History

Berrien County was created in 1856 from Coffee, Irwin, and Lowndes counties. The county was named for John McPherson Berrien, a U.S. Senator and Andrew Jackson's Attorney General.

Berrien County had one of the state's earliest post roads, the Coffee Road. It was opened in 1823 to channel settlers' crops to Florida.

Nashville was named for General Francis Nash of North Carolina, a distinguished soldier of the Revolutionary War. Alapaha, named by Cherokee Indians who once lived there, means "smiling sunshine" or "laughing water".

Points of Interest

The county is predominantly agricultural and is known as the "Bell Pepper Capital of the World".

The old jail and the Berrien County Courthouse, both in Nashville, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Paradise Public Fishing Area is a 1,060-acre state-owned recreation/wildlife area. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, bird-watching, and primitive camping are available around its 76 lakes and ponds.

There are several animals on the Federal Endangered Species list found in Berrien County. These include the Peregrine Falcon, the Southern Bald Eagle, and the Florida Panther.

Old Depot now used as city hall, Alapaha

Berrien County Chamber of Commerce