Homes from Picturesque Kalamazoo

Published in 1890 and 1909

Picturesque Kalamazoo, originally published by James P. Craig in 1890, is one our favorite books in the Local History collection. The book is a visual snapshot of the city’s grand residences, sprawling industrial buildings and vital civic institutions at a time when Kalamazoo had emerged from its previous status as a prosperous village to that of a thriving city. The book was later updated with new content and republished in 1909. Many of the stately homes of wealthy industrialists and prominent men and women of the ‘Gay Nineties’ have been torn down, but several of the featured residences in both editions survive today. Be sure to click on the above link and read a digital copy of this important historical document.

The Rufus Tyler House, 1030 W. Main

Obscured by large trees today, this hidden-away Italianate-style house was built in 1872 by Rufus Tyler, an owner of a lumber planning mill. Tyler sold the home to realtor H. Brooks Miller in 1884. Miller’s family remained in the home until 1925.

William E. Hill House, 916 W. Kalamazoo Avenue

A sprawling, brick mansion owned by Hon. William E. Hill, this ostentatious home of the former mayor and businessman was once the site of glitzy parties and social gatherings of Kalamazoo’s elite families. It’s largess reflects the era’s fascination with the expression of wealth and excess.

Edgar A. Crane House, 2125 Crane

Situated atop Westnedge Hill, just south of Crane Park, this home was built in 1895. Crane was a lawyer by trade. Crane later donated much of his land north of his home to the city after he died, which was converted into the park that bears his name.

The Perley L. Abbey House, 109 Allen Blvd.

Exhibiting all of the typical architectural features of an early 20th century Four-Square-style home, the P.L. Abbey house is situated on the narrow boulevard just west of St. Augustine Cathedral. The P.L. Abbey Co. was a pharmaceutical manufacturer of drugs for digestive ailments.

William L. Brownell House, 610 S. Westnedge

A late-era Queen Anne built in 1906, this home is situated across the street from the Walnut Flats Building in the Vine Neighborhood. Brownell was president of the Puritan Corset Company, but by the time Picturesque Kalamazoo was revised in 1909, he had begun an advertising firm with his son Arthur.

Eugene A. Welch House, 718 Clinton

The caption under the photograph for this home reads: “This is said to be the prettiest house on the south side”. The Edison Neighborhood was an up and coming suburb by 1909, with a mixture of both white and blue collar homeowners. Welch made much of his money in the grocery industry, and then later as a travel agent. A longtime Elks Lodge member, Welch died in 1935.

Johnathan Parsons House, 630 W. South

Featured in the 1890 edition, the John Parsons House is part of the stately homes that make up the South Street Historical District. Parsons came to Kalamazoo in 1844 from his native Massachusetts. He and William A. Wood operated a hardware store at the corner of Burdick and Main Street, and later engaged in real estate and banking. A Republican Party member, Parsons also served three terms as a state legislator. The built date for this Italianate Revival-style house is believed to be 1859. While the house is named for Parsons, there were two previous owners, William Wolcott, a Congregational clergyman, and John M. Gregory, a president of Kalamazoo College. Parsons daughter remained in the home until 1920.

Written by Ryan Gage, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, July 2024