First Post Office Building

1892-1939

A building like few others in Kalamazoo’s history, the city’s first post office building was situated on the corner of S. Burdick Street and W. South Street. It’s protruding turret leaned conspiculously into the frame of many photographs that captured commercial life along S. Burdick during its time. Looking for the post office building always helps to orient the viewer of photographs and postcards of Burdick Street. Built a year before the first library building, it too embodied elements of Romanesque Revival architecture, the in vogue style of government buildings in the late 19th century.

Before its conception, post office services were located in various downtown buildings. In the years leading up to the new building’s construction, it was listed at 122 S. Burdick, inside of a book store. As Kalamazoo’s population accelerated in size, it was necessary to erect a modern building with the spatial capacity to accommodate the increase in mail traffic. By 1889, $80,000 had been appropriated for the new building, but there were still questions about where the new office would go. In July of 1889, the Gazette posed the question, “Where will the P.O. go?” The answer would not come from Kalamazoo’s federal representatives, Senator Stockbridge and Congressman Burrows, both of whom declined to use their influence in determining a location. These two were also instrumental in getting congressional approval to appropriate the funding.

“It is quite evident, however, that the business men of Kalamazoo are not asleep as to their interests. They seem to be of the opinion that where the post office is located, there will be the business center of the city, and surrounding it will be a great growth immediately. Business blocks will spring up and the finest part of the trade will be secured for that locality.”

Kalamazoo Gazette, 19 July 1889

One of the potential sellers of land was Henry Breese, who said he would sell his lot for $15,000. Breese was the Vice President of Kalamazoo Savings Bank, and whose property he was willing to part with, rested on the corner of S. Burdick Street and W. South Street.

Clearly, the location was of concern to those who saw the new building as a potential draw for commercial activity. Over the coming days, bids were submitted by downtown lot owners, a predictable who’s who of Kalamazoo’s wealthy business class, including Emil Desenberg, Homer Manvel, Robert R. Howard, Charles W. Long, T.P. Sheldon, Tilly Israel, William M. Morley, D. Burrell & Son and George Burrell. Ultimately, it would be Breese and his lot that would win out in the end.

Under Postmaster James Monroe, construction on the building began in the winter of 1889-1890. The contractors were H.W. Coddington, Benjamin Roe, and Bush and Paterson. The two-story brick building’s main entrance was situated along S. Burdick, while a secondary opening was available on W. South Street. When the building opened its doors to the public on 14 February 1892, it possessed 900 lock boxes and drawers, square marble floor from Vermont, and a staircase connecting the first and second floor made of Italianate granite.

The interior of the building also provided office space for the United States Pension Board, U.S. District Judge Henry F. Severens, and the 20-plus staff who along with James Monroe, helped to administer the daily movement of mail. There were approximately ten mail carriers on staff. During its time as the mail hub of the city, postal service changes included the development of parcel post, rural delivery, airmail, and the dismantling of train services. By the 1930s, plans were underway to retire the 19th century building, which ended services in April of 1939. A year later, the building was demolished.

Written by Ryan Gage, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, September 2025