The Unassuming Village of Baroda, in Berrien County: 1900-2000s Skip to main contentSkip to site footer Trending: Cash Cow 2022 Family Fun Card Ways to Listen at Home Restaurant Deals App Google Home Alexa Home On Air All DJs Shows MJ Kristen Matthews Jess on the Job JR Taste of Country Nights Listen Listen Live WITL App Alexa Google Home Recently Played On Demand App Download iOS Download Android Win Stuff Cash Cow Contest Rules Contest Support Contact Us Help & Contact Info Send Feedback Advertise More Home On Air All DJs Shows MJ Kristen Matthews Jess on the Job JR Taste of Country Nights Listen Listen Live WITL App Alexa Google Home Recently Played On Demand App Download iOS Download Android Win Stuff Cash Cow Contest Rules Contest Support Contact Us Help & Contact Info Send Feedback Advertise Visit us on Youtube Visit us on Facebook Visit us on Twitter INSTAGRAM Baroda in Berrien County: A Brief History and Photos, 1900-2000s John Robinson John Robinson Published: January 18, 2022 available @ worthpoint.com Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The town of Baroda sits in Berrien County, approximately 14 miles from the Michigan/Indiana border. The genesis of Baroda took place in the 1830s when people began settling in the area. It was not an easy task, as swamps had to be drained and the land had to be cleared. Then came the process of building homes and farmland. The man responsible for founding the town was Michael B. Houser, who originally named it after himself: 'Houser'. It was his desire to build a town of his own, so he sought the proper authorities to get a railroad station put on the land. In his anxiousness to get his new town going, he made a generous offer: a free lot to anyone who would come and build a store, shop, or other business building that was valued at $500 or more. Okay, but how much did it cost for a plot of land for a house? Just $35. Get our free mobile app As to the name change to 'Baroda', there are two theories that are mentioned in different recollections: 1) The post office rejected the name of 'Houser' 2) Michael did not want the town named after him in the long run Either way, the name was changed to 'Baroda', after a city in India. But why? Why a town in India? That answer escapes me. The post office opened in December 1890. The village was incorporated in 1907. Township was organized in 1923. Driving through Baroda in the 2000s, you'll cruise the main drag with a good smattering of original old buildings mixed with a few newer ones, and seemingly little traffic. Take a look at the gallery below of what Baroda looked like over 100 years ago! Vintage Photos of Baroda, Michigan MORE MICHIGAN TOWNS: Vintage Perry, Michigan The Small Town of Chatham Vintage Photos of Houghton Lake/Prudenville The Ghost Town of Pioneer This is One of Michigan's Smallest Towns The Census Claims This Town is One of Michigan's Smallest Filed Under: Michigan history, michigan roadtrip, roadside michigan Categories: Articles Comments Leave A Comment More From 100.7 WITL Michigan’s Native American Petroglyphs Are Believed to Be 300 to 1000 years old Michigan’s Native American Petroglyphs Are Believed to Be 300 to 1000 years old Superman Ice Cream: Yeah, It’s a Michigan Original, but How, When & Where? Superman Ice Cream: Yeah, It’s a Michigan Original, but How, When & Where? The Largest Log Cabin in the World is in Michigan The Largest Log Cabin in the World is in Michigan The Ghost Town of Copper Falls, Michigan The Ghost Town of Copper Falls, Michigan Michigan’s Most Popular and Best-Loved “Trashy” Beer is No Surprise Michigan’s Most Popular and Best-Loved “Trashy” Beer is No Surprise Inside the Daniel J. Morrell Shipwreck: Lake Huron, Michigan Inside the Daniel J. Morrell Shipwreck: Lake Huron, Michigan This Facility Was Rated as Michigan’s #1 Worst Prison This Facility Was Rated as Michigan’s #1 Worst Prison One of Michigan’s Most Dastardly Criminals: Silas Doty, 1800-1876 One of Michigan’s Most Dastardly Criminals: Silas Doty, 1800-1876 The Ghost Town and Abandoned Mine of Delaware, Michigan The Ghost Town and Abandoned Mine of Delaware, Michigan Information EEO Marketing and Advertising Solutions Public File Need Assistance FCC Applications Report an Inaccuracy Terms Contest Rules Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Exercise My Data Rights Contact Lansing Business Listings Follow Us Visit us on Youtube Visit us on Facebook Visit us on Twitter 2022 100.7 WITL, Townsquare Media, Inc. All rights reserved.