About Cass County

[Harrison]

http://www.infomi.com/county/cass/county.gif
http://www.infomi.com/county/cass/winter1.jpg http://www.infomi.com/county/cass/spring2.jpg
Cass County is located in southwest Michigan. It was organized in 1829 and named after the former territorial governor, Lewis Cass. This area was originally inhabited by 3 bands of Potawatomis, with European settlers moving there in the 1820’s. An old Indian trail ran east/west across the southern portion of the county, which later became US-12 and for awhile was the main road from Chicago to Detroit.
Cass County also had its role in the Civil War as a location for the Underground Railroad. Assisted largely by Quakers, many Black slaves were successfully settled there. The William Jones House, just outside of Cassopolis to the east, represented a successful "end of the line" to many. Today, Cass County is both a rich agricultural area as well as a popular tourist spot. It plays a major part in pork production in Michigan as well as other feed crops like soybeans and corn. It also contains over 250 lakes and several nature preserves, which makes for great water sports, hiking and bird-watching. Its largest community is Dowagiac to the northwest, with Cassopolis, the second largest city, as the county seat.

[Harrison]

Cassopolis/Vandalia Chamber of Commerce 117 South Broadway Street #100, Cassopolis, MI (269)445-5538 or Fax: (269)445-8369


Edwardsburg Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.edwardsburg.biz/) P.O. Box 575, Edwardsburg, MI (269)663-6344 or Fax: (269)663-5344

administration@edwardsburg.biz (administration@edwardsburg.biz)

Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce 200 Depot Street, Dowagiac, MI (269)782-8212 or Fax: (269)782-6701

vphillipson@beanstalk.net (vphillipson@beanstalk.net)
Children's Resources



Bair Lake Bible Camp (http://www.blbc.com/) 12500 Prang, Jones, MI (269)244-5193
Year around camps and conferences available for all ages. 98 acres of activity on beautiful Bair Lake. Housing for 240 with delicious meals. All Inclusive. Visit us on the web at www.blbc.com .
information@blbc.com (information@blbc.com)
Community Action Group



Rose\'s Garden of Hope , Dowagiac, MI (269)782-9819
Non-profit organization made up of volunteers that provide a crisis intervention program to individuals and families with dignity in Cass County.
rosesgardenofhope@yahoo.com (rosesgardenofhope@yahoo.com)
Community Information and Links



Erdos Ark Petting Zoo (http://home.earthlink.net/~akerdos/id2.html) 54003 Day Road, Marcellus, MI
FREE ADMISSION.. SELF SUPPORTING .. Petting Zoo ..
We set it up as FREE WILL Donation's Only as this was the parents would know what they could afford if anything at all.
akerdos@earthlink.net (akerdos@earthlink.net)

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians 58620 Sink Road - P.O. Box 180, Dowagiac, MI (269)782-6323


Education



Dowagiac Conservation Club (http://www.conservationclub.org/) 54551 North M-51 Highway, Dowagiac, MI (269)782-5508
The club offers Archery Shoots, (2) Trap Machines, Rifle Range from 15 yds - 300 yds, Cook Lake to fish and club house for rentals.
dowconservation@beanstalk.net (dowconservation@beanstalk.net)
Family Help



St. Joseph County Family Independence Agency 692 East Main Street, Centreville, MI (616)467-1200
Also serving: Cass County
lakek@michigan.gov (lakek@michigan.gov)
Health Information



Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Southwest Michigan Affiliate (http://www.komenswmichigan.org/) P.O. Box 2301, Kalamazoo, MI (877)KOMENSW
The Southwest Michigan Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
is an all-volunteer local organization who raises and grants funds to provide breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment to medically underserved populations in Southwest Michigan. At least 75% of funds remain in Southwest Michigan, and the other 25% of funds are applied directly to national breast cancer research.
swmi@komenswmichigan.org (swmi@komenswmichigan.org)
Human Services



Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. (http://www.goodwillswmi.org/) 2700 North Pitcher Street, Kalamazoo, MI (269)382-0490 x231
Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, a not-for-profit organization, provides employment, education, and training services to people in their community.
jdillworth@goodwillswmi.org (jdillworth@goodwillswmi.org)
Lions Club



Edwardsburg Lions Club (http://hometown.aol.com/jetav/myhomepage/club.html) 3366 Yankee Street, Niles, MI (616)663-6232
We are a group of people who pool their talents to provide service to the Edwardsburg Community and assistance to the less fortunate. We help individuals as well as other community programs.
jetav@aol.com (jetav@aol.com)
Religious



Bair Lake Bible Camp (http://www.blbc.com/) 12500 Prang, Jones, MI (269)244-5193
Year around camps and conferences available for all ages. 98 acres of activity on beautiful Bair Lake. Housing for 240 with delicious meals. All Inclusive. Visit us on the web at www.blbc.com .
information@blbc.com (information@blbc.com)
Schools



Cassopolis Public Schools (http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/cass) c/o Administration Office, Red Brick School, 22096 Brick Church Road, Cassopolis, MI (616)445-0500
Cassopolis Public School Website for Cassopolis, Michigan - Administration, Our Community, Ross Beatty Jr/Sr High School, Sam Adams Middle School, and Frank Squires Early Elementary School
mgm@exchange.lowe.org (mgm@exchange.lowe.org)

Cassopolis Public Schools (http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/cass) 22096 Brick Church Road, Cassopolis, MI (616)445-0500
Cassopolis Public School website for Cassopolis, Michigan - Administration, Our Community, Ross Beatty Jr/Sr High School, Sam Adams Middle School, and Frank Squires Early Elementary School. For information contact our webmaster.
mgm@beanstalk.net (mgm@beanstalk.net)

Dowagiac Public Schools (http://remc11.k12.mi.us/dowagiac) 206 Main Street, Dowagiac, MI (616)782-4400
We believe that our school's purpose is to educate all individuals to their maximum potential while fostering positive behavior and attitudes. We accept the responsibility to provide educational opportunities so students may lead productive, meaningful lives.

Sports



Marcellus Youth Soccer League (http://www.ayso1294.com/) ?, Marcellus, MI (616)646-2900
Check out our web site for meeting dates, newsflash and weather watch.
Marcellus@ayso1294.com (Marcellus@ayso1294.com)
Volunteers



Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. (http://www.goodwillswmi.org/) 2700 North Pitcher Street, Kalamazoo, MI (269)382-0490 x231
Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, a not-for-profit organization, provides employment, education, and training services to people in their community.
jdillworth@goodwillswmi.org (jdillworth@goodwillswmi.org)

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Southwest Michigan Affiliate (http://www.komenswmichigan.org/) P.O. Box 2301, Kalamazoo, MI (877)KOMENSW
The Southwest Michigan Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
is an all-volunteer local organization who raises and grants funds to provide breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment to medically underserved populations in Southwest Michigan. At least 75% of funds remain in Southwest Michigan, and the other 25% of funds are applied directly to national breast cancer research.
swmi@komenswmichigan.org (swmi@komenswmichigan.org)