VAN BUREN COUNTY
MICHIGAN
HOW THE CITY BECAME KNOWN AS BANGOR.....
The City of Bangor, despite its small size, has quite a colorful history. Like most cities, the first settlers were pioneers. These men cleared the thickly wooded land, and constructed log cabins. As time went on, many cleared the land enough to be farmed. Through their efforts, the Village of Bangor came into existence.
In the spring of 1835, a young man by the name of Charles V. Cross, blazed a trail from Paw Paw to South Haven. During the winter of 1837, Charles Cross built the first cabin, in what is now the City of Bangor. In March of that year, the State Legislature organized the Townships of Bangor, Columbia, Deerfield, Geneva, and South Haven. In April the first election was held in Cross' house. Eleven votes were cast. seven officials were elected and Mr. Cross was elected Town Clerk.
During the next two years, more settlers moved into the Bangor area. The first tax was collected in 1839, consisting of seven taxpayers. In the following years, the number of settlers in Bangor grew. In 1845 there were twenty-three taxpayers and in 1856, there were one-hundred taxpayers. From here on out, the rest is history...
FACTS ABOUT BANGOR...
The City of Bangor is located in the Northwest portion of Van Buren County, which is located in Southwest Michigan. Bangor is twenty five miles West of Kalamazoo and lies nearly halfway between Chicago and Detroit. Access to these major cities is via highway M-43, 1-94, US-31 and I-196.
The City's population is approximately 2,200. The State Equalized Value is $16 million and the operating millage is 16.6 mills.
The City is run by a Council/Manager form of government with a Mayor, six Councilmembers, City Manager, City Clerk, City Treasurer and has building codes and zoning in effect.
Bangor has 5 City parks, tennis courts, and access to the 34-mile Kal Haven Trail. Nearby Lake Michigan (only 15 minutes away) and Van Buren State Park offer beaches, swimming, sand dunes, camping, nature trail, fishing, marinas, picnicking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile trails. Within the County there are six golf courses, numerous inland lakes, rivers and streams, and downhill skiing.
Community Events include: In May: Mayor Exchange Day and Memorial Day Parade. In July: 4th of July Parade. In October: Arts and Crafts Fair, Health Fair, Apple Train Run, Community Singsperation, Apple Festival. In December: Christmas/Lights on Parade.
For more information on the City of Bangor, Please contact:
Mr. Scott Banninga
City Manager
City of Bangor
257 W. Monroe Street
Bangor, MI 49013
(616)427-5831
Mrs. Wanda Rissley
City Clerk
City of Bangor
257 W. Monroe Street
Bangor, MI 49013
(616)427-5831
Correct as of 6/97
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