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Cass County, Michigan

61 topographic sheets cover 34 settlements here, and 9 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

9 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Michigan within the United States
Cass County within Michigan

What the record shows

  • 474 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 9 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 8 buildings and 1 structure.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 34 populated places in this county; 34 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

9

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Criffield-Whiteley Housebuilding201616000818
First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagonbuilding200202000295
Jones, Carroll and Bessie E. (Caul), Housebuilding199797001482
G. W. Jones Housebuilding199494001427
Mason District Number 5 Schoolhousebuilding198585002153
Michigan Central Railroad Dowagiac Depotbuilding199393001349
George Newton Housebuilding198282002830
Smith's Chapelbuilding198787002224
Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridgestructure199999001612

Wildfire, 2018 to 2020

63 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 63 of them, burning about 73 acres. 6 started naturally and none was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Equipment and vehicle use40
Missing data/not specified/undetermined16
Natural6
Recreation and ceremony1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
27 March 2019Equipment and vehicle use9.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesNEWBERG TOWNSHIP FD 0002393 - 2019
7 April 2019Natural2.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesCASSOPOLIS VFD 0000054 - 2019
3 April 2019Natural2.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesPOKAGON VFD 2019022 - 2019
23 March 2019Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesSEPSA FIRE AUTHORITY 138 - 2019
8 April 2019Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesSEPSA FIRE AUTHORITY 182 - 2019
31 July 2020Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesSEPSA FIRE AUTHORITY 408 - 2020
27 March 2019Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesSEPSA FIRE AUTHORITY 149 - 2019
7 April 2019Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesSEPSA FIRE AUTHORITY 178 - 2019

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1959 to 2026

60 of 306 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 306 reports for this county, causing 2 deaths, 34 injuries and about $11,975,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind213
Hail55
Tornado21
Flash Flood9
Flood6
Funnel Cloud1
Lightning1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
March 2026Tornado (EF1)Edwardsburg1 killedA disorganized circulation touched down northwest of the|intersection of Runkle St and Conrad Rd, destroying an attached|garage, and destroying the center part of the home (back windows failed and resulted in front of house blowing out). One fatality, a 12 year|old boy, was confirmed at the home as he was located in the attached garage at the time. A female resident was also injured. The tornado continued|northeast, causing damage to mainly trees with some minor roof|damage as it moved across Yankee St, east of Dailey Rd. The|tornado then widen and intensified with the peak damage occurring|along Harris St, between Hess Rd and M-62 where numerous trees|were snapped or uprooted. Some damage to pole barns and homes|(mainly roofs) was noted. The tornado crossed M-62 and continued|northeast, crossing portions of Oil City Rd and Monette St to|Curtis, Day and Chain Lakes before lifting just east of the|intersection of South and Walnut Rd.
August 2022Thunderstorm WindPokagon1 killedLocal law enforcement reported a large tree limb fell onto the cab of a vehicle, spun the limb into the road way while the vehicle continued westbound, striking another tree on the side of the road. A 17 year old male was pronounced dead at the scene.
July 1992Tornado (F2)not stated25 hurt, $250,000no account filed
June 2003Thunderstorm WindCassopolis4 hurtLaw enforcement reported a large tree fell on a church tent injuring 4 people, one seriously.
May 1988Thunderstorm Windnot stated3 hurtno account filed
March 2000Thunderstorm WindDowagiac1 hurt, $10,000A strong thunderstorm microburst blew down trees, branches, and windows out of a house. A woman at the residence at the time was outside when the storm hit and suffered minor injuries from the blown debris.
September 2014Thunderstorm WindDailey1 hurtLocal law enforcement reported a tree was blown down onto a vehicle traveling on M-60, near Liberty Road. One of the two occupants in the vehicle was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
October 2001Tornado (F1)Edwardsburg$5,000,000no account filed
June 1986Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
February 2018FloodBarron Lake$550,000Flooding occurred due to high water levels in many creeks, streams and rivers in the county. Several roads were closed for a period of time until flood waters receded. A few dozen structures were impacted by the flood waters as well as minor road damage. Damage of around 550,000 dollars was estimated.
May 2024LightningSandy Shores$500,000Ramona Skating Rink was struck by lightning, caught fire, then burned to the ground according to broadcast media.
September 2008FloodBarron Lake$500,000The rainfall from the remnants of Lowell and Ike continued to drop heavy rainfall into the early morning hours of the 15th. When the rain finally stopped, total rainfall amounts of 10 to 12 inches was reported from the extreme eastern parts of Niles into Edwardsburg. Numerous roads remained closed with some culverts and bridges suffering damage. No injuries were reported. No exact figures are available for the damage to the area from the flooding.
August 1998Tornado (F2)Edwardsburg$500,000ONE MOBILE HOME WAS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED ON SOUTH SIDE OF JUNO LAKE AND SEVERAL OTHER HOMES AROUND JUNO, PAINTER, EAGLE AND CHRISTAN LAKE SUFFERED MINOR TO MODERATE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. AN RV WAS TOSSED ABOUT AND ROTATED 180 DEGREES WHICH CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE. NUMEROUS TREES WERE COMPLETELY FLATTENED WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO HOMES. MANY ROADS WERE BLOCKED BY FALLEN TREES...SNAPPED POWER POLES AND DOWNED POWER LINES.THIS TORNADO BEGAN IN NILES AND PEAKED IN INTENSITY AND WIDTH 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF EDWARDSBURG WHERE IT WIDENED OUT TO ONE HALF MILE. IT CONTINUED ON TOWARD THE TOWN OF BRISTOL IN NORTHEAST ELKHART COUNTY BEFORE LIFTING.
April 2010Thunderstorm WindDowagiac Cass Arpt$400,000An area of scattered damage originated at the Dowagiac airport, with a hangar suffering moderate damage. The wind damage continued to expand with the roof being shifted off a business in the 54000 block of M-51. The remainder of the damage was confined to numerous three to four foot diameter trees being uprooted or snapped, as well as some large branches down. A few of these did fall on a few structure but damage was very limited. Damage for the area is estimated at $400,000.
August 1998Tornado (F1)Adamsville$300,000THE TORNADO HAD WEAKENED AS IT PASSED JUST EAST OF ADAMSVILLE. IT STILL CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO SEVERAL FARMS ALONG AND PRIMARILY SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 12.SEVERAL HOMES AND VEHICLES SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE DUE TO FALLEN TREES.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindEdwardsburg$300,000More than six dozen large trees were uprooted with hundreds of other trees either split or missing large limbs after a severe thunderstorm with estimated 70 mph winds blew through the Edwardsburg area around 7:50 AM EDT Wednesday, July 2, 1997. Downed trees and utility poles limited travel by blocking at least 6 area roads and road crews worked through the day to clear debris. Almost all of the village's 1,200 residents were without power for most of the day. The hardest hit area of Pleasant Lake reported 16 large trees uprooted. On the south side of the lake along Washington Street, one home was destroyed. Trees were downed onto several houses. The Ontwa Township/Edwardsburg Police Department received reports of at least one boat having been thrown into trees by damaging winds. No injuries were reported.
March 2025Tornado (EF1)Edwardsburg$100,000A brief EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Edwardsburg, MI on March 30th, 2025. The tornado started in a field west of Conrad Rd, snapping and uprooting trees as it moved northeast towards the Edwardsburg Primary School, where EF-0 damage was noted. The tornado continued to the northeast and intensified, where several homes and businesses sustained damage on the east side of Pleasant Lake. The Starboard Choice Marina building sustained roof damage, a boat lift and dock were removed from the lake and flipped over, and a few boats were damaged as well, including one that was flipped and lifted over a fence. The most intense damage was seen along Dailey Road, where numerous large trees were snapped and uprooted, with estimated peak wind speeds of 90 mph. Overall, the tornado was on the ground for 3 minutes and had a peak intensity of EF-1. There were also areas of straight-line wind damage noted throughout Edwardsburg, indicative that the tornado was likely embedded within the line of storms that moved through.
March 2016Tornado (EF0)Edwardsburg$100,000A survey of damage indicated a tornado touched down at the north end of Sundance Road, just South of US-12. A video was taken showing debris being lofted with notable rotation. The tornado tracked east northeast and heavily damaged a barn, as well as removing shingled and part of the roof of a church just south of US-12. The tornado tracked into Edwardsburg, uprooting or damaging trees before lifting near the intersection of M-62 and US-12.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindIndian Lake$100,000Microburst damage continued into Cass County from Berrien County, near County Line Road and Frost Street. Tree damaged continued along the track, with somewhat more concentrated damage towards the end of the path as it tracked across some residential areas. Three homes suffered minor damage from either the winds or trees falling onto them. A barn and garage were destroyed at the end of the microburst near Wilbur Hill Road and Peavine Street. The supercell that caused the microburst produced yet another tornado just to the east of this microburst damage.
June 2010Tornado (EF2)Dowagiac$100,000After leaving behind a swath of microburst winds, the storm intensified with a tornado touching down about a half mile southwest of Southwestern Michigan College, near Dowagiac. The circulation initially impacted the Pokagon subdivision with numerous homes suffering varying degrees of damage (DI: FR12 DOD: 4). The circulation continued east-southeast through mainly open and wooded areas, severely damaging numerous trees. The most extensive tree damage occurred near Michigan 62, west of Twin Lake Road where a 600 yard wide area of trees suffered extensive damage. The circulation was likely embedded within a much larger area of rear flank downdraft winds. The circulation then turned more southeast and hit a cemetery on Michigan 62, south of Cass Street. The circulation quickly dissipated after this point. Maximum winds are estimated at around 115 mph.
March 2025Tornado (EF0)Dailey$50,000A tornado developed in a field west of M62 and impacted several outbuildings near the intersection of M62 and Pine Lake Street. One outbuilding lost a majority of its metal roof, with debris lofted across the street. The tornado then continued northeast, reaching peak intensity between M62 and Oil City Road. Several groves of trees were snapped or uprooted where peak wind speeds reached 90 mph. The tornado then crossed Oil City Road, snapping trees near the intersection of Jefferson Center Street and M62. Several center pivots were also flipped near that intersection. The tornado then dissipated north of Jefferson Center Street. The tornado was on the ground for 2 minutes and had a peak width of 200 yards.
November 1998Thunderstorm WindCountywide$50,000EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO TREES...POWER LINES AND POLES ACROSS THE COUNTY.
August 1993Thunderstorm WindDowagiac$50,000Between Sister lakes and Twin lakes numerous trees and power lines down with high winds reported by sheriffs dept. with no speed given.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindEdwardsburg$32,000Power poles were snapped on Fir Road.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindEdwardsburg$30,000Tree down on garage and tree down over Elkhart Rd, just east of M62. Power lines down at Redfield St and Conrad. Irrigation flipped in field near M62 northeast of M62 and May street.
August 2021Thunderstorm WindUnion$25,000Two trees were downed onto structures. One tree fell onto a mobile home, and the second fell on a house. Several other tree limbs were downed in the area.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindDowagiac Cass Arpt$25,000Several trees and power lines reported across the entire county.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindDowagiac$25,000NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindPokagon$25,000Trees and power lines reported downed in Pokagon Township, in western Cass County.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindDowagiac$25,000Trees and power lines reported downed on the south side of Dowagiac. Lightning also damaged several power transformers.
June 1980Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
August 1978Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 2022Thunderstorm WindEdwardsburg$20,000Trees and power lines were downed in town.
December 2007Thunderstorm WindDowagiac$20,000Law enforcement officials reported numerous trees and power lines down across the county.
August 1997Thunderstorm WindJones$20,000The Cass County Road Commission reported numerous trees downed in the Birch Lake area of Porter Township, resulting in about 3,000 power outages there. Trees were reported downed south of Michigan Highway 60 along Michigan Highway 40 in Porter Township.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindMarcellus$15,000Pictures of a barn that sustained damage at Bradt and W Main St.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindCassopolis$15,000A few large tree branches down in Cassopolis, including one onto an unoccupied car.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindCassopolis$15,000Several trees were downed and at least one power pole was downed in Cassopolis and vicinity.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindMarcellus$15,000Trees and power poles are down.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindDowagiac$15,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
October 1996Thunderstorm WindIndian Lake$15,000no account filed
June 1997Thunderstorm WindMarcellus$12,500A severe thunderstorm downed a tree and several large limbs in the village of Marcellus. The downed tree landed on a vehicle parked at the corner of S. Centre and Dibble Street. Limbs and power lines were downed on N. Centre and North Streets and at the corner of Arbor and Snyder Street.
May 2004HailEdwardsburg$12,000Public reported hail to ping pong ball size in Edwardsburg on Eagle Lake. Damage was to roofs and a recreational vehicle.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindCassopolis$10,000Roof blown off of a building.
June 2024FloodDowagiac$10,000A trained spotter reported a flooded road in both directions of Depot Drive and Division Street.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindJones$10,000County dispatch reports trees and powerlines down across the county.
August 2022Thunderstorm WindDowagiac$10,000Several tree branches were down in Dowagiac. Power lines are down in the street.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindCassopolis$10,000Local law enforcement reported trees and power lines blown down by estimated winds of around 65 mph.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindIndian Lake$10,000Amateur radio operators reported a tree down onto an occupied house. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $10,000.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindJones$10,000Several trees and power lines were reported blown down.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindCountywide$10,000Trees and power lines were reported down in Dowagiac, Union City and Edwardsberg.
August 1998Thunderstorm WindAdamsville$10,000TREE FELL ONTO A PICKUP TRUCK TOTALLY SMASHING IT.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindBarron Lake$8,000A utility pole was snapped in half.
September 2021Thunderstorm WindFive Mile Corners$8,000Six trees down across roadway. Two reports of power lines down.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindBarron Lake$7,500A tree fell into a house and collapsed the bathroom wall.
June 2024FloodLa Grange$5,000Water is flowing over both lanes of Shurte Street.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindVandalia$5,000A tree was blown down onto power lines.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindEdwardsburg$5,000Power lines were blown down.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindCassopolis$5,000Law enforcement reported trees and power lines down countywide and a semi truck rolled over.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindEdwardsburg$5,000Power lines reported down.

Mines and quarries

17 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 17 workings inside this county. 13 still produce and 4 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction14
Limestone, General2
Clay1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Unnamed Clay ProspectClayProspect
Pipher's Marl QuarryLimestone, GeneralPast Producer
Poehlman Marl PitLimestone, GeneralProducer
A&K Excavating PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Bret Schneider Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Cass Co Pit Lowitz PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Cass Co Pit Yerington ConstSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Cass County PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Indiana Highways MaterialsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Indiana Highways Materials, IncSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Millikin Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Niles Dredge and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Rudell PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Silver Creek Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Three S Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
West Rate Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Whit Pond Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

34

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.