Parking Lot Construction: As part of our ongoing work to maintain and improve Central Library, the parking lot will be closed for construction from Tuesday, July 28, to Saturday, August 1. Visit the Central Library page for more details. 

Notice of Public Meeting: Kalamazoo Public Library Board of Trustees | July 27 | 5:30 pm | Central Library/Van Deusen Room. The packet of information for the meeting can be found on the library’s website. 

Local History

Biographies

Hodgman, Francis

History reminds us that it isn’t always the big and medium size cities that produce transformative individuals. Francis Hodgman was born and lived in the small village of Climax for most of his life, but left an indelible legacy.

Torrey, George Jr.

George Torrey Jr.’s contribution to Kalamazoo’s cultural development throughout the 19th century followed both from his work as a journalist for the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper, and from his efforts…

Towsley, Matilda and Della Pierce

In 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. In the Kalamazoo area, Matilda Towsley and Della Pierce practiced medicine in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Trombley, George “Lem”

During the early years of the 20th century, George “Lem” Trombley became one of Kalamazoo's favorite musicians. His ragtime-era compositions sold thousands and his performances were inspiring, but his real dream was to organize a symphony orchestra.

Tyson, Grace

From the final decades of the nineteenth century into the midst of the “roaring twenties,” Grace Tyson, a child actress from Kalamazoo, was to become one of the most popular and respected worldwide stage and vaudeville stars of her time.

Upjohn, William E.

William Erastus Upjohn was the founder, and for nearly 40 years, the president of The Upjohn Company. Upjohn was one of twelve children born to Dr. Uriah Upjohn, an area…

Van Deusen, Edwin H. and Cynthia Wendover

Unless the thousands of patrons that stream through the doors of the Central Library in downtown Kalamazoo make their way to the third floor, they are unlikely to know of Dr. Edwin…

Vander Horst, Henry

One could easily make the claim for Henry L. Vander Horst being Kalamazoo’s most important 20th century contractor.

Walbridge, David S.

Born in Bennington, Vermont in 1802, David Safford Walbridge’s ties to Kalamazoo began in 1842, when the industrious Walbridge arrived to continue his mercantile pursuits and political ambitions. Walbridge’s grist…

Walker, Moses L.

Even after passing away in January of 2020 at age 79, longtime civic leader Moses L. Walker was still receiving accolades for his many years of service to the community.…

Walker, R. Dexter

R. Dexter Walker was one of Kalamazoo’s most successful early brickmakers. During the 1860s, his seven-man operation produced a half-million handmade bricks each year and provided materials for numerous houses and commercial buildings.

Washington, Arthur Jr.

In January of 2003, the Justice Center facility at Crosstown Parkway and S. Burdick Street was named in honor of Kalamazoo’s first black city commissioner, Arthur Washington Jr.. A humble…

Wells, Hezekiah G.

Hezekiah G. Wells holds the distinction of having served as village president more than any other citizen.

Westnedge, Joseph B.

Barbed wire. Mustard gas. Machine-gun fire. No man's land. Colonel Joseph Burchnall Westnedge faced these deadly challenges daily as he defended our country in the first World War.

White, Albert

Albert White was an African American building contractor who lived and worked in Kalamazoo from the 1870s until his death in 1930. He and his men helped build a number of well known structures in Kalamazoo history.

White, Wallace S.

Wallace S. White was one of Kalamazoo’s most noteworthy early photographers and an accomplished bandleader. White’s images provide an outstanding visual record of the community’s early architecture and a compelling glance at everyday local life.

Whitten, Anna L.

In 1999, Anna Whitten received the Women of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Kalamazoo. In their brochure for the event, Whitten was described as “one of the busiest public…

Wood, Smith L.

Today, residents know of “Woods Lake”, sans the apostrophe, but who was the man whose family name came to be woven into the history of the nearby Winchell and Oakwood Neighborhoods?