Berrien Springs in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Log by Log History was Made Here
Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 5, 2023
1. Log by Log History was Made Here Marker
Built in 1829 by Francis Murdock, the two story log cabin is the oldest home in Berrien County and of the five oldest homes still in existence in the state of Michigan. Murdock, a lawyer, was one of the first to argue a case in the new county courthouse and his donation of land allowed for the courthouse to be built. The family remained in the home for a number of decades before selling it. By the time of the Civil War, a modern exterior was added to the building and it was expanded.
The family and subsequent owners continued to expand on the old farm house and its log cabin bones were forgotten until 1968 when the home was slated for demolition and its historic secret uncovered. The house, which was over on Kephart Road here in Berrien Springs, remained on the site until 1973, while the County and the Berrien County Historical Commission figured out what to do with it. That year, the building was moved to the Courthouse Square and restored.
Erected by Berrien Community Foundation and the Berrien Springs Area Endowment Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 41° 56.88′ N, 86° 20.481′ W. Marker is in Berrien Springs, Michigan, in
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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1870 Berrien County Jail (a few steps from this marker); Berrien Springs Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Berrien County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrews University (approx. 1.1 miles away); Union Church and Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); Morris Chapel Church (approx. 5.7 miles away); Moccasin Bluff (approx. 6.9 miles away); Johnson Cemetery (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berrien Springs.
Also see . . . Berrien County Historical Association. Home of the oldest county courthouse in Michigan.
Murdock Cabin reminder: The cabin remains closed to the public when the temperature is under 40*F during the winter. Please plan accordingly.(Submitted on June 23, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)
Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 5, 2023
2. Log by Log History was Made Here Marker and Cabin
Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 5, 2023
3. History of the Murdoch family. Posted inside the log cabin.
In 1830, Francis and Eliza Murdoch arrived in the area to take up a plot of land given to the couple by Eliza's father, landowner George Kimmel. The couple arrived with their year old son, George, in tow.
Francis was one of three men who platted Berrien Springs the following year and by the time the Murdochs left the area in 1835, the town was bustling. It was reported the now-family of four was heading south to tend to Eliza's health, but they made it no farther than Ohio, where she died that same year.
Francis eventually remarried and had several more children, moving first to St. Louis and then to San Jose, where it seems he gave up law to run a newspaper. He died in 1882.
It is alleged that Francis was the first lawyer to help Dred Scott file his now famous case and while research cannot 100% confirm it, the likelihood of two Francis B. Murdoch/Murdocks practicing law in St. Louis at the same time is incredibly slim.
Francis was one of three men who platted Berrien Springs the following year and by the time the Murdochs left the area in 1835, the town was bustling. It was reported the now-family of four was heading south to tend to Eliza's health, but they made it no farther than Ohio, where she died that same year.
Francis eventually remarried and had several more children, moving first to St. Louis and then to San Jose, where it seems he gave up law to run a newspaper. He died in 1882.
It is alleged that Francis was the first lawyer to help Dred Scott file his now famous case and while research cannot 100% confirm it, the likelihood of two Francis B. Murdoch/Murdocks practicing law in St. Louis at the same time is incredibly slim.
Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 5, 2023
4. The History Center at Courthouse Square where the log cabin is located.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 23, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
