Local author documents history of twin cities

Today, St. Joseph may seem like the more developed of the Twin Cities, with Silver Beach, downtown shopping, and a focus on tourism. But, Benton Harbor was once the greater economic center in the region. Over time, however, changes in manufacturing, housing, and investment caused Benton Harbor to lose its grip on businesses and, subsequently, its population. All while economic activity shifted toward St. Joseph and the surrounding communities.  

During the early and mid-1900s, Benton Harbor had a bustling industry, various businesses, and a busy downtown that provided jobs for many local families. But as manufacturing declined, factories closed and moved where rates for land weren’t as high. With fewer jobs, some families were forced to move to cities with greater opportunity. Local businesses lost customers and Benton Harbor had a harder time attracting new investment.

 These changes created a cycle where fewer jobs lead to fewer customers. This cycle made it harder for businesses to survive. Meanwhile, St. Joseph continued to grow through its lakefront tourism and downtown development, leading to greater attraction for businesses.

Author Jeannette Holten, a lifelong resident of Benton Harbor, was so interested in this transformation, she decided to do some more thoughtful research and publish a book. In researching the history of the twin cities, she keeps her main goal in mind: to capture the twin cities' story through the perspectives of both Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.  

“This has been the burning question of my life because I’ve lived through a lot of those times. I am trying to tell a truer version of what happened,” Ms. Holten said.

The transformations of each city didn't happen because of one event; rather, decades of economic challenges have shaped the state of both communities. The same river separates the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, but their populations face similar challenges.

By Samaika Singh