Lovell Street School
Established 1867
First Lovell Street School, 1865-1883
The original Lovell Street School, a two-story wooden building, opened in 1867 at the corner of East Lovell Street and what was then Pine Street. It was called the “New Union”, as opposed to the “Old Union” high school on what is now South Westnedge. The first building burned in late 1883 and was replaced by a handsome brick one on the same site the following year. It continued to be used as a school until 1926, after which it housed the Kalamazoo Public Schools administration building until 1960. The building was then sold to Bronson Methodist Hospital, which promptly demolished it. Pine Street was vacated, so the school site is now occupied by hospital buildings.
Kalamazoo Public Schools Administration Building, 1940. Formerly the second Lovell Street School. KPL Photo P-954.
Sources
Manuscripts
Chronology of Lovell Street School
Compiled by Eric Alstrom, May 1986
Copy available in History Room Subject File: Kalamazoo Public Schools – Lovell Street School
Articles
“Lovell Street school burned”
Kalamazoo Gazette (daily), 1 January 1884, p.3.
“Kazoo’s public school system 92 years old”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 18 October 1925
Copy available in History Room Subject File: Kalamazoo Public Schools Scrapbook #4, p.2.
“Latest educational methods give unequalled opportunity”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 18 October 1925
Copy available in History Room Subject File: Kalamazoo Public Schools Scrapbook #4, p.4.
“Landmark in its day”
Kalamazoo Gazette, 17 August 1960, p.19.
Files
History Room Subject File: Kalamazoo Public Schools – Lovell Street School
Maps
Illustrated Atlas, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. 1890.
Published by WM. C. Sauer, C. E., 1890
History Room map case, left shelf #1.