New Buffalo in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

New Buffalo Welcome Center

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

1. New Buffalo Welcome Center Marker

Inscription. The nation’s first Highway Travel Information center opened on May 4, 1935, on US-12 at New Buffalo, not far from here. Other states followed Michigan’s lead, and by 1985 there were 251 travel information centers across the nation. The New Buffalo center was built by the Michigan State Highway Department, now the Michigan Department of Transportation, to welcome motorists entering the state via US-12. It was relocated at this site with its more modern building, on April 6, 1972, after the I-94 Freeway was completed. Michigan’s state-wide travel information program, which began in 1935, includes staffed welcome centers and interpretive, promotional and informational displays at rest areas and roadside parks across the state.

Erected 1986 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1256.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1972.

Location. 41° 45.9′ N, 86° 44.436′ W. Marker is in New

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Buffalo, Michigan, in Berrien County. It is on Interstate 94. The Welcome Center is just past the state line (leaving Indiana, entering Michigan). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Buffalo MI 49117, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan

and specifically in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Iron Brigade / The Twenty-Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Eisenhower Interstate System (a few steps from this marker); Michigan Lighthouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Avoiding Removal - The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Importance of Water for Neshnabék

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 4, 2024

2. New Buffalo Welcome Center Marker

The marker has been grouped with several others near the parking lot.

(approx. 2.4 miles away); 9:03 a.m. September 11th 2001 (approx. 3 miles away); 8:46 a.m. September 11th 2001 (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Buffalo.

Another marker is no longer nearby. West Michigan Pike (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. It is a very nice Welcome Center. It has several markers and plaques, a large lighthouse in honor of Michigan’s many lighthouses and a large playground for travel-weary children (and their parents!).