Western Michigan University/KRPH in Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Western Michigan University

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

1. Western Michigan University Marker

Inscription. Established by legislative act in 1903 as Western State Normal School, the first classes were held in 1904. The first permanent building, completed in 1905, overlooked the city from Prospect Hill. By the 1920's Western had become one of America’s leading teachers’ colleges. Starting in 1934 general degree work was offered. An expansion program on the west campus began in 1944. Increasing enrollment and the addition of new departments and courses during the 1940's and 1950's made Western a multi-purpose institution and led to its designation as a university by an act of the legislature in 1957.

Erected 1958 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 117.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 42° 17.07′ N, 85° 36.706′ W. Marker is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in Western Michigan University/KRPH. It can be reached from no nearby street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is along the pedestrian walkway,

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about 350 feet west of Ring Road North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Peter the Great 2.07¼ (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Helen Stewart Frays marker (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kalamazoo State Hospital (approx. 0.6 miles away); Henderson Park West Main Hill Historic District (approx. 0.7 miles away); Edward Israel Arctic Pioneer (approx. 0.7 miles away); Stuart Neighborhood (approx. one mile away); The Stuart House (approx. one mile away); French-Allen House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalamazoo.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

2. Western Michigan University Marker

Marker as seen from the Bernhard Center.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

3. Western Michigan University Marker

Marker seen looking north.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026

4. Western Michigan University Marker

Berhard Center used to be to the left of this photo. It was closed in 2023 and torn down in 2024. West Michigan Avenue, shown in the other photo, was closed in 2025 to make way for the pedestrian walkway shown in this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.