Walking Through Time
Brendan Henehan, 1981
Read Walking Through Time
The Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission’s second publication was the result of a three-year citywide inventory and survey of historic buildings.
The book’s design was very similar to ones found in other cities: small enough to hold in one’s hands while walking around the areas covered. Ninety-five buildings were chosen from a potential list of five hundred. The majority are grouped according to location within six historic districts, and individually-designated buildings are covered in a separate chapter. Brief historical information is provided for each entry, including dates of construction, architectural styles and distinctive features.
A federal matching grant and support from a local foundation and eighteen businesses provided the funding needed. Kalamazoo College graduate Brendan Henehan conducted research and wrote the text, local photographer Gary Ciadella took the images and Kalamazoo artist Jean Stevens provided pen and ink drawings. This little paperback originally sold for the reasonable price of $4.95 making it accessible to lots of interested people.
Notes
Properties that have been demolished or substantially altered since the original publication.
page 34:
At 431 Academy Street, the Hoyt House demolition occurred in 1986.
pages 38-39:
The Ladies Library Association completed a respectful rear addition, including adding an elevator, to its building in 2013.
pages 40-41:
In 2007, the First Presbyterian Church @ 321 W. South Street received a major renovation, including construction of a new multi-story atrium between the sanctuary and the church house – where the 1967 chapel had been located.
page 49:
The congregation of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 247 W. Lovell Street built a west-facing addition to the rear of the church building in 2005.
page 55:
The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research rehabilitated the Boudeman House at 515 W. South Street in 1990 for its operations.
page 56:
The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research also rehabilitated the Carder-VanDeusen House at 527 W. South Street in 2021 for its operations.
page 92:
Fire Station #5 at 619 Douglas Avenue received a major rehabilitation by the City of Kalamazoo in 2016. It is now used as a community center.
page 107:
Depot Landmark LLC rehabilitated the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Station and its freight house at 402 E. Michigan Avenue in 2005. It became home the Arcus Foundation, which was founded by Jon Stryker, and is now home to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
page 112:
In 1994, the Lawrence and Chapin Ironworks building at 201 N. Rose Street, (now 225 N. Rose Street) received a rehabilitation, and the building is now part of the “Arcadia Creek/Arcadia Commons.”
page 113:
In 1990, a demolition crew took down the Baumann-Shakespeare Block at 202 N. Rose Street as part of the Arcadia Creek/Arcadia Commons project. Kalamazoo Valley Community College downtown campus is now on that site.
page 114:
The Masonic Temple at 309 N. Rose Street received a major rehabilitation in 1986, turning it into office, retail and event space. Converted as part of a hotel project in 2020, a skywalk which spans North Rose Street to a parking ramp on the street’s east side radically altered the Temple’s formerly dignified primary façade.
page 116:
Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries owns Firehouse #4 at 526 N. Burdick, and uses it to support the non-profit’s many programs.
page 121:
A demolition crew took down the Cobb House at 526 S. Burdick in 1983.
page 150-151:
The Nazareth College Building, also known as the “Motherhouse” and two other buildings on the Sisters of St. Joseph’s former school campus on Gull Road were all demolished in 2020.
page 153:
In 2014, Western Michigan University demolished two-thirds of East Hall, along with three other East Campus buildings. The University renovated and rebuilt the middle section of East Hall, opening it in 2016 and renaming it Heritage Hall.
page 159:
Demolition in 2005 left the vast majority of the Bryant Paper Mill/Allied Paper Company property at 2030 Portage Street vacant — except for the Illinois Envelope Building at its west end. Kalamazoo County government rehabilitated Illinois Envelope for its Health Department in 2018.