Benton Harbor

Benton Harbor is a city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Berrien County, Michigan, sitting across the river from St. Joseph. The town spreads along the waterfront and includes older residential districts, industrial zones, and several parks facing the lake.

Settlers established the site in the late 1830s near the Paw Paw River marshes as a trading post and timber processing location. The community renamed itself in the 1860s in honor of a political leader and grew into a center for fruit processing and manufacturing by the late 19th century.

The Arts District in downtown Benton Harbor includes galleries, studios, performance spaces, and creative enterprises that promote local artistic expression.

Interstate highways 94 and 196 link the town to larger metropolitan areas in Michigan and Indiana, while US 31 follows the coastline north and south. Several public parks along the river and lakefront offer walking paths and fishing spots with no admission fee.

The Morton House from 1849 stands as one of the oldest surviving timber homes in southwest Michigan and shows building methods from the early pioneer period. The structure sits near downtown and occasionally opens for tours that offer glimpses into the lives of the first residents.

Location: Berrien County

Elevation above the sea: 180 m

Shares border with: Kalamazoo

Website: http://bhcity.us

GPS coordinates: 42.11667,-86.45417

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:10