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

Commercial Shipping

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

1. Commercial Shipping Marker

Inscription. Schooners rigged for sailing and steam-driven freighters were once common sights at St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Fruit, lumber, and manufactured goods made up much of the port's early trade. By the 1870s, vessels were regularly carrying thousands of summer "day trippers" from Chicago. These visitors came to enjoy the community's beaches, orchards, and amusement parks, giving rise to a thriving tourist industry.

In the early 20th century, goods increasingly moved by rail and truck, and tourists traveled more by automobile. Still, the harbor's terminals and strategic location remain for bulk freighters carrying cargo in local, regional, and even international trade.

(Lower Left Photo Caption)
Early commercial carriers line the Benton Harbor Ship Canal in the 1890s. Private investors expanded the port in the 1860s by digging the canal, making it one of West Michigan's busiest harbors.
Postcard: The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center

(Upper Right Photo Caption)
A commercial freighter prepares to dock at a St. Joseph shipping terminal, circa 1955.
Photo: The Herald-Palladium

Erected by City of St. Joseph, The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, and the Public History Program at Western Michigan University.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 42° 6.716′ N, 86° 28.823′ W. Marker is in St. Joseph, Michigan, in Berrien County. Marker can be reached from Water Street east of State Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Joseph MI 49085, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Recreational Boating (here, next to this marker); Shipbuilding in the Twin Cities (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Lighthouse Supply Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph Maritime Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Boatbuilding Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph River Swing Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commercial Fishing (about 400 feet away); Creating a Harbor (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Joseph.

More about this marker. The marker is the ninth of 12 interpretive signs along the St. Joseph Maritime Heritage Trail.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are the markers of the St.

Recreational Boating and Commercial Shipping Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

2. Recreational Boating and Commercial Shipping Markers

Joseph Maritime Heritage Trail. To study the markers in their order along the trail, read each marker in the order shown.

Goodrich Steamship Lines Brochure image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

3. Goodrich Steamship Lines Brochure

Close-up of Image on Marker

Benton Harbor Ship Canal, 1890s image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

4. Benton Harbor Ship Canal, 1890s

Close-up of Image on Marker

Commercial Freighter, circa 1955 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

5. Commercial Freighter, circa 1955

Close-up of Image on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.