It is possible to preserve and restore Cass County historic landmarks, and it serves us well to do that.

Most people know I’ve been involved with the Bonine House and the Underground Railroad Society from the beginning.  URSCC is nine years old and we’ve come a long way.  The Bonine House is structurally sound and nearly finished, and the Carriage House is getting there.  We have just been given the Bogue House, another historic treasure. 

We’ve spent over half million on restoration efforts at no taxpayer expense.  And the reason we can do this is because we are a 501c3 non-profit.  We have a Board of Directors and several Committees that oversee various aspects of the organization.  We have over 400 members that are the backbone of URSCC, and have received several grants from private foundations, corporations, and the State of Michigan.  We are solvent, we are growing, and we are becoming an economic asset to Cass County.

This is the same plan proposed by the Economic Development Council for the restoration of our 1899 Cass County courthouse, and other properties in the county.  A 501c3 will be formed, a Board of Directors established, Committees created. 

The new organization will purchase the courthouse from the County for a nominal sum.  They will negotiate terms and write bylaws that are acceptable to all involved.  There is no cost to taxpayers.  They will obtain financing from various sources,  and renovate the courthouse to  become a vital part of daily life in our county seat of Cassopolis — a multi-purpose building with private, public and government space.  It will become the northern anchor for a revitalized downtown Cassopolis, with Stone Lake as the southern anchor.   It will be a building we will all look to with pride, because we helped to create it.

When URSCC purchased the Bonine House and Carriage House there were many naysayers.  We got expert advice and experienced contractors and asked our community to back us.  And you did.  And we will all do it again for our courthouse.  I pray we have the chance.   

Cathy LaPointe

Cassopolis