), p. 350

    From Rogers’s History of Cass County (1875), Mathews’s History of Cass County, Michigan (1882), Glover’s Twentieth Century History of Cass County (1906), the History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties (1880), and Chapman’s histories of St. Joseph County, Indiana (1880) and Elkhart County, Indiana (1881), read in the Internet Archive’s copies. Where two books disagree on a date, the entry says so. The books themselves can be wrong; see the sources shelf.