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ART

 

MAGIC MOMENTS  

Fine scrapbooking materials.  Also offer classes and group events. 


104 W. Chicago Road, Sturgis
(269) 651-4300 

www.magicmomentscrapbook.com  
 

 

MAGIC MOMENTS  

Fine scrapbooking materials.  Also offer classes and group events. 


104 W. Chicago Road, Sturgis
(269) 651-4300 

www.magicmomentscrapbook.com  
 

OPEN DOOR GALLERY

Original artwork and unique gifts from regional artists. A community Minded art center with classes for all ages, student shows, guest artists and exhibits.  Sturgis ART BOUNCE host in January, April, July and October.  Special holiday events.  Call for hours.

 

101 West Chicago Rd, Sturgis
269-659-9977

www.opendoorgallerysturgis.org

 

  OPEN DOOR GALLERY CLASSES

All classes need a minimum of 2 students.  Registration and payment required 1 week prior to class date. 

New schedule will be posted when available.

 

 

 

THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY PLAYERS

Check our website for more details, costs and show times!

 

15526 Millard Rd, Three Rivers

269-273-1121

www.trcommunityplayers.org

 

 

 

 HISTORY


St. Joseph derives its name from the river which bisects the county, named by La Salle for the patron saint of New France.  The region was occupied in prehistoric times by the "Mound Builders", and later, the Potawatomie and Miami Tribes.  Pioneers were drawn to the area by the fertile prairie lands, which were well-suited for agriculture.  The first settlements were established in Sturgis, Mottville, and White Pigeon between 1826 and 1827.  Logging helped improve the land for agriculture, and the first crop to be sown was wheat.  Harvested crops were shipped via the St. Joseph River. 

Many historic trails and river trails cross here!  These trails were used for centuries by Native American tribes, by the French adventurer LaSalle and the French trappers, by the English and some now form the routes of our busiest highways.  The Heritage Water Trail charts the course of these travelers along the mighty St Joseph River.

St Joseph County Historical Society

Open to all interested persons of all ages.  Meeting the 3rd Sunday of each month at the historical Museum, 113 E. Main St, Centreville, with a catered lunch at 1:00 pm and speaker following.  Check the River Country website calendar listing for updates or changes. The White Pigeon Land Office (circa 1830) is open by appointment; call 269-483-7122 to arrange.

  

Camel Back Bridge

Built in 1922.  Made of three identical 90 foot spans that total 270 feet.  Longest Michigan example of a reinforced, concrete camelback bridge.  Today, the bridge is a pedestrian walkway crossing the St. Joseph River.  Located along U.S. 12, Downtown Mottville.

 

Historic Village of Constantine

Dates back to 1825 with various architectural styles, including Greek Revival, Gothic, and Italianate.  Specialty shops are located in this historic village.

 

 

Historic Downtown Three Rivers

Main Street, circa 1870 – National & State Historic Registers.  Antique shops, restaurants, art galleries, artists studios, and a book and a children’s store you won’t want to miss. 
(269) 278-8193

 

 

 

Langley Covered Bridge

Constructed in 1887.  Longest of Michigan’s remaining covered bridges.  Made of three spans totaling 282 feet.  State Historic Register.  Covered Bridge Road, Three miles North of M-86 in Centreville

 

Marantette House

Michigan Register of Historic Places. 
Simpson Road, Mendon

 

Mendon Village

Located in northeastern S. Joseph County on M-60, Mendon is home to several historic landmarks. The Marantette House on Simpson Road is listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Places and the Mendon Country Inn was once a stagecoach inn, dating back to 1843.  Nine Amish districts surround the village, and antique and artsy-craftsy shops are located in the quaint downtown.  Situated on the banks overlooking the St. Joseph River, canoeing is popular here and there are several landings dotted along the waterway.

 

Morse-Scoville House

Michigan Register of Historic Places. 
685 South Washington, Constantine

 

Nottawa Stone School

Dates back to 1870 and was originally of frame construction.  Later rebuilt in stone.  The building was used as a public school until 1961. Today it is a museum.  National & State Historic Registers – Tours by appointment. 
26456 East M-86, Nottawa
(269) 467-5400

 

Old New York Central Railroad Depot

Built in 1893 – State Historic Register.  Today it is home
to the Sturgis Historical Society Museum and the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce.  Call to arrange tours. 
West Main Street, Sturgis
(269) 651-3990

 

St. Joseph County Courthouse

Michigan Register of Historic Places. 
125 West Main Street, Centreville

Sue Silliman House

Michigan Register of Historic Places. 

This brick structure was built in the 1870's by Arthur Silliman, an early pioneer to the area, who came to Three Rivers in 1847.  The lower level of the building served as Silliman's blacksmith shop and the upper stories served his family.  Near this site a Potawattomi Indian trail crossed the St. Joseph River.  the confluence of the St Joseph, Portage and Rocky Rivers at this site gave Three Rivers its name.
116 South Main Street, Three Rivers

 

U.S. Government Land Office

Third land office to be opened in the state of Michigan – National and State Historic Registers. Served St. Joseph County from 1831-1834.  This building has been restored as a museum.  Open weekends in the summer. 
111 West Chicago Road (U.S. 12), White Pigeon
(269) 483-7122

 

Wahbememe Burial Site and Monument

Michigan Register of Historic Places. 

Potawatomi Chief Wahbememe (White Pigeon) was a signer of the 1796 Treaty of Greenville, which placed Michigan Great Lakes forts in U.S. hands.  The chief was known as a fried to the white settlers in Michigan.  According to legend, while attending a gathering of chiefs in Detroit, Wahbememe heard of a plot to attack the settlement that became known as White Pigeon.  The story states that he immediately set out on foot, running nearly 150 miles across the state without stopping for food or rest to alert the village.  After warning of the impending danger, he collapsed from exhaustion and soon died.  His remains are buried on this site.
Junction of US-12 and US-131, Mottville Township.

 

W.R. Monroe Museum

Traveling exhibits of national renown on science, history and culture.  Admission.  Tue-Sat 10am – 4pm, Sun 1pm – 5pm.  Museum hours extended during popular exhibits. 
107 Main Street, Three Rivers
(269) 273-8882

 

More Information 


Interested in a complete history of St. Joseph County?  Please visit this historical Web site!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

© 2004 by River Country Tourism, All Rights Reserved.