Buchanan Berrien Michigan - Top Sights 

• Buchanan Sights – A Trip through the Township in Berrien County
• Buchanan Sights & Attractions
• - Buchanan Historical Museum
• - St. Mary's Catholic Church
• - Riverwalk along the St. Joseph River
• - downtown Main Street
• - Berrien County Fairgrounds
• - Buchanan Community Center

Buchanan Sights – A Trip through the Township in Berrien County

What makes Buchanan sights so special is the unique mix of historical simplicity and a pinch of sublime big-city nerves that you would hardly expect when you look at the map of Berrien County. I remember driving into the small but proud City of Buchanan for the first time – a short trip from I-94, which flows here almost like a quiet river through the township, and suddenly I stood in front of the old town hall, which was built in 1900 and has survived more renovations than I have relationships. The city was named after James Buchanan in 1842, long before he became president at all, and this is felt in the weathered facades that tell of a time when wooden ships still dominated the St. Joseph River.

I have to admit, I don’t understand the hype about the annual “Buchanan Summerfest” – a bit too much popcorn, too little depth – but the people here, who stroll through the main street with a smile on the face and a slight jolt, give the whole a charm that you can’t buy. When you take Highway 12 to get to St. Joseph, you can see that the connection is surprisingly good: a short stop at the local B&B, a short look at the old railway bridge, and you are back in the heart of Buchanan, where life flows leisurely, but never quite still. And yes, if you are looking for authentic Buchanan sights, you should not only look at the famous points, but also the small cafés and the friendly faces that make up the true heart of this city.

Buchanan Sights & Attractions

This guide invites you to discover a small but surprisingly charming spot in the Middle West – Buchanan, City of Buchanan, Michigan. I have to admit, I came here because a friend of mine said it was the “secret mecca for lovers of old court buildings”, and I thought: why not?

My first stop was Buchanan Historical MuseumHoused in the former Berrien County Courthouse. The building itself is a piece of history that immediately gives the feeling of landing in another time with its red brick facade and the high column-like windows. Inside there is a mixture of local artefacts, old photographs and a small but fine collection of objects from the time of prohibition – yes, the city has actually had a bit to do with the smuggling. I found a handwritten note from a former sheriff there, saying that “beer tastes better when you brew it yourself.” No joke, that was real. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because the weekly “History Night” event starts and everyone tries to get a place.

A short walk down the main road leads you to St. Mary's Catholic Church. This is not only a house of God, but a real landmark: the gothic arches, the artistic stained glass and the crunchy wooden bench, which each time gives a slight squeaking of itself when you sit. I sat there once during a Sunday Mass, and the pastor's voice was so deep that I thought he could vote a piece of organ. The church is free to visit, and parking is right in front of the Kirchhof – a small, inconspicuous parking lot, which is usually free as long as you do not have a wedding weekend.

If you have enough of stone walls, look at the Riverwalk along the St. Joseph River on. The path stretches through the heart of the city, past small cafes, where you get a “real Michigan” coffee, and always offers angles of view that remind you of the great river landscapes of the Middle West. I rented a kayak there – yes, that actually goes here – and I paddle a piece downstream while I felt the sun on my face. Access to the Riverwalk is free, and parking at the end of the way is usually an empty parking space behind the old warehouse, which now houses an art studio.

The downtown Main Street by Buchanan is a collection of antique shops, small boutiques and a few murals that attract the cityscape. I discovered an old gramophone that still works, and a few handmade ceramic cups I had to take home right away. The atmosphere is easy, people are friendly, and if you're lucky, you hear the quiet murmur of a group of seniors chatting about the “good old times” – a real local charm. Parking is a bit tricky here because the road is often blocked by vans, but a few blocks further there is a public parking lot that is usually empty when you are not there on Friday night.

Another highlight I don't want to conceal is the Berrien County Fairgrounds. The site is the heart of many local events – from the annual autumn fair to rock concerts in summer. I was there in August when a local Blues act occurred, and the mood was so authentic that I almost forgot that I was actually just “tourist”. The Fairgrounds have a large, open parking lot, which will be filled quickly on weekends, so better get early if you want a place near the entrance.

For those who prefer to stay inside, there is Buchanan Community Center. There are regular yoga courses, art exhibitions and even a weekly board game evening. I once participated in a “Trivia Night” and had to admit that I knew more about the history of Buchanan than the locals – a small victory that I did not let myself take. The center has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually free as long as you are not there during a large community meeting.

And yes, if you’re looking for a compact overview, simply tap “Buchanan Sights” into your search engine – you’ll quickly realize that this city has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. I have the feeling that everyone who spends a few days here goes home with a small but fine treasure of memories – be it an old photo from the museum, a self-made work of art from the community center or simply the image of a calm river landscape that burns into your memory.

At the end of the day, when the lights of Main Street are slowly extinguishing and the murmuring of the river becomes quieter, you might sit in one of the small cafes, drink a hot tea and think about why you came here at all. For me it was the mix of history, nature and a pinch of local peculiarity – and I would say that is exactly what Buchanan makes a distinctive goal.