Buchanan Township in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Moccasin Bluff
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 9, 2023
1. Moccasin Bluff Marker
People have lived on the terrace between Moccasin Bluff and the St. Joseph River for eight thousand years. The first inhabitants stayed in small temporary camps as early as 6300 B.C. The residents of A.D. 500 traded with groups in Indiana and Illinois. Those living here 600 to 900 years ago farmed and had more permanent villages. In 1977 Moccasin Bluff was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its archaeological importance.
As white settlers began to farm and log the St. Joseph River Valley in the late 1820s, the federal government adopted a policy of moving local Potawatomi Indians west. This bluff is said to be named for Cogomoccasin, leader of one of the permanent Potawatomi villages. Riverboats were the valleys main source of transportation until, in 1881, the St. Joseph Valley Railroad was constructed along the route that became the Red Bud Trail.
Erected 1987 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1437.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.
Location.
this page online
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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods (approx. 1.6 miles away); Buchanan Downtown (approx. 1.7 miles away); Downtown Buchanan National Register Historic District / Downtown Buchanan Arts & Historic District (approx. 1.7 miles away); Pears Mill (approx. 1.7 miles away); Carey Mission (approx. 4.7 miles away); Portage Prairie United Methodist Church (approx. 4.9 miles away); Johnson Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away); Saint Marys (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buchanan.
Also see . . . Moccasin Bluff. Excerpt:
The Moccasin Bluff site (also designated 20BE8) is an archaeological site located along the Red Bud Trail and the St. Joseph River north of Buchanan, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and has been classified as a multi-component prehistoric site with the major component dating to the Late Woodland/Upper Mississippian period.(Submitted on March 9, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 9, 2023
2. Moccasin Bluff Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 9, 2023
3. Moccasin Bluff Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 9, 2023
4. Moccasin Bluff
This is the view from the marker looking out at the bluff onto the St. Joseph River.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,183 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
