Local History Branch

Description

The Village of Cassopolis is one of 53 Michigan communities to receive funds from Andrew Carnegie for a public library. The building that now houses Cass District Library’s Local History Branch was completed in 1909 as the home of the LaGrange Township Library. LaGrange Township operated the library for more than eighty years. Between 1947 and 1957, the basement served as the home of the Cass County Library. The LaGrange Township Library closed its doors in 1993 when it merged with the Cass County Library. In October 1994, it reopened as Cass District Library’s Local History Branch. The collection is a favorite among those researching Cass County, Michigan, history and genealogy.

Restoration

At the February 19th, 2020 Library Board meeting, Library Trustees unanimously accepted a bid from D. Layman Construction to finish the remaining restoration work on the historic building. D. Layman Construction was first contracted by the library in 2017 to restore the building’s windows. The work to be completed during this project includes renovation of the main floor bathroom, refinishing of the original hardwood floors and original wood desks, tables, and chairs, and repair and replacement of the plaster walls and ceiling. This important work will preserve the historical integrity of the branch and ensure its survival for decades to come.