Cassopolis, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cassopolis, Michigan
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Village
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Cass County Courthouse in Cassopolis
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| Nickname(s):
AmstutzVille
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Location within Cass County
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 Cassopolis, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Michigan | |
| County | Cass | |
| Townships | LaGrange and Penn | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Village council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.23 sq mi (5.79 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.01 sq mi (5.21 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.22 sq mi (0.58 km2) | |
| Elevation | 889 ft (271 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,712 | |
| • Density | 851.32/sq mi (328.70/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code(s) |
49031
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| Area code(s) | 269 | |
| FIPS code | 26-13900 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0622860 | |
Cassopolis is a small village in the state of Michigan, USA. It is the main town, also known as the county seat, for Cass County. The village is mostly in LaGrange Township, with a small part in Penn Township.
Both the village and the county are named after Lewis Cass. He was an important U.S. senator from Michigan before the American Civil War. Cassopolis is part of a larger area called Michiana, which includes cities like South Bend in Indiana. In 2020, about 1,712 people lived here.
Contents
Discovering Cassopolis History
How Cassopolis Began
Cassopolis was first planned out by European Americans in 1831. Even before it was officially a village, it was chosen as the county seat. This means it was the main town for the county's government. The village officially became a village in 1863. Over time, the area became known for farming and some local businesses.
The Underground Railroad Connection
Cassopolis played a special role in history as a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network of safe houses and routes. It helped enslaved people from the Southern states escape to freedom in the North or in Canada. People who supported this cause, called sympathizers, helped these brave individuals.
Some people who escaped continued their journey to Canada. This was to avoid being caught under a law from 1850 called the Fugitive Slave Law. This law made it easier for slave catchers to find and return escaped slaves. However, many African Americans and people of mixed heritage chose to stay and build new lives in Cass County.
Land for a New Community
In the 1960s, a group of African Americans bought about 1,000 acres of farmland in the area. This project was led by a man who had actually gone to Cassopolis High School.
Exploring Cassopolis Geography
Cassopolis covers an area of about 2.25 square miles (5.79 square kilometers). Most of this is land, about 2.00 square miles (5.21 square kilometers). The rest, about 0.25 square miles (0.58 square kilometers), is water.
The village is also connected to Diamond Lake. This is the biggest lake in southwestern Michigan. It's a popular spot for water activities.
Cassopolis Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 379 | — | |
| 1870 | 728 | — | |
| 1880 | 912 | 25.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,369 | 50.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,330 | −2.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,358 | 2.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,385 | 2.0% | |
| 1930 | 1,448 | 4.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,488 | 2.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,527 | 2.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,027 | 32.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,108 | 4.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,933 | −8.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,822 | −5.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,740 | −4.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,774 | 2.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,712 | −3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Cassopolis?
According to the 2020 census, 1,712 people live in Cassopolis. In 2010, there were 1,774 people. The village has a mix of different backgrounds. About 60% of the people were White, and about 29% were African American. There were also smaller groups of Native American, Asian, and other backgrounds. About 4.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Learning in Cassopolis
Cassopolis Public Schools
The Cassopolis Public School District serves the village and nearby areas. This district includes several schools for different age groups:
- Ross Beatty High School (grades 9-12)
- Squires Middle School (grades 6-8)
- Sam Adams Elementary School
In 2020, the junior and senior high schools were separated. Ross Beatty High School now teaches students from ninth to twelfth grade. Squires Middle School is for students in sixth through eighth grade.
Cass District Library
The main branch of the Cass District Library is located right in Cassopolis. There is also a Local History Branch in Cassopolis. Other library branches are in nearby towns like Howard, Edwardsburg, and Mason / Union.
Famous People from Cassopolis
Many interesting people have connections to Cassopolis:
- Dennis Archer: He grew up in Cassopolis. He became the 67th Mayor of Detroit. He also served as a Michigan Supreme Court justice and was president of the American Bar Association.
- Ruth Alice Armstrong: A social activist who worked to make positive changes in society.
- Iven Kincheloe: A famous test pilot and aviation pioneer. He grew up in Cassopolis.
- Kevin Loder: A professional basketball player. He played for the Kansas City Kings and the San Diego Clippers. He was born in Cassopolis.
- Ed Lowe: The person who invented cat litter. He also grew up in Cassopolis.
See also
In Spanish: Cassopolis para niños
