The town of Buchanan was named by a miller, John Hamilton, who platted and recorded it in the county seat at Berrien Springs in 1842.  Hamilton chose the name in honor of Senator James Buchanan of Pennsylvania, who later became the 15th President of the United States.  He had taken the side of the Territory of Michigan when it was battling for statehood from 1835 to 1937.

Buchanan was incorporated March 3, 1858, when a sudden growth of the town required some attention in the way of improving primitive utilities, streets, sidewalks, and fire control, and to insure that peace and safety of the growing settlement.  The population at the time of incorporation was reported to be about 860.

There is a history here in southwest Michigan...of growth and prosperity and heritage.  Around each corner, in Buchanan and its surrounding towns, historical markers tell this part of the state's enduring story.  Discovering its story - can only inspire one to start their own, right here in our town.

Arts and culture is another wonderful aspect of our community here is Buchanan.  The Buchanan Art Center established in 2004, offers monthly art exhibits and art classes and hold an extensive ceramic program for the public.  The Tin Shop Theatre run by the Buchanan Area Fine Arts Council offers summer plays and children’s workshops.  Buchanan’s Common Outdoor Theatre offers seasonal concerts and elementary summer programs for children of all ages.

Buchanan Area Fine Arts Council www.cityofbuchanan.com The Buchanan Area Fine Arts Council meets on the first Monday of each month to develop numerous programs that foster all forms of arts and culture such as exhibitions and concerts for citizens of all ages.  The council works hard to instill a love for the arts within the entire community of the city of Buchanan.
Buchanan Art Center * 117 W. Front Street Buchanan, MI 49107 269/697-4005 www.buchananartcenter.org A place for art and artists.  The Buchanan Art Center has provided art enthusiasts with a variety of classes taught by area artisans and has served as a venue to showcase artists from within the community and beyond.  An active organization with the city of Buchanan, the center has sponsored numerous events and continues to leave their artistic mark on the city and all who step through their doors. Experience fine works of art at the Buchanan Art Center. The 2009 Gallery Schedule includes works by area artists such as mixed media exhibits, photography, acrylics, sculpture, fractals, and more! Summer classes are available…contact the Art Center for more information.
Buchanan Common Theatre * Located at Days Ave and Roe Street Buchanan, MI 49107 269/695-3844 www.cityofbuchanan.cam Live music, outdoor screenings of some of your favorite movies, the Buchanan Common is at the heart of the city’s events and a reminder of the entertainment available right in the center of town.  This outdoor amphitheater is also home to the city’s summer concert series.
Buchanan Preservation Society Pears Flour & Grist Mill 121 South Oak Street Buchanan, MI 49107 Phone: 269-695-2057
The Pears Mill Museum * P.O. Box 357 Buchanan MI 49107 Located in the Buchanan Common Area (Between Oak St. & Days Ave. behind the Buchanan District Library) 269/695-9758 Visit Pears Mill and learn how flour is made… Owned by the Downtown Development Authority, and operated by the Buchanan Preservation Society, the mill is open Saturdays during May from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Open for Memorial Day 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. New this year, come join us for Regional History Day on Saturday, June 27, 2009 and learn about the history of our region.
The Tin Shop Theatre * Located at Days Ave and Roe Street Buchanan, MI 49107 269/695/6464 www.tinshoptheatre.org Enjoy theatrical productions at the historic Tin Shop Theater. The 2009 season features “Everybody Loves Opal” (Kelly Carlin) June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14; Children’s Workshop “Alice in Wonderland” June 8,9 & 10; Two oneact plays “My Sister is Dead” by Esther Watts and “Loose Change” by David Pitts, August 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 & 16; “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” (Brant Beckett) September 10, 12, 13, 17, 19 & 20, and “Murder is in the Heir” (Sam Blevins) October 8, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18.
The Acorn Theater 107 Generations Drive Three Oaks, MI 269/756-3879 www.acorntheater.com This historical structure, built 100 years ago has housed several events and featured countless performers on its stage.  Be a part of its history when the theater offers its summer concerts and live music, which has been bringing in audiences from throughout Michiana and beyond.
Box Factory for the Arts 1101 Broad Street St. Joseph, MI 269/983-3688 More than just an art center, one might say, St. Joseph's Box Factory for the Arts is a unique venue boasting three art galleries, live entertainment, offerings of art classes and instruction and a roster of 37 artists in studio.  Stop at the Guild Gift Shop after spending time at this favorite spot among area artists.
The Chapin Mansion 508 E. Main Street Niles, MI 49120 269/683-4700 The Chapin Mansion has been an integral part of the history of the city of Niles – and continues to be – as evident in the fact that it is home to Niles’ City Hall.  The hallmarks of the structure can still be seen in the hand-carved woodwork, stained glass and carefully stenciled ceilings.  The 13 room mansion now houses the inner workings of the city’s local government while remaining a beautiful and part of its landscape.  Just off the mansion is the Fort St. Joseph Museum.
Carnegie Library (Four Flags Area Council on Tourism & Chamber of Commerce) 321 East Main Street Niles, MI 49120 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.fourflagsarea.org This historical structure bearing the Carnegie family name was built in a classical revival style in 1902.  It has been registered with the state as an official historic site and now serves as home to the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and the Four Flags Area Council on Tourism.  Beautifully built, the Carnegie Library lives on fostering economic growth within the city of Niles and providing a place where visitors can find all they’ll need to know about the beautiful state of Michigan.
College Football Hall of Fame 111 S. St. Joseph Street South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 800-440-FAME This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.collegefootball.org Before they achieved notoriety in national leagues or retired their coaching titles, they were legends within the world of college football.  Located in the heart of downtown South Bend, Ind., the College Football Hall of Fame is where athletes and coaches and the best plays of your favorite games live on forever.  One of the city’s most honored attractions, the College Football Hall of Fame also serves as a stately and unique place for events, concerts and more.
Father Allouez Grave Site East side of Bond Street (just before the boat launch) Niles, MI 49120 The city of Niles has a strong history that goes back hundreds of years.  Located just near the boat launch along the St. Joseph River on Bond Street, this historical grave site honors the late Father Allouez, the first Jesuit missionary on record within the Niles area, arriving in 1683.
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve * 13988 Range Line Road Niles, MI (near Buchanan) 269/695-6491 www.fernwoodbotanical.org The surrounding beauty of Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is just the beginning.  This environmentally aesthetic attraction also features a full slate of artistic and garden themed programs, an art gallery and gift shop as well as a nature center, fern house and a café featuring the culinary creations of chef Tim Carrigan.  Winter, spring, summer or fall – there’s always something to see, something to discover at Fernwood.
Ferry Street School 620 Ferry Street Niles, MI 49120 269/683-4702 Inside what is now home to the Ferry Street School Community Resource Center, the sound of footsteps on age-old hardwood floors echo with the unmistakable sound of history.  This historic schoolhouse located in Niles still provides educational and cultural activities to area youth and continues to build on a tradition of community outreach.
Fort St. Joseph Museum 508 East Main Street Niles, MI 49120 Phone: 269-683-4702 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.ci.niles.mi.us Don’t let the size of this museum, located just off the historic Chapin Mansion in Niles, fool you.  Inside is a treasure trove of the city’s history.  One of the most prized collections at the museum, an exhibit of 12 pictographs done by the hand of famed Native American Chief Sitting Bull.  Several members of the city’s history, from artists and writers to politicians live on among the collections at the museum and as the Niles’ history continues to be discovered at the archeological Fort St. Joseph dig site the museum continues to embrace it and protect it.
Harbor Arts 107 Generations Drive Three Oaks, MI 269/756-3879 This non-profit organization champions every avenue of artistry throughout the Harbor County community.  Harbor Arts brings together writers, performing artists and musicians to present a world of creative thought and action to the people within its community.  Learn more about Radio Harbor Country, Opera at the Acorn and the Festival of Lights through Harbor Arts.
The History Center at Courthouse Square 313 N. Cass Street P.O. Box 261 Berrien Springs, MI 49104 269/471-1202 www.berrienhistory.org Open throughout the year, the History Center at Courthouse Square brings some of the areas most significant locations back to life.  The Berrien County Historical Association maintains the center which includes a sheriff’s residence and jail circa 1870 and a courthouse dating back to 1839.  In addition to featuring works by local artisans, the history center also includes a special place for archives, museum and a museum store.
Krasl Art Center 707 Lake Blvd. St. Joseph, MI 269/983-0271 The ‘art-beat’ of St. Joseph Michigan, the Krasl Art Center fosters all forms of art throughout its community and reaches beyond city and state lines welcoming artisans and art enthusiasts to the famed Krasl Art Fair, held on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan each summer.  Unique gifts can be found at the art center’s gift shop, just around the corner from its main gallery and exhibits.  From photography to ceramics – there is a multitude of choice in classes to take part in at Krasl, where art reigns.
Log Cabin Society of Michigan 3503 Rock Edwards Drive Sodus, MI 49126-8700 269-925-3836 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.qtm.net/logcabincrafts The Log Cabin Society of Michigan is a not-for-profit organization, the members of which are part of a mission to preserve the importance Michigan log cabins.  This organization is behind the Michigan Log Cabin Survey and an annual Log Cabin Day Festival.
The Natural History Museum at Andrews University 100 Old US-31 Hwy Berrien Springs MI 49104 269/471-3243 Located in Berrien Springs on the campus of one of the areas most respected educational institutions, Andrews University's Natural History Museum is located in the Science Complex at the college's Berrien Springs campus.  This museum is home to over 30,000 marine shells, 1,400 mammals as well as birds and botanical specimens.  View the most complete skeleton of a wooly mammoth in Michigan.  Hours are Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.– noon.
Newton House Museum Located 7 miles east of Dowagiac on Marcellus Hwy. Dowagiac, MI 49047 Phone: 269-782-3239 Land and home come together to define the Newton House Museum.  This two story Quaker home has been restored to exhibit its natural beauty and characteristics of the 19th Century*.  Not only home to architectural beauty and significance, the Newton House Museum is also home to black walnut timberland.
Niles Railroad Depot Just off of 5th Street North of Downtown Niles, MI 49120 The steaming locomotive has had an historical impact throughout the city of Niles.  But it is the Niles Railroad Depot, which is still a fully functioning Amtrak railroad stop, which has garnered the attention of residents, visitors and even Hollywood scenic spotters.  This beautiful Romanesque structure was built in the 1890s, near the turn of the century and continues to be an active backdrop to several community events.
Old Rugged Cross Historic Site Pokagon, MI Phone: 269-683-4540 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.the-oldruggedcross.org The Old Rugged Cross site in Niles has found new life through restoration that was put into effect to highlight this historic spot where Rev. George Bernard presented a hymn of the same name.  The site is available for tours.
Pioneer Log Cabin Museum Located on M-60 near Stone Lake. Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: 269-445-2965 The idea of old fashioned country heritage lives within the walls of the Pioneer Log Cabin Museum.  Peruse handmade quilts and dolls from significant periods of Michigan’s history as well as historic farm equipment.
Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Museum 9047 Old US 31, Apple Valley Plaza Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI 49104 Phone: 269-471-3273 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.andrews.edu/ARCHAEOLOGY Also located in Berrien Springs at Andrews University, within the Institute of Archaeology, this museum features exhibits of findings from ongoing excavations.  These exhibits include artifacts that stretch far beyond Michigan roots to the historical Mesopotamia, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine.
Silverbrook Cemetery 1400 East Main Street Niles, MI 49120 Phone: 269-683-8421 A walk through Silverbrook Cemetery tells the story of the names and lives that have lived in Niles for centuries.  From founding families to Civil War soldiers, the grounds serve as the location of the annual Memorial Day ceremony and the legacies that rest there are kept alive by the Friends of Silverbrook organization.
Studebaker National Museum 201 South Chapin Street South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-235-9714 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.studebakermuseum.org The automobile, throughout its lifetime, has driven innovation and industry in America.  And its journey is preserved at the Studebaker National Museum, located in South Bend, Ind.  Get a look at the carriage that transported President Abraham Lincoln up close.  See a variety of military vehicles and Studebaker models and stop at the museum gift shop and take home a souvenir.
St. Joseph’s Mission Cemetery Madeline St., West of Bond St. Bertrand, MI US-12 Historic Heritage Route www.swmicomm.org/SWMC/US12.htm The St. Joseph’s Mission Cemetery is marked by Madeline Bertrand’s resting place, a stone that stands for the St. Mary’s Academy now in South Bend, which was originally established in Bertrand MI., in 1850.
Vickers Theatre 6 N. Elm Street Three Oaks, MI 269/756-3522 Film enthusiasts can see new pieces of American cinema at Vicker’s Theatre in Three Oaks, MI., where one doesn’t just catch a movie, but has a unique experience.  This historical structure has been restored and boasts a remarkably beautiful interior.