The boom times were over.Īs the 19th century progressed, New Buffalo area became a popular vacation getaway spot for Chicagoans. Unfortunately, the rail line was completed directly to Chicago, which made New Buffalo just another stop along the route. Railway passengers would stop in town to wait for steamers to finish taking them to Chicago, creating a demand for hotels. This new transportation route terminated for several years in New Buffalo, leading to explosive growth. However, the new Michigan Central Railway was being built across Michigan in the late 1830s. He purchased the land around the river-mouth and with various family members in tow, returned and named his new settlement New Buffalo.Ĭompared to larger harbors along the coast, New Buffalo wasn't a contender initially. As they headed back to Saint Joseph, MI to report the loss of their ship, Whittaker noticed the possibilities of the New Buffalo area as a potential harbor. In 1834 a sea-captain from Buffalo, New York - Wessel Whittaker - and his crew were shipwrecked on the Lake Michigan coast south of the Galien River outlet. The area remained sparsely populated, even as Michigan Territory was petitioning for statehood. Later, French missionaries visited the area on their search for the fabled Northwest Passage. The area around the mouth of the Galien River was originally populated by Miami and Potawatomi peoples. The population was 1,708 during the 2020 census. New Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S.

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