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Trifold Brochure (pdf file)
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Thomas L.
Stevens, Founder
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In 1815, Thomas
L. Stevens was born in Tyngaboro, MA. He purchased 160 acres
of land, now Stevensville, in 1869. In exchange for having a
depot built on part of this land and being named after Stevens,
he sold a portion of his acreage for $1.00 to the Chicago and
West Michigan Lake Shore Railroad Company. |
| In 1870, Thomas Stevens laid a village
plat and called it Stevensville. On April 3, 1872 the plat was
legally recorded at the Berrien County Court House in Berrien Springs,
MI. Passing a resolution, the Senate of the State of Michigan proclaimed
the Village of Stevensville a chartered village in March of 1893. |
Downtown Stevensville 
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Stevensville Depot  |
The strongest influence on the formation
of a village was the railroad company laying a rail line through
this land. With the building of a depot which assured a railroad
stop to pick up fruit, the area's strongest industry.
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| After much clearing of this wooded land and enduring
the hardships of the times, the pioneers and early settlers in
this area began to dream about a community settlement. Because
these determined people needed, and depended on each other for
survival and spiritual strength, religious societies began to meet
in farm houses. |
Hickory Creek |
Pharmacy |
Small stores providing basic supplies were made available
in conjunction with the grist mills. As business-minded residents
saw the potential of a community budding, other stores and businesses
began to sprout in a central area.
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| This community and surrounding area
have experienced tremendous changes and growth throughout the years.
The effect of these significant events and persons has set a standard
of value in heritage of the area, and serves as a legacy to succeeding
generations. |
Blacksmith Shop
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