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Benton Harbor, MI Area Guide

The population was approximately 11,000 at the 2000 census. Benton Harbor and the City of St. Joseph are known locally as the "Twin Cities". Fair Plain and Benton Heights are unincorporated areas adjacent to Benton Harbor.

Benton Harbor is the administrative home of Whirlpool Corporation, the world's largest producer of home appliances. Sites of interest are Shiloh House, built in 1910, which served as the administration building and men's dormitory for the House of David colony, a communal religious group; Morton House built in 1849 by Eleazar Morton, which now houses a museum; nearby Sarett Nature Center, a 300-acre wildlife sanctuary which offers trails, an interpretative building, and classes, and Jean Klock Park on Lake Michigan. Near Benton Harbor is a large fruit market which replaced the prior fruit market located in the "flats" area of Benton Harbor, which was torn down during an urban renewal project during the 1960s.

History

Benton Harbor began with the purchase of 160 acres of land by Eleazar Morton in a portion of Benton Township. In 1836 he moved his family into a log cabin on high ground west of Ox Creek. Morton and his son, Henry, planted orchards and prospered from the sale of fruit.
To establish a market for the convenience of farmers on the East Side of the Saint Joseph River, Sterne Brunson undertook the building of a mile-long Canal through the wetland between the river and the future Benton Harbor. Because of this venture, the town was founded as Brunson Harbor in 1860.

Brunson Harbor became Benton Harbor in 1865. The new settlement grew rapidly and was incorporated as a village in 1866. The canal had made Benton Harbor a lake port and by the 1870's ships were loading more than 300,000 packages of fruit per year. Sawmills and basket factories lined the canal. The establishment of a high school, a college, a street railway, an opera house and a national bank indicated evidence of rapid growth. By 1891, the time had come for incorporation as a city and a charter was granted by the state legislature.

In 1905 the Benton Harbor Development Company was organized to attract industries to the City. Beginning in the 1960's, Benton Harbor began to decline. Industries and residents moved out of the Benton Harbor due to problems, which were being experienced nationwide in inner-city environments. In 1986 Benton Harbor became the focus of state government attention and was designated as an enterprise zone. This program provides substantial incentives for business location and has become the basis for the renewal of Benton Harbor.

Attractions and Activities

Benton Harbor offers a plethora of great activities for you and your family to participate in. Come visit Slackers Family Fun Center and Laser Tag or the Silver Beach Carousel Museum. If you like the outdoors, Benton Harbor has the best fishing or golfing for you!

Slackers Family Fun Center and Laser Tag

Slackers is a large family fun center of 14,000 square feet with large arcade, party rooms, laser tag and snack bar. It is a safe, fun place with lots of daily specials and group rates.

Silver Beach Carousel Museum

At Silver Beach there are many things to do, one of them being the carousel. Behind the carousel is Michigan’s tallest kaleidoscope and Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone by Curious Kids Museum, an entertaining place for all to explore water exhibits, a climbing wall and traveling exhibits. Next door is the beautiful, new Silver Beach Shadowland Ballroom, where special celebrations and wedding dreams come true. Across the road is the Whirlpool Compass Fountain where you can splash in the mist on warm days.

Risky Business Sportfishing

The Risky Business is a comfortable 30 foot Sea Ray with a 12 foot beam. The boat is equipped with a full stand-up bathroom and a large cockpit area with comfortable seating for your relaxation. All fishing tackle is provided, including rod, reels, and five electric downriggers. Additionally, the Risky Business has a graph, auto-pilot and Loran "C" to help locate the best possible place to fish.

Morton House Museum

The Morton House Museum is a beautiful Greek Revival house, with touches of Queen Anne influences. It was built in 1849 and four generations of the Eleazar Morton family lived here. Henry Morton was one of the three co-founders of Benton Harbor. This is the longest standing home in Benton Harbor and is on the Michigan Historic Homes Registry.

Tabor Hill Wine and Art Gallery

The original Tabor Hill vineyard was established in 1968 and was planted with 27 different grape varieties. One year later, a wine cellar was placed deep in the side of a hill and the winery was constructed from the weathered lumber of an 1863 vintage barn. Thus was Tabor Hill Winery born, nestled in the rolling hills, and overlooking the vineyards and the Lake Michigan dunes beyond.

The production facility now carries a complete line of the most modern wine-making equipment in the state. The once-crowded 1000-square-foot cellar, where our winemaking used to take place, has now grown to over 40,000 feet of state-of-the-art winemaking capability.

Berrien Hills Golf Club

Berrien Hills Golf Club is open to the public. The purchase of this landmark property by a local family in 2006 brought about many positive changes, and carefully preserved the history and tradition that is Berrien Hills. Berrien Hills Golf club offers the highest quality golf experience and intimate atmosphere of a private club, all overlooking the beautiful St. Joseph River. Berrien Hills is ideally located just minutes from downtown St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The clubhouse restaurant is open for lunch and offers full service catering events. Golf Pro Dave Vonk and Superintendent Greg Ellis, as well the rest of the staff, warmly welcome you to play this exceptional golf course at surprisingly reasonable rates. A limited number of memberships and executive waterfront home sites are available.

For a detailed list of activities in the area, please visit http://www.swmichigan.org/entertainment.html

Events

Benton Harbor is home to many spectacular events that will be sure to please your entire family. Come participate in The Blossomtime Festival for a great time with your friends and neighbors. For more events in the area, visit the link below.

The Blossomtime Festival

The Blossomtime Festival will hold its annual parade for youngsters from preschool through middle school age on Thursday, April 29th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Dickinson Stadium, St. Joseph High School.

Leading off the event as Grand Marshals will be the 2010 Bud Prince and Bud Princess, Miss Junior Teen Blossomtime, Miss Teen Blossomtime, their respective courts and the other Bud contestants. Also making an appearance will be Miss Blossomtime and her Court and Mr. Blossomtime and his Court as well as most of the 22 participating community royalty.

For a detailed list of events, please visit http://www.bentonharborcity.com/events.html

For more details about Benton Harbor, MI please visit: http://www.bentonharborcity.com/