Central Business District in Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Kalamazoo Case: Establishing High School for All
Michigan Legal Milestone
In i873, several prominent Kalamazoo citizens filed a lawsuit raising a legal and constitutional challenge to the high school, arguing that tax dollars could only be used to fund primary schools.
On February 9, 1874, Circuit Court Judge Charles R. Brown ruled against the challenge, stating, "The provision that the legislature shall establish a system of primary schools cannot be reasonably construed as forbidding the establishment of other schools."
After an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Thomas M. Cooley penned a unanimous opinion on July 21, 1874, upholding Judge Brown's ruling, concluding that neither the legislature nor the state constitution restricted the scope of public education.
By 1890, there were 278 high schools in Michigan. The Kalamazoo Case changed the landscape of public education in Michigan and served as a landmark for educational reform across the United States.
Erected 2016 by State Bar of Michigan and the Kalamazoo County Bar Association. (Marker Number 40.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Legal Milestones series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 9, 1874.
Location. 42° 17.49′ N, 85° 35.1′ W. Marker is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is at the intersection of West Michigan Avenue (Business Highway 94) and South Rose Street, on the right when traveling east on West Michigan Avenue. The marker is in front of the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 227 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kalamazoo Disabled Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church (about 300 feet away); Spanish War Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away); In Memoriam U.S.S Maine (about 400 feet away); Molly Barker (about 400 feet away); Orcutt Post G.A.R. No. 79 (about 400 feet away); 35th Anniversary (about 400 feet away); Kalamazoo Korean War Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalamazoo.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.