Kalamazoo

41 historical markers in Michigan

A.U.V. Auditorium

Kalamazoo, MI

Completed in 1898, this huge building, with its elegant ballroom, replaced the old hall of the German Workingmen’s Benevolent Association...

Barn Theatre

Augusta, MI

The Barn Theatre, originally constructed in 1943 by Robert M. Cook as a dairy barn, is the home of Michigan’s oldest resident summer...

Community Library

Richland, MI

The Ladies Library Association raised the funds to build this Classical Revival-style building, which was completed in 1910.

Congregational United Church of Christ

Galesburg, MI

This congregation has held services continually since 1832.

Cooper Congregational Church

Cooper Township, MI

This church was built in 1856 with money raised from the sale of family church pews—a popular fund-raising method used in new England and...

Daniel B. Eldred House

Climax, MI

In 1835 New York native Daniel B. Eldred built this house, which is believed to be the earliest frame dwelling in Climax.

David S. Walbridge

Kalamazoo, MI

Born in Vermont in 1802, David S. Walbridge became one of Kalamazoo’s most distinguished citizens.

De Lano Homestead

Kalamazoo, MI

William Smith DeLano (1819-1901) was a southwestern Michigan pioneer settler.

East Hall

Kalamazoo, MI

In 1903 the State Legislature provided for the creation of Western State Normal School, the forerunner of Western Michigan University, a...

Edward Israel Arctic Pioneer

Kalamazoo, MI

Near here is the grave of Edward Israel who went on the nation’s first polar expedition, led by Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely.

Epaphroditus Ransom

Kalamazoo, MI

The only resident of Kalamazoo to be elected governor of Michigan during its first 150 years, Epaphroditus Ransom lived and farmed on...

Fanny M. Bair Library

Vicksburg, MI

Fanny M. Bair, a member of one of Vicksburg’s pioneer families, built this library and presented it to the Ladies Library Association on...

First Baptist Church

Kalamazoo, MI

Constructed in 1853, this is the oldest church building in Kalamazoo.

First United Methodist Church

Kalamazoo, MI

In 1830 the Reverend James T. Robe, a young Methodist circuit rider, delivered the first sermon in the village of Bronson, later...

First Women's Club in Michigan

Kalamazoo, MI

This building, completed in 1879, is the first in the nation erected for the use of a women’s club.

Harris Family

Oshtemo Township, MI

Among the earliest pioneers of Oshtemo Township was a black family, that of Enoch and Deborah Harris.

Haymarket Historic District

Kalamazoo, MI

Development began in the Haymarket district as early as the 1830s and was spurred by the construction of the Grand Rapids and Indiana...

Haymarket Historic District 2

Kalamazoo, MI

Development began in the Haymarket district as early as the 1830s and was spurred by the construction of the Grand Rapids and Indiana...

Indian Fields

Kalamazoo, MI

This locality, known as Indian Fields, was the site of a large Potawatomi village.

Kalamazoo Celery

Kalamazoo, MI

A Scotsman named Taylor grew the first celery in Kalamazoo in 1856.

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo, MI

This school, Baptist in origin, was chartered in 1833 by the Territory of Michigan as the Michigan and Huron Institute and held its first...

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo, MI

The first classroom building for the Michigan and Huron Institute, now Kalamazoo College, was erected on this site between June and...

Kalamazoo Gazette

Kalamazoo, MI

Founded in 1833 as the weekly Michigan Statesman and St. Joseph Chronicle, this newspaper, edited by Henry Gilbert, followed the United...

Kalamazoo School Case

Kalamazoo, MI

Near here, in 1858, Kalamazoo’s first high school was opened.

Kalamazoo State Hospital

Kalamazoo, MI

Until the 1840s the mentally ill received little therapy and often were neglected.

Kindleberger Park

Parchment, MI

On July 28, 1930, Jacob and Lucinda Kindleberger donated thirty-eight acres of land to create a park for the recently founded village of...

Michigan State Grange

Kalamazoo, MI

Organized in 1873, the Michigan State Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry held its first annual meeting in January 1874 at...

Pioneer Cemetery

Kalamazoo, MI

South Westnedge Street Park is actually Kalamazoo’s first cemetery.

Stuart Neighborhood

Kalamazoo, MI

Charles Stuart, politician and lawyer, initiated this residential area with the building of his Italianate house in 1858.

Stuart Neighborhood Marker One - Woodward Elementary School

Kalamazoo, MI

Homes of this neighborhood reflect the individuality and at times the economic status of their original owners.

The First Presbyterian Church

Richland, MI

Settlers from Hudson, Ohio, came to the Richland area (then known as Gull Prairie) in 1830.

The Kalamazoo Region

Texas Charter Township, MI

Kalamazoo is an Indian word said to mean “boiling water.

The Kalamazoo Region

Alamo Township, MI

Kalamazoo is an Indian word said to mean “boiling water.

The Kalamazoo Region

Comstock Township, MI

Kalamazoo is an Indian word said to mean “boiling water.

The Stuart House

Kalamazoo, MI

This historic house was built in 1858 for United States Senator Charles E. Stuart.

The Upjohn Company

Kalamazoo, MI

The Upjohn Pill and Granule Company was founded on this site in 1886 by Dr. William E. Upjohn and his three brothers—Dr. Henry U.,...

Union Pump Company

Kalamazoo, MI

In 1884, A.E. Preston, John Heyser, Edward Keet, and James Gridley opened a small machine shop in the basement of a wagon shop.

Vicker's Mill

Vicksburg, MI

In 1831 John Vickers built a brush dam over the eight-foot waterfall on Portage Creek and erected a log gristmill.

W.K. Kellogg House

Ross Township, MI

W. K. Kellogg (1860-1951) founded the Toasted Corn Flake Company of Battle Creek in 1906.

West Main Hill Historic District

Kalamazoo, MI

Businessman Frank Henderson capitalized on the topography when he platted the West Main Hill neighborhood.

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

Established by legislative act in 1903 as Western State Normal School, the first classes were held in 1904.

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