Cooper Township near Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
DeLano Homestead
Photographed By Duane Hall, September 17, 2013
1. DeLano Homestead Marker
Inscription.
DeLano Homestead. . William Smith DeLano (1819-1901) was a southwestern Michigan pioneer settler. He built this modest Greek Revival style house in 1858. A native of western New York State, DeLano came to the area with an uncle in 1837. He first worked clearing farms for neighbors. In 1843, at the age of twenty-three, he purchased forty acres and began the family farmstead. By 1854 DeLano owned over one hundred acres; by 1880 he had 235 acres. Over the years, DeLano's sons continued to purchase neighboring lands. The family eventually acquired over six hundred acres. Members of the family lived on the farm until 1963. For several years afterwards, the house was neglected. In 1968 the Kalamazoo Nature Center acquired the structure and most of the original DeLano farm. The farmhouse was restored and opened to the public in 1975.
William Smith DeLano (1819-1901) was a southwestern Michigan pioneer settler. He built this modest Greek Revival style house in 1858. A native of western New York State, DeLano came to the area with an uncle in 1837. He first worked clearing farms for neighbors. In 1843, at the age of twenty-three, he purchased forty acres and began the family farmstead. By 1854 DeLano owned over one hundred acres; by 1880 he had 235 acres. Over the years, DeLano's sons continued to purchase neighboring lands. The family eventually acquired over six hundred acres. Members of the family lived on the farm until 1963. For several years afterwards, the house was neglected. In 1968 the Kalamazoo Nature Center acquired the structure and most of the original DeLano farm. The farmhouse was restored and opened to the public in 1975.
Erected 1982 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L432.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 42° 21.715′ N, 85° 35.857′ W. Marker is near Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in Cooper Township.
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Marker is on W. E Avenue, 0.3 miles west of N. Westnedge Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker and farmhouse can be reached by a short trail from the nearby Kalamazoo Nature Center parking lot; the driveway to the parking lot is on the south side of the road 0.1 miles west of the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 555 W E Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
A then and now photo exhibit near the marker that shows the farmhouse prior to its rehabilitation in 1975
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 919 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 26, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
