Updates on the Alma Powell Branch Library can be found on kpl.gov/pow

Government

Annexation

From 1843 to 1962, the village/city of Kalamazoo expanded its geographic jurisdiction from a half a square mile to approximately 25 square miles. Much of the area that was annexed…

Bradley, Gilbert H., Jr.

“Gil has something unique to offer our community. During his ten years as a resident of Kalamazoo, he has been a student, factory worker, union member, teacher, social worker, and…

Caroline Ham

First elected to the Kalamazoo City Commission in 1975, Caroline Ham has the distinction of being the city’s first woman mayor, having beat out several other candidates in 1981 in…

Corporation Hall - City Hall

Kalamazoo Village officers first got a home of their own with the 1867 construction of Corporation Hall on the west side of S. Burdick Street between South Street and Michigan Avenue. Fire companies were located on the first floor, with additional...

Kalamazoo Mayors

Before 1884, Kalamazoo was a village, led by a village president. In 1884, Kalamazoo became incorporated as a city and the office of mayor was instituted. List compiled by Kris Rzepczynski, former…

Kalamazoo Village Presidents

Before 1884, Kalamazoo was a village, led by a village president. In 1884, Kalamazoo became incorporated as a city and the office of mayor was instituted. List compiled by Kris Rzepczynski, former KPL staff…

Kalamazoo’s City Government

In 1836, the Village of Bronson was renamed Kalamazoo. Seven years later it was incorporated as a village. In 1884, the Village of Kalamazoo adopted a charter and was incorporated as a city. The city instated a commission-manager form of...

Luna "Lou" Henshaw

Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 2006.39.3 Luna “Lou” Henshaw (later Zwisler) holds the distinction of being the first woman elected to sit on the Kalamazoo City Commission. On 14 November 1921, Henshaw…

New Deal Projects

Works Progress Administration poster, Library of Congress Collection Throughout the late 1930s, the Roosevelt administration’s New Deal programs (Works Progress Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, Civil Works Administration, Farm Security Administration,…

U.S. Congressmen

In 2023, the 4th U.S. district congressmen represents Kalamazoo County, but in the past, the district began as the 3rd, and then changed to the 6th in 1993. The following…

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…

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