Bartholomew Sharrai, a French Canadian, is credited as being the first permanent settler in Bainbridge Township. Another Canadian soon followed him; a man named "Ruleaux", who filed claim to a piece of land adjacent to Sharrai's. Ruleaux built a crude log cabin, stocked it to the rim with whiskey and called it a tavern. Within two years, the area would be known as "Ruleaux's Place".

In February of 1836, James Enos and his two brothers purchased Ruleaux's Place in an attempt to make it a little more respectable. The tavern became one of the regular stops for stagecoaches traveling between St. Joseph and Detroit. Following this success, another tavern was erected which became the site of the first township elections in 1837.

The earliest trading in the township took place between the settlers and the Indians. The settlers exchanged knives, beads, and trinkets for Indian furs. With the construction of primitive roads, the trading continued through Yankee Peddlers who walked from house to house carrying satchels or backpacks. Even if no purchase were made, the peddler would stay for two meals and a night's lodging. Even shoemakers would travel from home to home and stay as long as it took to make shoes for the entire family.

Bainbridge Township remains primarily a fruit farming community, governed by friendly folks and dedicated to a good quality of life.

Bainbridge Township is located amidst rolling hills at the northeastern part of Berrien County. The Township's greatest strength is its wealth of good quality agricultural land. It is not surprising that fruit and vegetable farmers have dominated the community for the past century-and-a-half. The community wishes to keep its farming identity, so industry is discouraged and pressure to develop is shunned.

One very interesting aspect of Bainbridge Township is its community orientation. Although the Township residents communicate a good community spirit, they are socially divided. Due to its low population density and its proximity to Benton Harbor, Coloma, Watervliet, and Sister Lakes, Bainbridge houses four communities, each of which focuses on the nearest social/commercial hubs for their shopping and recreational needs. Consequently, the Township does not organize any social events, but contributes to these nearby communities.

A possible drawback for those who would like to live in Bainbridge Township is the lack of a water and sewer system. Its low population makes such a municipal system expensive and inefficient. Because of this and the lack of sufficient fire hydrants, the fire insurance rates are generally higher in Bainbridge than in the surrounding communities. In case of fire, the Township has the option of calling in firemen from four different communities.

A. Preserve the agricultural character of the township.

B. No interests in expanding its commercial and industrial base.

C. Maintain a zero-growth strategy.

D. Shun any pressure to develop.

A revised strategic plan is currently completed.

Bainbridge Township Hall

7315 Territorial Road

Watervliet, MI 49098

Phone: (269) 468-8040

Fax: (269) 468-3498

E-mail: bainbridgetwp@qtm.net

Second Monday of Each Month

Start: 7:00 pm

Planning Commission: Third Monday every other month at 7:00 p.m.