Three Rivers

Known locally as “Triple Ripple,” Three Rivers is situated on over five square miles in St. Joseph County, in Southwestern Michigan. With a nationally recognized historic downtown district, Three Rivers features a unique combination of a historic past and a blossoming future.

The name Three Rivers is derived from the three rivers — the St. Joseph, the Rocky and the Portage Rivers — that literally meet and converge in the town, and the name stuck. Three Rivers was first settled in 1829 by Jacob McInterfer and family, although the history of the area dates back much further. The area is well documented in Indian legends, telling of early wars between different tribes fighting over the territory, and it is also well documented as one of the earliest French trading posts.

The Three Rivers Community Schools serve the area, with six buildings making up the district; four elementary schools, as well as Three Rivers Middle School and Three Rivers High School. The high school is one of the strongest in the area, allowing students to take college level courses while still in high school, and over 70% of graduates apply for post-secondary studies. M-60 and 86 run through Three Rivers, providing easy access to the Niles area as well as Interstate 94 and M-12.

A popular vacation destination due to its proximity to a number of lakes, the population in Three Rivers swells in the summer months. It is home to a number of summer camps, including Camp Wakeshma and Camp Eberhart. There are ten lakes within six miles of the town, providing plenty of options for summer activities. The city has 15 designated city parks, the most notable being Scidmore Park, which includes a small zoo, sand volleyball area, basketball court, and playground equipment.