St. Joseph in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Immigrants

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 23, 2026

1. Immigrants Marker

Inscription.
At the turn of the 20th century when the great migration from Europe was taking place, many Germans from colonies located in Russia, and other areas of Europe, left their homes and some of them settled in Southwest Michigan. The original houses in this beach area were home to a large number of them. They had a strong work ethic, religious beliefs and customs which they passed on to their children who were sometimes affectionately called “Sand Rabbits” by locals. These immigrants easily adapted to the American culture. They made a great contribution to this community and to all of Southwest Michigan.

Erected by American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 42° 6.512′ N, 86° 29.293′ W. Marker is in St. Joseph, Michigan, in Berrien County. It is on Lake Street close to Market Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 617 Lake St, Saint Joseph MI 49085, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 walking distance of this marker: Pioneer Aviator (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Joseph Maritime Heritage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lighthouses on the Pier (approx. 0.2 miles away); Silver Beach Amusement Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Salle Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lighthouses on the Bluff (approx. ¼ mile away); Eleven Inch Dahlgren (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Silver Beach Amusement Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Joseph.

Also see . . . Russian Germans in North America. Excerpt:

Negatively influenced by the violation of their rights and cultural persecution by the tsar, the Russian Germans who
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 23, 2026

2. Immigrants Marker
settled in the northern Midwest saw themselves as an ethnic group that was separate from Russian Americans and had an entirely different experience from the German Americans who had immigrated from German lands. The Germans from Russia settled in tight-knit communities, which retained their German language and culture.

(Submitted on July 29, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.