Bronson Park Historic District Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Bronson Park Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Bronson Park
Location	Roughly bounded by S. Rose, S. Park, W. Lovell, and W. Michigan Aves., Kalamazoo, Michigan
Area	16.6 acres (6.7 ha)
Architect	Multiple
Architectural style	Art Deco, Mixed (more Than 2 Styles From Different Periods)
MPS	Kalamazoo MRA
NRHP reference No.	83000855
Added to NRHP	May 27, 1983

The Bronson Park Historic District is a special area in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It includes Bronson Park, a beautiful green space, and many important buildings around it. These buildings are mostly government offices, churches, and other community places. The district is located near South Rose, South Park, West Lovell, and West Michigan Avenues. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its importance.

The Story of Bronson Park
What You See Today
Gallery
See also

The Story of Bronson Park

How the Park Began

In 1831, Titus Bronson, who founded Kalamazoo, planned out the area where Bronson Park is today. He gave the land for the park to the city. At first, the park was split into two parts by Church Street. One half was meant for a "jail square," and the other for an "academy square."

Right next to these, other areas were set aside. There was a "church square" and a "courthouse square." For a while, these areas were used just as planned. Churches were built, Kalamazoo became the main city for the county, and the first jail was put on jail square. A part of the University of Michigan even opened on academy square.

Changes Over Time

However, after about 20 years, things changed. The jail and the academy moved to new spots. Church Street, which divided the park, was closed. This joined the two park halves into one big area. For many years, what we now call Bronson Park was just an open field where cows grazed.

In 1876, the land finally got its name: "Bronson Park." The area was then nicely landscaped, and a fountain was placed in the middle. As Kalamazoo grew, the park and the nearby courthouse and church areas stayed at the heart of the city's public life.

Important Buildings in the District

The first courthouse was built in 1837 on courthouse square. Later courthouses were built there in 1885 and between 1935 and 1937. Many churches were also built in the district. These include the First Methodist church (from 1833), the First Congregational (1835), First Baptist (1836), St. Luke's Episcopal (1837), First Presbyterian (1849), First Reformed (1850), and the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Other important buildings in the district include the Ladies Library Association Building, built in 1878. There's also the YWCA Building, the Kalamazoo City Hall from 1931, and the Federal Building from 1938.

What You See Today

The Bronson Park Historic District includes Bronson Park itself, which is the city's main public square. It also has seventeen buildings around the park. These buildings are some of Kalamazoo's oldest and most important. They show different styles of architecture and are used for government, community, and religious purposes.

Here are some of the buildings you can find in the district: