List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Van Buren County facts for kids

Location of Van Buren County in Michigan

Van Buren County in Michigan is home to many special places called Michigan State Historic Sites. These are buildings, areas, or objects that the state of Michigan has decided are very important to its history. They help us remember and learn about the past.

Some of these sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to the history of the entire United States, not just Michigan! If you see a little dagger symbol (†) next to a site's name, it means it's on both lists.

Exploring Historic Sites in Van Buren County

Van Buren County has many interesting historic sites. Let's look at some of them and discover why they are special. These places tell stories about how people lived, worked, and built communities long ago.

Homes of Important People

Some historic sites are homes where famous or important people once lived. These houses often show us what life was like in different times.

Liberty Hyde Bailey Birthplace

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Birthplace† is in South Haven. Liberty Hyde Bailey was a very famous botanist, which means he studied plants. He was also a pioneer in agricultural science. This house helps us remember his early life and how he became such an important scientist. It was listed as a historic site on January 18, 1963.

Barnum-Harrison House

The Barnum-Harrison House, also known as the Aaron Harrison House, is located near Paw Paw. This old house tells us about the families who lived there and how homes were built in the past. It became a historic site on September 17, 1981.

Lyman A Fitch House

The Lyman A Fitch House is near Mattawan. This house is a reminder of the people who settled and built up the area. It was recognized as a historic place on May 13, 1981.

Community Buildings and Public Spaces

Many historic sites are buildings that were important to the community, like schools, churches, and town halls. These places were where people gathered, learned, and made decisions together.

County Poor House

The County Poor House is located near Hartford. In the past, "poor houses" were places where people who didn't have homes or enough money could live and get help. This building shows us how communities used to care for their less fortunate members. It was listed on November 21, 1975.

Covert Library

The Covert Library, also called Packard Hall, is in Covert. This building used to be a library, a place for learning and reading. Today, it's used as the Covert Historical Museum, which means it still helps people learn about the past! It became a historic site on August 15, 1975.

Decatur Township Hall

The Decatur Township Hall is in Decatur. Township halls are important buildings where local government meetings happen and community decisions are made. This hall has been a central part of Decatur for a long time. It was listed on August 3, 1979.

First Congregational Churches

There are two First Congregational Church buildings listed as historic sites in Van Buren County. One is in Lawrence and the other in Covert. Churches often play a big role in a community's history, serving as places of worship and gathering spots. Both churches were recognized on August 3, 1979.

Hamilton Grange Hall

The Hamilton Grange Hall is in Decatur. Grange halls were meeting places for farmers and their families. They were important for social events, education, and discussing farming techniques. This hall became a historic site on September 13, 2002.

Hartman School

The Hartman School is in South Haven. Old school buildings like this one remind us of how education has changed over the years. It was listed on June 23, 1983.

Indiana School

Another historic school is the Indiana School in South Haven. This building also tells a story about the history of education in the area. It was recognized on June 15, 1984.

Lawrence Town Hall

The Lawrence Town Hall is in Lawrence. Like the Decatur Township Hall, this building has been a center for local government and community life in Lawrence. It became a historic site on November 14, 1974.

Olds/Merriman House

The Olds/Merriman House in Hartford is now used as the Hartford Public Library. It's cool how old homes can be given new life and continue to serve the community! This house was listed on July 29, 1980.

Paw Paw City Hall

The Paw Paw City Hall† is in Paw Paw. This building is another example of a historic place where important city decisions have been made for many years. It was recognized on December 19, 1971.

Paw Paw Public Library

The Paw Paw Public Library is also in Paw Paw. Libraries are special places that hold knowledge and stories. This historic library has served the community for a long time. It was listed on June 6, 2002.

St. Mark's Church

St. Mark's Church in Paw Paw is another historic church. It's also linked to The Reverend Darius Barker, an important person in the church's history. It became a historic site on January 22, 1987.

Scott Club

The Scott Club is in South Haven. Clubs like this were often important social centers where people could meet, learn, and enjoy activities together. It was listed on April 21, 1980.

Van Buren County Courthouse Complex

The Van Buren County Courthouse Complex† in Paw Paw is a very important group of buildings. Courthouses are where laws are upheld and justice is served. This complex has been a central part of the county's legal system for many years. It was recognized on November 7, 1977.

Other Interesting Historic Sites

Van Buren County also has sites that highlight unique aspects of its history, from transportation to local industries.

Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad Bloomingdale Depot

The Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad Bloomingdale Depot is in Bloomingdale. Train depots were once bustling places where people traveled and goods were shipped. This depot reminds us of the importance of railroads in connecting communities. It was listed on June 20, 1985.

Marshall's Store

Marshall's Store† in Lawrence is a historic commercial building. Old stores like this show us what shopping and business were like in earlier times. It became a historic site on September 10, 1979.

Marsland-Kenilworth Resort

The Marsland-Kenilworth Resort is in South Haven. Resorts were popular places for people to relax and vacation, especially in areas with beautiful natural surroundings. This resort tells us about the history of tourism in the region. It was listed on December 20, 1989.

Paw Paw Water Works Pumping Station

The Paw Paw Water Works Pumping Station in Paw Paw is an example of important infrastructure. This station helped provide clean water to the town, which was a huge step forward for public health. It was recognized on July 17, 1981.

Rush Lake Indian Cemetery

The Rush Lake Indian Cemetery is near Hartford. This cemetery is a sacred burial place, including that of Simon Pokagon, a famous chief of the Potawatomi Indians. It is a very important site for understanding the history of Native American people in Michigan. It was listed on April 20, 1989.

Territorial Road

The Territorial Road Informational Designation near Paw Paw marks a historic road. Old roads like this were vital for travel and trade before modern highways existed. This designation helps us remember the early routes that connected different parts of Michigan. It was recognized on September 17, 1957.

West Michigan Summer Resorts / Jewish Resorts

The West Michigan Summer Resorts / Jewish Resorts Informational Designation in South Haven tells a unique story. This area was known for its summer resorts, and many of them catered specifically to Jewish families. This site highlights an important part of the area's social and cultural history. It was listed on April 19, 2009.

Images for kids

Liberty Hyde Bailey Birthplace
Barnum-Harrison House (Aaron Harrison House)
County Poor House
Packard Hall (Covert Library)
Decatur Town Hall
First Congregational Church in Lawrence
First Congregational Church of Covert
Hamilton Grange Hall
Hartman School
Houppert Winery Complex
Indiana School
Kalamazoo & South Haven Depot
Lawrence Town Hall
Marshall's Store
Marsland-Kenilworth Resort
Olds-Merriman House (Hartford Public Library)
Paw Paw City Hall
Paw Paw Public Library
Paw Paw Water Works Pumping Station
Rush Lake Indian Cemetery - Burial Place of Simon Pokagon, Chief of the Potawatomi Indians
St. Mark's Church
Scott Club
Territorial Road
Van Buren County Courthouse Complex
Issac Watts Willard Informational Designation
West Michigan Summer Resorts / Jewish Resorts Informational Designation