West Main Hill Historic District

Businessman Frank Henderson capitalized on the topography when he platted the West Main Hill neighborhood. The naturalistic plan features curving, tree-lined streets and deep setbacks. Although platted in 1888, West Main Hill did not fully develop until the early twentieth century when motorized transportation eased residents’ commute to the city’s manufacturing and business centers.

The district, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is bounded by West Main Street, Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo College, and the city limit. The houses exhibit a variety of architectural styles and range from modest bungalows to the opulent Henderson Castle on the neighborhood’s highest point.