Three Rivers, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Three Rivers is a city in St. Joseph County
in the US state of Michigan
. The population was 7,811 at the 2010 census
.
Three Rivers derives its name from the confluence of the St. Joseph River
with its tributaries the Rocky
and Portage Rivers. It is the home of St. Gregory's Abbey, a Benedictine monastery of the Episcopal Church that was established in 1946.
, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (5.06%) is water.
, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.
There were 2,910 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,460, and the median income for a family was $36,272. Males had a median income of $31,849 versus $23,659 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,279. About 16.2% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
downtown district offers many places for shopping
and dining. The Riviera Theater, located downtown, is one of the oldest operating theaters in southwest Michigan. First opened in 1925, it closed in 2000, was renovated, and reopened its doors in 2008. The theater is used for films, concerts, live performances, and other special events. The theater also features a full service bar where patrons may get drinks at intermissions, but is also open daily to the general public. Also located downtown is Lowry's Books and More, owned by former Three Rivers mayor Tom Lowry. It features a large selection of new and used books as well as toys and collectibles. There is Paisano's Bar and Grill, which is a popular Italian
eatery, which offers a large selection of beers in the bar/lounge area, as well as cocktails.
Also located downtown are: Ambrosia Vae Baby Boutique, The Pink Paisley Poppy Emporium, Pub 21 (named for its address of 21 North Main Street), Main Street Cafe, Uni-Q Jewelry Store, Finders Keepers Variety Store, Smoke-Cessories (offering a wide variety of novelty items and legal tobacco alternatives as well as a hookah lounge
), Three Rivers Masonic Temple, Sherwin-Williams, Second Wind Furniture, Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, and Fabrications, a custom screen-printing
and embroidery
shop.
Also located on North Main Street, north of the downtown district, is Goldie's Diner which opened in 1969. It offers patrons a retro feel with casual dining. Also north of downtown is Frankie's By The Tracks (which gets its name from its location right next to the main railroad). It is a popular pizzeria featuring a full service bar.
There are also many parks and recreational areas in Three Rivers. There is Scidmore Park and Petting Zoo, which is located at the confluence
of the Rocky and Saint Joseph Rivers. It has a small nature trail
that follows next to the two rivers, which also connects it to Memory Isle Park, named for the island in the Rocky River that sits in the middle of the park. On the other side of the Saint Joseph River from Scidmore Park is Conservation Park which features a boat launch and canoe
and kayak
rentals. There is also Bowman Park and Lafayette Park.
, basketball, and track and field. The football and track and field teams have been at or near the top of the Wolverine Conference for over 40 years, winning state titles for football in 2003, and second place for 2009; and for track and field in 2000 and 2002. The cross country team placed in the top 10 at state in 2005 and 2006.
Three Rivers' rivals are Gull Lake High School
, Vicksburg High School, and Sturgis High School
.
(http://www.campeb.org), Habonim Dror
Camp Tavor
, Camp Wakeshma (Camp Wakeshma website), as well as the Latvian Center Garezers (Latvian language site).
St. Joseph County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,422 people, 23,381 households, and 16,600 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile . There were 26,503 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
in the US state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 7,811 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
Three Rivers derives its name from the confluence of the St. Joseph River
St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)
The St. Joseph River is a river, approximately long, in southern Michigan and northern Indiana in the United States. It drains a primarily rural farming area in the watershed of Lake Michigan...
with its tributaries the Rocky
Rocky River (Michigan)
The Rocky River is a stream located in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Michigan that flows into the St. Joseph River at in the city of Three Rivers in St. Joseph County. The Rocky River, along with the St...
and Portage Rivers. It is the home of St. Gregory's Abbey, a Benedictine monastery of the Episcopal Church that was established in 1946.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (5.06%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2008, there were 7,179 people, 2,910 households, and 1,769 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,625.8 per square mile (627.4/km²). There were 3,234 housing units at an average density of 717.5 per square mile (276.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.36% White, 10.55% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 1.71% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.
There were 2,910 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,460, and the median income for a family was $36,272. Males had a median income of $31,849 versus $23,659 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,279. About 16.2% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions and Dining
There are many attractions in the city of Three Rivers. It is a popular destination for Chicago area residents, who own Summer homes in the area. The historic VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
downtown district offers many places for shopping
Shopping
Shopping is the examining of goods or services from retailers with the intent to purchase at that time. Shopping is an activity of selection and/or purchase. In some contexts it is considered a leisure activity as well as an economic one....
and dining. The Riviera Theater, located downtown, is one of the oldest operating theaters in southwest Michigan. First opened in 1925, it closed in 2000, was renovated, and reopened its doors in 2008. The theater is used for films, concerts, live performances, and other special events. The theater also features a full service bar where patrons may get drinks at intermissions, but is also open daily to the general public. Also located downtown is Lowry's Books and More, owned by former Three Rivers mayor Tom Lowry. It features a large selection of new and used books as well as toys and collectibles. There is Paisano's Bar and Grill, which is a popular Italian
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
eatery, which offers a large selection of beers in the bar/lounge area, as well as cocktails.
Also located downtown are: Ambrosia Vae Baby Boutique, The Pink Paisley Poppy Emporium, Pub 21 (named for its address of 21 North Main Street), Main Street Cafe, Uni-Q Jewelry Store, Finders Keepers Variety Store, Smoke-Cessories (offering a wide variety of novelty items and legal tobacco alternatives as well as a hookah lounge
Hookah lounge
The hookah lounge is an establishment where patrons share shisha from a communal hookah or nargile which is placed at each table....
), Three Rivers Masonic Temple, Sherwin-Williams, Second Wind Furniture, Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, and Fabrications, a custom screen-printing
Screen-printing
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil. The attached stencil forms open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable materials which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged image onto a substrate...
and embroidery
Embroidery
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
shop.
Also located on North Main Street, north of the downtown district, is Goldie's Diner which opened in 1969. It offers patrons a retro feel with casual dining. Also north of downtown is Frankie's By The Tracks (which gets its name from its location right next to the main railroad). It is a popular pizzeria featuring a full service bar.
There are also many parks and recreational areas in Three Rivers. There is Scidmore Park and Petting Zoo, which is located at the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Rocky and Saint Joseph Rivers. It has a small nature trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
that follows next to the two rivers, which also connects it to Memory Isle Park, named for the island in the Rocky River that sits in the middle of the park. On the other side of the Saint Joseph River from Scidmore Park is Conservation Park which features a boat launch and canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
and kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
rentals. There is also Bowman Park and Lafayette Park.
Sports
Three Rivers High School accounts for the majority of competitive athletics in the city. The schools teams are nicknamed the Wildcats. The 'cats have long been known for excellence in high school footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, basketball, and track and field. The football and track and field teams have been at or near the top of the Wolverine Conference for over 40 years, winning state titles for football in 2003, and second place for 2009; and for track and field in 2000 and 2002. The cross country team placed in the top 10 at state in 2005 and 2006.
Three Rivers' rivals are Gull Lake High School
Gull Lake High School
Gull Lake High School is part of the Gull Lake Community Schools in Richland, Michigan. The district was consolidated in the early 1960s from the existing Richland, Kellogg, and Bedford secondary schools and serves nearly 1000 students from a three-county area: NE Kalamazoo, NW Calhoun, and...
, Vicksburg High School, and Sturgis High School
Sturgis High School
Sturgis High School is located in Sturgis, Michigan and is part of the Sturgis Public Schools school district. Located at 216 Vinewood Avenue, the school draws students from all over the city....
.
Summer camps
Three Rivers is also home to many summer camps, including YMCA Camp EberhartYMCA Camp Eberhart
YMCA Camp Eberhart is an extension of the Michiana YMCA located in South Bend, Indiana. Camp Eberhart began building the camp in 1909. The camp was the first YMCA camp in the country to offer a summer program for young women. Camp Eberhart was fully co-educational in the 1970s. Today, the camp...
(http://www.campeb.org), Habonim Dror
Habonim Dror
Habonim Dror is a Jewish Labour Zionist youth movement formed by the merger in 1982 of the Habonim and Dror youth movements. Habonim Dror's sister movement in Israel is Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed, the Working and Studying Youth.-Ideology:...
Camp Tavor
Camp Tavor
Habonim Dror Camp Tavor is a Jewish overnight camp located in Three Rivers, Michigan. The camp is affiliated with Habonim Dror, a Labor-Zionist youth movement which promotes the ideals of communal living and sharing, in a Kibbutz-like environment...
, Camp Wakeshma (Camp Wakeshma website), as well as the Latvian Center Garezers (Latvian language site).
Famous residents
Jack Moore, Flute Maker- Neal BallNeal BallCornelius "Neal" Ball , the American baseball player, achieved fame on July 19, when he pulled off the first unassisted triple play in Major League baseball history in a game against the Boston Red Sox. "During the same game, he set another major league record for shortstops...
, baseball player, was the first player in Major League baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history to pull off an unassisted triple playUnassisted triple playIn baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
. He played for Three Rivers's semiprofessional team in 1901. - Blondi Bee, adult actressPornographic actorA pornographic actor/actress or a porn star is a person who appears in pornographic film. Most actors appear nude in films...
, grew up in Three Rivers. - Harry Blackstone Jr., magicianMagic (illusion)Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
, was born in Three Rivers. - Charles CollingwoodCharles Collingwood (journalist)Charles Collingwood was a television newscaster.Born in Three Rivers, Michigan, Collingwood graduated from Deep Springs College and Cornell University and in 1939 received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. After working in London for United Press, Collingwood was hired by Edward R...
, reporter and television news correspondent, was born in Three Rivers. - Joe Gherna, baseball player formerly with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, is a graduate of Three Rivers High School. - Matt ThorntonMatt ThorntonMatthew J. Thornton , is a left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. Before the season, Thornton was with the Seattle Mariners.-College and minor league baseball:...
, baseball player for the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, was born in Three Rivers. - Travis KeyTravis KeyTravis Key is an American football safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, American football safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Attended Three Rivers High School. - David ArmstrongDavid ArmstrongDavid Armstrong may refer to:*Dave Armstrong , American Catholic apologist and author*Dave Armstrong , Canadian record producer*Dave Armstrong , New Zealand scriptwriter...
, President and CEO of Armstrong International. - Paul ChristyPaul ChristyPaul Christy is a former professional wrestler known mainly for his work in the National Wrestling Alliance and International Championship Wrestling as well as a very short stint in the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-'80s...
, former professional wrestler. Resides in Three Rivers. - Ed Blanton, former offensive tackle for the New York Jets. Resides in Three Rivers.
- Daniel BookoDaniel BookoDaniel Paul Booko is an American actor and Model. He has had roles in The O.C, Hannah Montana, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, as well as in the film Bratz: The Movie. Born to Pastor Paul Booko of Riverside Church in Three Rivers Michigan...
, American actor, born in Three Rivers.