Welcome!

I’m Mayor Brenda Hess and I would like to personally welcome you to the Red Bud City of Buchanan, Michigan.

Buchanan is nestled in the southwest corner of Michigan in southern Berrien County, along the banks of the beautiful Saint Joseph River.    Buchanan was founded in 1833 by Charles Cowles and began it’ life as a bustling milling town, thanks to the rapid flow of McCoy Creek.  Today, we are proud to be the gateway to Michigan’s beautiful wine country.

Modern Buchanan still retains its historic character.  We have not, one, but two historical districts where you explore architecture from days gone by.  Buchanan is home to Pears Mill, one of only a handful of mills that runs by water power and which still mills grain into flour to this day.

Buchanan is also home to the arts.  We have the Buchanan Art Center where you can take classes, the Tin Shop Theater where you can join the cast of a play or musical, and we have the Common, a unique outdoor venue where you can explore the Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings and enjoy summer concerts every Thursday evening in the summer and on the last Saturday of each summer month.

Buchanan has many opportunities for the recreational enthusiast.  The Saint Joseph River offers boating, kayaking, and fishing.  We offer easy access to the river from our own boat launch located off of Red Bud Trail.  McCoy Creek Trail, which runs through the heart of the city, is perfect for walking, running and biking.  It also has exercise equipment along the way.  Nearby Redbud Track and Trail is the home of world class motocross. We also have miles of scenic country roads which are perfect for cyclists of all abilities.

If you are looking for shopping and dining, Buchanan has a charming historic downtown full of restaurants and shops. We also have a vibrant uptown area, (literally up the hill) featuring commercial retail.  Be sure to ask about our “Thrill on the Hill” events.  We invite you to come and spend a day exploring.

We have exceptional schools and we offer a “place based” scholarship to students who live within the district for all types of post high school education, thanks to the Buchanan Promise.

If you are looking for a small town where you can plant your roots, whether it’s for your family or your business, or both, we hope you will consider Buchanan.   We believe that “Life is truly better here”.

Sincerely,
Mayor Brenda Hess