Berrien Springs in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Log by Log History was Made Here
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 Berrien County. Marker can be reached from North Cass Street. The marker is in front of the log cabin which is directly behind the old courthouse and museum building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 N Cass St, Berrien Springs MI 49103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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.)
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 74 times since then and 21 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.