Early Kalamazoo Breweries (1837-1915)
“The Brew from Kalamazoo”
1830s—1840s | 1850s | 1860s—1880s | 1890s—1915 | 1915—1933
The Second Round: “Strong Beer” & “Small Beer”
The village of Kalamazoo grew considerably during the 1840s. In 1842, still years ahead of railroad service in town, merchants Foster & Fish were selling “Strong Beer” by the barrel and half-barrel at their Cash Store on Main Street. While the source of their brew is undocumented, Gideon Foster and Lucian Fish were closely associated with the mill on Portage Creek and most likely would have secured their goods from the brewery nearby.
By 1850, the population of Kalamazoo Township had grown to more than 3,200, with just over 2,500 residents in the village itself. Federal census records tell us there were four professional brewers working in Kalamazoo by then: Benjamin Hall, Jason Russell, Jacob Harlan, and James Holmes.
Hall & Russell
According to the Federal Census Non-Population Schedule for 1850, “Hall & Russell” (Benjamin Hall and Jason Russell, then owners of the brewery on Arcadia Creek at the west end of the village) had reportedly produced some 14,000 gallons of beer that year, a respectable amount for a village of 2,500. But as the census taker made his rounds, he identified a second brewery and its operator, Jacob Harlan. Although no addresses were given, the entry on the census taker’s form for Harland’s brewery came immediately after entries for Andrew Taylor’s Woolen Factory and the Solomon Stone & Co. flouring mill (successor to D.S. Walbridge), indicating the businesses were probably in close proximity with one another. Since Stone & Company were known to be operating the Portage Mill by then and Taylor’s factory was nearby, it’s likely that Harlan was conducting his brewing business in the same area.
Jacob Harlan (1795-1860)
Jacob Harlan, a cooper by trade, was born in Germany in 1795. He and Carolina Borel (Burrell) were married in Baden, Germany, in January 1821, and arrived with their five children in New York in September 1832 aboard the British ship “Elizabeth.” By October 1838, Harlan was receiving mail at the Kalamazoo post office and was listed on the 1840 U.S. Federal Census as a Kalamazoo resident with six children. (Their son Theodore had been born in Kalamazoo by then.)
After arriving in Kalamazoo, it’s likely that Harlan may have worked with John Hall at the brewery near the Portage Mill east of the village. According to a deed recorded in March 1844, Harlan purchased 28.4 acres in Section 22 from Justice Burdick, which included the property where the brewery would have been located. Harlan most likely took over John Hall’s operation around that time, while Hall moved on to build a new brewery west of the village.
According to the Federal Census Non-Population Schedule for 1850, Harlan’s brewery consumed 1,600 bushels of barley and produced about 10,000 gallons (320 barrels) of beer that year. On 8 July 1850, Harlan sold his 28.4-acre parcel (which included the brewery) to Richard Gilbert and offered a “few barrels of first best vinegar for sale at wholesale or retail at his residence.” The property changed hands a few times thereafter, but by all indications, the brewery remained shuttered until after the Civil War. Harlan worked as a cooper in Kalamazoo at least until 1860, but his whereabouts after that is unknown.
James S. Holmes (1809-1863)
James S. Holmes was a fourth Kalamazoo resident to be identified as a “Brewer” on the 1850 census, although he was evidently not a brewery owner since his name did not appear on the Federal Census Non-Population Schedule. Holmes was born in 1809 in the village of Burwell in Cambridgeshire, England, some 70 miles northeast of London. He married Susan Miller in December 1830 and remained in Burwell until eventually setting sail for the Americas. Holmes arrived in New York on 30 May 1837 aboard the English ship “Sir Edward Hamilton” with his wife Susan and their two children. A third child, an infant daughter, did not survive the journey.
The family moved quickly to Michigan and eventually settled in Kalamazoo, where it’s likely that Holmes worked for a time with John Hall at the new “Kalamazoo Brewery” on Arcadia Creek. In December 1845, Susan Holmes died unexpectedly, perhaps a victim of maternal mortality, as their son Syrus was born around the same time. Holmes later purchased a lot and established a home with his children on the south side of Main Street in what was then the residential section of the village.
Map showing the location of Block 16, NE corner of Burdick Street and Kalamazoo Avenue, c.1844. Kalamazoo Public Library
“Wood’s Brewery”
Soon after Hall & Russell closed up shop on the west side of the village, a new brewery appeared on North Burdick Street near the Michigan Central Railroad depot. It is not known exactly when the brewery was built or even who built it, but the lot itself (Lot 1 Block 16 in the village plat) underwent an interesting series of ownership changes, perhaps some of which were based on speculation about the impending arrival of the railroad line.
When the Michigan Central Railroad came through in 1846, the tracks followed Willard Street across the northern part of the village, which placed Lot 1 (and later the brewery) directly across the street from the passenger depot. The well-known writer James Fenimore Cooper purchased the entire block from Horace Comstock in 1841, still years ahead of the Michigan Central’s arrival. Shortly after the railroad arrived, Cooper sold Lot 1 to William H. Averill, who held the property for a few years before selling it to John Dudgeon in 1852. Dudgeon, who ran a warehouse near the depot, then sold the lot to Rollin Wood.
The brewery, by then known in the vernacular as “Wood’s Brewery,” is clearly shown on Henry Hart’s 1853 map of the village, although identified therein as “Holmes & Hall.” Whether Wood himself had anything to do with the brewery is anybody’s guess, but more than likely he was simply the property owner who leased it to others, probably Holmes and Hall. The brewery’s existence was further documented in June 1853 when a disastrous fire destroyed the Michigan Central passenger depot, but spared many of the surrounding businesses, including “Wood’s Brewery, and several smaller buildings” (Gazette).
“Though the state was supposedly dry at this time, Kalamazoo had two breweries, two distilleries, and five saloons which did not deem it expedient to use the advertising columns.”
—Kalamazoo Gazette, 16 June 1929
Location of Hall & Holmes brewery (Burdick Street looking west, Kalamazoo Avenue left, M.C.R.R. depot top right) Bird’s-eye-view lithograph, 1867-1868, by Charles Shober, Chicago. Courtesy, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Holmes & Hall Brewery and Saloon
In November 1855, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported that James Holmes and Benjamin Hall had just erected and opened “a new and spacious dining saloon” next door to the brewery on Burdick Street. Months later, Hall & Holmes were offering market price in cash for up to 5,000 bushels of barley for their brewery. In November 1856, Hall and Holmes bought the entire lot from Rollin Wood, including “Wood’s Brewery.”
Benjamin Hall died in February 1859, leaving James Holmes as a sole proprietor. By 1860 the brewery consumed 1,000 bushels of malted barley and a quarter ton of hops each year, while producing about 350 barrels (roughly 11,000 gallons) of beer annually. Holmes continued to operate the Burdick Street brewery and saloon until his own death in 1863. Benjamin Hall was buried in the Hall family plot in Mountain Home Cemetery, while James S. Holmes was laid to rest across town at Riverside, “the cemetery for the common man.” The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission today occupies the lot where the brewery once stood.
Holmes & Hall Brewery c.1853. Map of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Surveyed & Published by Henry Hart, New York, 1853. Local History Room.
“Small Beer”
John Williams bottle, c.1852, courtesy, Jeff Scharnowske
“Small beer” (sometimes called table beer) is a lager or ale that contains less alcohol by volume (ABV) than its “strong beer” counterparts. Early American small beer was brewed from the spent grain used to make stronger beer, which typically resulted in ABV levels between 0.5% and 2.8%. Small beer was embraced by the temperance (early prohibition) movement during the 19th century and became especially popular among families and laborers. Children were allowed to drink small beer as it was believed to be safer than drinking water.
John Williams’ “Small Beer Manufactory”
In May 1852, John Williams began advertising his “Small Beer Manufactory” on Main Street between Rose and Park, opposite the courthouse. Low alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks like soda water, lemon pop, and “Dr. Cronk’s compound Sarsaparilla Beer” were Williams’ specialties. While primarily a soft drink manufacturer, Williams and his successors are included in this discussion simply because their names are often listed among other local “strong beer” brewers.
City Bottling Works
Myron W. Seymour (born 1840) eventually took over John Williams’ operation and by 1860 he was manufacturing “Cronk Beer,” sassafras (root beer), and lemon pop at Williams’ old location on Main Street. By 1867, the operation had moved a block north to the 200 block of North Church Street and was known by then as the City Bottling Works. J.W. Rose was the proprietor until about 1876, when the company was taken over by a local root beer maker named William H. Russell. Russell remained in charge for some seventeen years until he was succeeded by Henry F. Schoenheit in 1893.
The Progressive Herald, 22 November 1913
Henry F. Schoenheit
City Bottling Works, 210-212 N. Church Street, c.1904. Progressive Kalamazoo. Local History Room.
Henry Schoenheit was no stranger to the bottling industry. According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, he had been “engaged in this line of business in cities all over the United States” since about 1870. In 1883 he was partnering with Charles South DeWitt at their Mineral Water Bottling Works in the 300 block of East Main Street. That business had ceased by the end of the decade, but Schoenheit reemerged soon after as a manufacturer of soda and mineral waters when he purchased the City Bottling Works on North Church Street.
In 1905, Schoenheit built a new building and moved the City Bottling Works to Portage Street. He expanded his business to include a line of quality bar glassware, which was sold in many states, along with carbonated and mineral waters, orange cider, lemon sour, cream ale, sherbet, birch beer, root beer, strawberry and cream soda, and other soft drinks. Schoenheit’s own brand of ginger ale was a local and regional favorite.
Henry Schoenheit became a strong industry advocate. In 1912 he helped organize and became president of the Michigan State Bottlers’ Protective Association with bottlers from all parts of the state, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Bay City, Traverse City and Lansing. Schoenheit retired in the spring of 1918 and sold the City Bottling Works to the Michigan Coca-Cola Bottling Company. While visiting relatives a few weeks later in Rochester, New York, he suffered a stroke on May 13 and passed away shortly after at the age of 58. His body was returned to Kalamazoo and laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
City Bottling Works (interior), Portage Street, c.1909. Labadie’s Souvenir of Picturesque Kalamazoo, p.99. Local History Room.
“The Temperance Pledge: ‘We, the undersigned, do pledge ourselves’ to each other, as gentlemen, that we will not, hereafter, drink any spirituous liquors, wine, malt or cider, unless in sickness, and under the prescription of a physician.’”
—Kalamazoo Gazette, 15 April 1842
Early Prohibition Efforts
Today, we tend to associate prohibition with the gangsters and speakeasies of the 1920s but in fact, the movement against the consumption of alcohol (known as temperance) began in the United States nearly a century beforehand, during the 1820s. While many temperance supporters advocated moderation rather than total abstinence, the movement to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol grew steadily, especially during the 1840s. Maine passed one of the nation’s first liquor laws in 1851, which prohibited the sale of all alcoholic beverages “except for medicinal, mechanical, scientific and sacramental purposes” (Gazette). In 1853, Michigan passed a similar law banning the sale of alcohol.
“Pledge of the Kalamazoo Cold Water Army.
A Pledge we make, no wine to take;
Nor brandy red, that turns the head;
Nor whisky hot, that makes the sot;
Nor fiery rum, to ruin home;
Nor will we sin, by drinking gin;
Hard cider too, will never do;
Nor sparkling ale, the face to pale;
Nor brewer’s beer, the heart to cheer;
To quench our thirst,
we’ll always bring
Cold Water from the well or Spring;
So here we pledge, perpetual hate
To ALL that can INTOXICATE.”
—Michigan Telegraph, 10 April 1846
Some parts of Michigan took immediate action to enforce this new “dry” mandate, but the law lacked broad support, and many judges refused to enforce it, including Kalamazoo judge Abner Pratt. Defiance became so widespread that by 1875 the law was dissolved and replaced with a statewide liquor tax program. Although efforts to re-enact the prohibition law in 1877 and 1879 both failed, the movement continued to gain momentum.
Kalamazoo Temperance Reform
Song sheet published by Daniel C. McAllister, Kalamazoo, c.1884. Library of Congress
The “Union Sunday School Temperance Reform Army” was organized in Kalamazoo about 1872. Under the leadership of Sunday school superintendent D.O. Roberts, members worked hard to further the temperance cause among village youth. In June 1875, New Hampshire temperance evangelist and “eloquent temperance lecturer” (Telegraph) Francis Murphy held a series of lectures in Kalamazoo, which prompted local supporters to organize the “Kalamazoo Temperance Reform Association” with local probate judge George M. Buck as president.
Temperance supporters typically opposed most forms of strong drink, but their primary focus (at least in the beginning) was on moderation rather than abstention (hence the term “temperance”). Early followers rallied strongly against the excessive consumption of hard spirits (rum, whiskey, etc.), but many stopped short of total abstinence when it came to beer. The brewers soon used this trend to their advantage and sought to distance themselves from the distillers by portraying beer as a healthy alternative to hard liquor. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, brewers began to promote their product as a “family beverage” and a “temperance drink.” Some called it “liquid bread.”
Written by Keith Howard, Kalamazoo Public Library Staff, 2011. Updates and corrections, March 2025.
Sources
Books
Johnston’s Detroit city directory and advertising gazetteer of Michigan
Detroit, MI : James Dale Johnston & Co., 1861, page 226 (C.W. Minard)
Harvard University Library
Compendium of History and Biography of Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Chicago, IL : A.W. Bowen & Co., 1906, page 268 (George Neumaier)
H 977.417 F53 (CEN)
Labadie’s souvenir of picturesque Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, MI : E.E. Labadie; printed by Kalamazoo Publishing Company, 1909, page 99
H 977.418 P62 1909 (CEN)
Kalamazoo, the place behind the products : an illustrated history
Larry B. Massie
Woodland Hills, CA : Windsor Publications, 1981
H 977.418 M417 (CEN)
977.418 M417 (CEN, OSH)
Kalamazoo, the place behind the products : an illustrated history
Larry B. Massie
Sun Valley, Calif. : American Historical Press, 1998, (revised edition)
H 977.418 M417A (CEN)
977.418 M417A (CEN, OSH)
Last call : the rise and fall of Prohibition
Daniel Okrent
New York : Scribner, c2010
363.41 O418 (CEN)
Yes, there were Germans in Kalamazoo : a short study of the German element and its influence in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1830-1978
Elizabeth M. Mayer
Kalamazoo, MI : Kalamazoo County Historical Society, 1979
H 325.243 M468 (CEN)
Articles
“Improvements in Kalamazoo”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 15 April 1837, page 2
“Summer beer”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 5 May 1838, page 1
“…improvements now going forward…”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 4 December 1846, page 2
“To make beer”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 13 August 1847, page 2
“Brewery for sale”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 2 April 1852, page 2
“Kalamazoo, its business”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 17 October 1856, page 2
“Peter Herboldsheimer…”
Kalamazoo Telegraph, 9 March 1859, page 3, column 2
“Syke & Foegele”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 29 March 1861, page 3, column 5
“Fire.”
Kalamazoo Telegraph, 16 October 1867, page 4
“Ale, lager beer, and porter”
Kalamazoo Telegraph, 21 May 1869, page 4
“List of liquor dealers who have taken out the liquor tax license”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 11 June 1875, page 3
“Centennialities: the brewers…”
Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, 2 March 1876, page 2, column 2
“Report of tax collected on the business of selling and manufacturing liquors in Kalamazoo County for the year ending December 25, 1877”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 1 January 1878, page 4
“Kalamazoo. A general review of the business and commercial interests of the ‘Big Village.’”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 4 July 1878, page 3
“Mortgage sale”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 30 September 1879, page 4
“A scarcity of water. Old brewery building totally destroyed by fire”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 13 June 1886, page 2
“Local gleanings”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 17 July 1890, page 5
“He was a true patriot”
Kalamazoo Telegraph, 24 September 1891, page 6, column 2
“On draught Saturday”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 18 January 1895, page 1
“Where beer is made”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 26 April 1899, page 6
“$30,000 in improvements”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 28 October 1900, page 8
“City Union Brewery”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 14 February 1904, page 10
“Irish pioneer is ninety today”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 3 June 1905, page 8, column 2
“Brewing company directors”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 16 January 1907, page 9
“Call for the brew from Kalamazoo”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 2 August 1907, page 5, column 5
“High approval given Kalamazoo Brewing Co.”
Kalamazoo Gazette. 20 August 1911, page 6
“Home made beer, its advantages”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 19 June 1912, page 24
“Kalamazoo County goes dry with majority of 890”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 6 April 1915, page 1
“Your last chance”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 25 April 1915, page 11, column 4
“Booze specials into this city tabooed”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 1 May 1915, page 1, column 8
“County bars close their doors, Friday”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 1 May 1915, page 9
“Kazoo Brewing property sold”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 3 May 1917, page 1
“Brewing company is now dissolved”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 5 September 1917, page 7, column 4
“Creamery buys brewery plant”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 25 February 1919, page 5
“Kazoo in olden days had five breweries…”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 30 May 1920, page 7
“Kalamazoo had four breweries in operation half century ago”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 19 April 1933, page 23
“One-time brewery tumbles”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 4 November 1968, page 21, column 3
“The impact of organized crime in the city of Chicago”
Taylor Hales and Nikolas Kazmers, English 217 Student Projects
University of Michigan, 2004
“Michigan’s beer boom: for craft brewers, the glass isn’t just half-full, it’s overflowing”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 20 February 2011, page 1
“Former Kalamazoo Creamery building on Portage Street to be demolished as officials look to redevelopment possibilities”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 4 May 2011 [MLive online]
“Former Kalamazoo Creamery Co. building being razed with plans for property redevelopment in the future”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 15 November 2011 [MLive online]
Databases
Ancestry Library (In Library Only)
New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957
United States Federal Census (1850, 1860, 1870, 1880)
U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918
Michigan Census, 1827-70
Census Records
Nicholas Bauman household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 108, dwelling 788, family 788
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Nicholas Bauman household, 1880 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 47, dwelling 498, family 498
57 Burdick Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Joseph Burchnal household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 10, dwelling 148, family 139
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Joseph Burchnal household, 1870 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 19, dwelling 67, family 69
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Foegle household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 86, dwelling 634, family 634
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Foegle household, 1870 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 35, dwelling 10, family 10
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Benjamin Hall household, 1850 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 16, dwelling 122, family 124
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
John Hall household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 132, dwelling 963, family 965
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Jacob Harlan household, 1840 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 5, Line 25
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Jacob Harlan household, 1850 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 48, dwelling 362, family 375
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Jacob Harlan household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 107, dwelling 783, family 783
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Peter Harboldsheemer household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 28, dwelling 207, family 205
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Judge household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 111, dwelling 807, family 807
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Judge household, 1870 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 227, dwelling 1387, family 1349
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Judge household, 1880 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 39, dwelling 492, family 492
Residence: 132 North Burdick Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
C.W. Minard household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Census Place: Detroit Ward 9, Wayne, Michigan, page 36, dwelling 243, family 260
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Neumaier household (w/ Alfred Neumaier), 1880 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 7, dwelling 60, family 60
Address: 6 Lake Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Alfred Neumaier household, 1910 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 13, dwelling 170, family 178
Address: 825 Lake Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Alfred Neumaier household, 1920 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 2, dwelling 12, family 12
Address: 825 Lake Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Alfred Neumaier household, 1930 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 22, dwelling 252, family 279
Address: 803 Lake Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Jason Russell household, 1850 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 16, dwelling 122, family 124
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
J Sessaman household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 23, dwelling 169, family 169
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Joseph Slater household, 1870 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Brady, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 11, dwelling 87, family 87
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Joseph Slater household, 1880 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Brady, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 2, dwelling 13, family 14
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
John Stern household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 86, dwelling 634, family 634
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Sebastian Syke household, 1860 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 72, dwelling 535, family 535
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Sebastian Sykes household, 1880 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page 38, dwelling 395, family 395
Address: 1 Lovell Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Leo Wagenman household, 1900 United States Federal Population Census [database on-line]
Census Place: Toledo Ward 1, Lucas, Ohio, page 27, dwelling 296, family 306
Address: 1825 Ontario Street
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Peter Harpoldshimer, 1860 U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page: 1; line: 11; Schedule Type: Industry
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Syke & Fogle, 1860 U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page: 1; line: 16; Schedule Type: Industry
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Gustavus Sipaman (Sesemann), 1860 U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page: 1; line: 8; Schedule Type: Industry
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
James S. Holmes, 1860 U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, [database on-line]
Census Place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, page: 1; line: 20; Schedule Type: Industry
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Nonpopulation Census for Michigan – Industry (1850, 1860)
Deeds and Land Records
Walnut Street Brewery (& related)
4/16/1851: Lorenz Brentano from Caleb Sweetland. Liber Q, page 439. Sec 28 (T3S, R11W) (see deed) $4,950
10/15/1857: Lorenz Brentano from Louis R. Davis. Liber 4, page 38. (T2S, R11W) Lot 4, ep(east part?) $1,100 Village lot numbered four (4) in Alexis Ransom’s Addition (East side of Burdick Street between Walnut and Cedar Streets)
8/11/1858: Lorenz Brentano to Matilda Haeflin. Liber 5, page 153. Sec 8 (T3S, R11W)
3/26/1859: Caroline Brentano from Matilda Haeflin. Liber 8, page 131. Sec 8 (T3S, R11W) NW ¼
10/15/1859: L. Brentano to Gustav A Brooks. Liber 8, page 716. Sec 8 (T3S, R11W) NW ¼
9/22/1862: Lorenz Brentano and Caroline Brentano to F.A. Jensch (Frederick Augustus Jensch). Liber 16, page 182. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 240 den Bleyker Addition ($800 mortgage due to P. den Bleyker)
1/3/1865: Nicholas Baumann from Abraham Silas. Liber 19, page 406. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 236 den Bleyker Addition
7/14/1866: B. Locher from F.A. Jensch. Liber 24, page 232. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 240 den Bleyker Addition
2/24/1866: Lorenz Brentano to Lucia E. Lorenz. Liber 16, page 440. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 4 Ranson’s Addition
7/9/1867: Bernhard Locher from Dorothy Bradley. Liber 25, page 375. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lots 236, 237, 238, 239 den Bleyker Addition
3/26/1869: Caroline Brentano from Matilda Haeflin. Liber 12, page 379. Sec 8 (T3S, R11W) NW ¼
Winsted Street Brewery (& related)
6/10/1852: Nicholas Baumann from Abraham Letti. Liber 19, page 271
6/28/1856: Nicholas Baumann from Rice & Van De Walker. Liber 1, page 467. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lots 8 & 9 (Rice & Van De Walker Addition)
7/16/1859: Nicholas Baumann to Gustav Sesemann. Liber 5, page 785. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 7, 8, 9 (Rice & Van De Walker Addition)
1/26/1860: Nicholas Baumann from P. den Bleyker. Liber 18, page 359. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 165 den Bleyker Addition
9/17/1860: G Sesemann to Phebe Hughes. Liber 11, page 366. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lots 7 8 9 (Rice & Van De Walker Addition)
1/28/1866: Nicholas Baumann to B. Meadin. Liber 18, page 360. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 165 (den Bleyker Addition)
7/10/1869: Nicholas Baumann from Merritt Goff. Liber 23, page 548. Sec 20 (T2S, R11W) Lot 205
11/8/1870: Phebe Hughes to Fredrich Sieferth. Liber 31, page 340. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) Lot 9 and part of Lot 1 (Rice & Van De Walker Addition)
North Burdick Street Brewery (& related)
3/6/1841: H.H. Comstock to James F Cooper. Liber F, page 225. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Village lots (block 16)
11/16/1846: William H. Averill from J. Fennimore Cooper. Liber P, page 390. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Lot 1 Block 16
5/6/1848: James S. Holmes from Luther Trask. Liber Q, page 525. Sec 16 (T2S, R11W)
5/5/1852: John Dudgeon from William H. Averill. Liber S, page 189. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Lot 1 Block 16, Lot 5 Block 15
5/4/1853: Jacob Harlan from T.C. Sheldon. Liber Y, page 238. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Part of Lots 237, 235
5/23/1854: John Dudgeon to Cock & Thomas (Henry F. Cock and Alfred Thomas). Liber V, page 542. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Lot 1 Block 16 “ex yrd 4 rods front on Burdick St, south end of lot”
1/4/1855: James S. Holmes from Warren Barrell. Liber V, page 73. Sec 16 (T2S, R11W) part of lot 17
5/26/1856: Jacob Harlan to John Mentz. Liber 2, page 164. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) E ½ of Lot 235
11/1/1856: Hall & Holmes from Rollin Wood. Liber 2, page 75. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) part pf Lot 1 Block 16
3/20/1857: Jacob Harlan from Horace Moran. Liber 5, page 612. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) part of lot 235
3/26/1857: Jacob Harlan to Horace Moser. Liber 2, page 468. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) W ½ of Lot 237
8/24/1857: Jacob Harlan to Joseph Miller, Jr. Liber 3, page 395. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) part of lot 235
5/20/1857: Jacob Harlan to Horace Moser. Liber 2, page 468. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) west ½ of lot 237
8/24/1857: Jacob Harlan to Joseph Miller, Jr. Liber 3, page 395. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) part of lot 235
2/15/1859: Jacob Harlan to Lawrence S Welty. Liber 5, page 692. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Part of lot 235
7/7/1859: Benjamin Hall to John W. Breese. Liber 5, page 753. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) lot 263
7/12/1859: Benjamin Hall to John Hall. Liber 8, page 698. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) Part of Lot 1 Block 16 & brewery
10/10/1859: John Hall to James S. Holmes. Liber 8, page 708. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
Michigan Avenue Brewery (& related)
10/22/1844: Jason Russell from Anthony Cooley & wife. Liber J, page 74. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) 1st W of Lot 1 (first lot west of Village Lot #1, south side of Water Street)
2/6/1845: Jason Russell from W.R. Watson. Liber M, page 137. (T2S, R11W) Lot 9 Block 21
4/19/1845: Jason Russell to Anthony Cooley. Liber J, page 223. (T2S, R11W) 4 x 8 rods
4/21/1845: Jason Russell from Anthony Cooley & wife. Liber J, page 224. Sec 15 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
6/15/1846: John Hall from Lovett Eames. Liber K, page 443. Sec 21 (T2S, R11W) Agreement
9/7/1846: John Hall from J.G. Abbott. Liber K, page 592. Sec 21 (T2S, R11W) 1 acre
6/24/1847: John Hall from Sam Clark. Liber M, page 102. Sec 16 (T2S, R11W) Lot 7
7/3/1847: John Hall from Sam Clark Liber M, page 176 Sec 16 (T2S, R11W) Lot 7
7/10/1847: Jason Russell to Brown & Garrett. Liber M, page 138. (T2S, R11W) Lot 9 Block 21
6/5/1848: John Hall and others from Russell & Allard. Liber N, page 352. (Contract between John Hall & Andrew Taylor and Jason Russell & Rip Allard for water use rights)
4/14/1849: John Hall from Jason Russell. Liber ‘O’, page 194. (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
1/5/1849: Jason Russell to George W. Russell. Liber ‘O’, page 14. (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
4/14/1849: Jason Russell to John Hall. Liber ‘O’, page 194. (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
4/14/1849: John Hall to Caroline Russell. Liber ‘O’, page 250. Sec 21 (T2S, R11W) 1 acre
12/8/1849: John Hall from D.B. Webster. Liber N, page 482. Sec 16 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
4/26/1851: Jason Russell to Ansel. K. Post. Liber S, page 458. (T2S, R11W)
4/26/1851: Jason Russell from Ansel K. Post. Liber Q, page 583. Sec 21, 28 (T2S, R12W)
4/26/1851: Ansel K. Post to Jason Russell. Liber Q, page 583. Sec 21, 28 (T2S, R12W)
1/2/1852: John Hall to Adeline Green. Liber S, page 179. (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
2/12/1852: Jason Russell to George Thomas Clark. Liber R, page 650. Sec 21, 28 (T2S, R12W) (see deed)
6/10/1852: Nicholas Baumann from Abraham Letti Liber 19, page 271 (see deed)
8/7/1852: Ansel K. Post to John Ell. Liber S, page 474.
4/4/1853: John Ell to George Thomas Clark. Liber V, page 741. Power of Attorney
10/22/1853: J.M. Johnson to Lovett Eames. Liber U, page 232. (see deed)
9/15/1857: George Foegele from Lawrence Welty. Liber 4, page 375. (T2S, R11W) part of Lot 193
12/16/1858: George Foegele to Lawrence Welty. Liber 5, page 214. (T2S, R11W) part of Lot 193
1/26/1960: Nicholas Baumann from P. den Bleyker. Liber, 18 page 359. Lot 165 den Bleyker Addition
9/29/1860: George Foegele to Latham Hull. Liber 24, page 286 (see deed)
4/2/1862: Nicholas Baumann from Bassett & Bates. Liber, 12 page 363. Sec 20 (T2S, R11W)
12/27/1862: Baumann & Foegele from J.G. Abbott. Liber, 14 page 433. Sec 21 (T2S, R11W) (see description)
12/27/1862: Foegele & Baumann from Silas Trowbridge. Liber, 15 page 260 (see deed)
3/21/1863: Baumann & Foegele from Silas Trowbridge. Liber 15, page 260. Sec 21 (T2S, R11W) (see description)
11/12/1866: George Foegele from Louisa V Bryant. Liber 27, page 30. NW ¼
Olmstead Road (Lake Street) Brewery
6/11/1853: Walter R. Watson to Levi S Hodge. Liber 7, page 594. Sec 22, 23 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
6/17/1853: Levi S. Hodge to Waldron Van Den Brink. Liber T, page 684. Sec 22, 23 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
10/23/1855: Isaac C. Birdzell to Lewis Reky. Liber Y, page 527 (536). Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) (see deed) $200
9/26/1856: Richard Taylor from W.H. Rice. Liber 18, page 199. Sec 30 (2, 10) W ½ of SW ¼
10/2/1865: Richard Taylor from Garrett Brooks. Liber 20, page 484. Sec 30 + 31 (2, 10) (see deed) 6 acres
10/11/1867: Lewis Reky & Wife (Ann Reky) to Richard Taylor. Liber 28, page 40. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) (see deed) $800
7/14/1869: Elizabeth Taylor from John Thackwray. Liber 29, page 329. Sec 31, 30 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
7/13/1869: Richard Taylor from John Thackwray. Liber 33, page 329. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
7/14/1869: John Thackwray from Richard Taylor. Liber 29, page 325. Sec 31, 30 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
7/28/1869: Reuben J. Taylor from Elizabeth & Richard Taylor. Liber 33, page 340. Sec 22, 23 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
6/17/1878: George Neumaier from S.H. Malley. Liber 48, page 557. Sec 22, 23 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
6/26/1886: George Neumaier from T.P. Sheldon. Liber 71, page 155. Sec 23 (T2S, R11W) 2 ¾ acres
11/5/1887: George Neumaier from Dewitt C. Reed. Liber 74, page 223. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) (see deed)
Additionitional property of interest north of Lake Street
3/18/1844: Jacob Harlan from J. Burdick. Liber J, page 577. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) 28 4/10 acres
7/8/1850: Jacob Harlan to Richard Gilbert. Liber Q, page 606. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) 28 4/10 acres
4/6/1851: Richard Gilbert, Jr. to A.B. Mullinell. Liber R, page 207. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) 28 4/10 acres
8/16/1851: A.B. Mullinell to Martin Healey Liber R, page 209. Sec 22 (T2S, R11W) 28 4/10 acres
3/8/1864: Martin Healey to Edmond Atkins. Liber 20, page 84. Sec 22, 23 (T2S, R11W) (see deed) 28 4/10 acres
Other Records
Nicholas Baumann, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: Apr 1895, Burial: Mountain Home Cemetery, Sec 6, Lot 22, Grave 4
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Lorenz Brentano, New York, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]
Year: 1849; Arrival: New York, New York; Ship Name: Splendid
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Joseph Burchnell [sic], U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: 20 Apr 1873, Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Section E
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Dorothy Nichols Burchnell [sic], U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: Apr 1892, Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Section E
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Benjamin Hall, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: 12 Feb 1859, Burial: Mountain Home Cemetery, Sec I, Lot 416, Grave 6
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
John Hall, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line].
Death: 14 Mar 1866, Burial: Mountain Home Cemetery, Sec I, Lot 416, Grave 12
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Judd [sic], New York, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]
Year: 1850; Arrival: New York, New York; Ship Name: Ocean Queen
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Judge, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: 7 Apr 1893, Burial: Riverside Cemetery
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Leo Kinast, New York, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1943 [database on-line]
Declaration Date: 22 Oct 1868
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Leo Kinast, New York, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]
Year: 1866; Arrival: New York, New York; Ship Name: Floride
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Alfred Neumaier, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: 26 January 1937, Burial: Riverside Cemetery
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Neumaier, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: 10 Aug 1907, Burial: Riverside Catholic Cemetery
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
George Neumaier, New York, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]
Year: 1866; Arrival: New York, New York; Ship Name: Floride
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Gustav Sesemann, New York, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]
Year: 1853; Arrival: New York, New York; Ship Name: Hermann Chevdorg
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Gustav Sesemann, New York, Emigrant Savings Bank Records, 1850-1883 [database on-line]
Transaction Date: 4 Oct 1862; Emigrant Savings Bank Transfer, Signature, and Test Book.
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Joseph Slater, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]
Death: 18 Sep 1885, Burial: McKain Cemetery, Pavilion, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Online database, Ancestry Library (in library only)
Maps
Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., 1853
Surveyed & Published by Henry Hart, New York, 1853
Lithography: Sarony & Major, New York
Local History Room
Map of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., 1858
C.F. Miller, New York : McKenzie & Simmons, 1858
Local History Room
Map of Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, 1861
Published by Geil & Harley, et al, Philadelphia, 1861
Library of Congress
Kalamazoo, Michigan, bird’s-eye-view lithograph, 1867-1868
Charles Shober & Co.
Publisher: Chicago Lithographing Co., Chicago, Illinois
Courtesy, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Atlas of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1873. From recent and actual surveys and records
Published by F. W. Beers & Co., New York, 1873
Local History Room
Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1874
A. Ruger, J.J. Stoner, Charles Shober & Co., 1874
Publisher: J. J. Stoner, Madison, Wis.,
Chicago Lithographing Co.
Library of Congress / Local History Room
Bird’s eye view of Kalamazoo, Mich., 1883
Henry Wellge, A.F. Poole, J.J. Stoner, Beck & Pauli, 1883
Publisher: J.J. Stoner, Madison, Wis.
Library of Congress / Local History Room
Sanborn fire insurance map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1887
Sanborn Map Company, Jul 1887
Library of Congress
Illustrated atlas, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1890
Published by WM. C. Sauer, C.E., 1890
Local History Room
Sanborn fire insurance map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1891
Sanborn Map Company, Oct 1891
Library of Congress
Sanborn fire insurance map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1896
Sanborn Map Company, Sep 1896
Library of Congress
Sanborn fire insurance map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1902
Sanborn Map Company, Apr 1902
Library of Congress
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1908
Sanborn Map Company, 1908
Library of Congress
Illustrated atlas, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1910
Published by Geo. A. Ogle & Co., 1910
Local History Room
Videos
The Michigan beer film
Kalamazoo, MI : Rhino Media, [2014]
H DVD 338.47663 M6242 (CEN)
Websites
Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week
An annual weeklong series of events that support the local craft beverage experience through special tastings, dinners, and interactive events.
West Michigan Beer Tours
Celebrating and promoting the world class breweries through unique public and private tours.
Commercial Breweries currently operating in Kalamazoo:
Bell’s Brewery A regional craft brewery that employs over 100 people over an 18 state area.
Brite Eyes Brewing Co. Established in 2013 at 1156 South Burdick.
Brewery Outré Opened April 2022 at 567 E Ransom St.
Latitude 42 Brewing Company Established in 2013 at 7842 Portage Road.
One Well Brewing Established in 2014 at 4213 Portage St.
Presidential Brewing Co. Established in 2018 at 8302 Portage Road.
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Kalamazoo location opened in 2023 at 200 E. Michigan.
Texas Corners Brewing Co. Opened in 2015 at 6970 Texas Drive.
Wax Wings Brewing Co. Established in 2018 at 3480 Gull Road.
Local History Room Files
Michigan File: Michigan – Breweries
Subject File: Breweries
Subject File: Bell’s Brewery Inc.
Subject File: Buildings – Kalamazoo – Lake, 706
Subject File: Kraftbrau Brewery