Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Kalamazoo School Case

1. Kalamazoo School Case Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Near here, in 1858, Kalamazoo's first high school was opened. Fifteen years later the right of the school board to levy taxes to support a high school was challenged. A unanimous decision of the Michigan Supreme Court, rendered by Justice Thomas M. Cooley in 1874, affirmed an opinion of Kalamazoo Circuit Judge Charles R. Brown that upheld this right. As a result the way opened for free high schools in Michigan and also in other states.

Erected 1959 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S153.)

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 1858.

Location. 42° 17.05′ N, 85° 35.401′ W. Marker is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. Marker is at the intersection of South Westnedge Avenue (State Highway 331) and West Vine Street, on the right when traveling south on South Westnedge Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kalamazoo MI 49001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kalamazoo College (about 700 feet away, measured in

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a direct line); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); First Women's Club in Michigan (approx. 0.4 miles away); South Street Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kirk Newman Sculpture (approx. 0.4 miles away); Epaphroditus Ransom (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lincoln at Kalamazoo (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kalamazoo Bicentennial Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalamazoo.

Regarding Kalamazoo School Case. Judge Charles R. Brown was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives in 1866 and served one term of two years. He was elected Circuit Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit [Counties of Allegan, Kalamazoo and Van Buren] in 1870 and served until 1874.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . The Kalamazoo School Case: Supporting High School Education. Kalamazoo Public Library (Submitted on June 25, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

2. Kalamazoo School Case Marker

View to south along S. Westnedge Avenue (M-331 South)

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

3. Kalamazoo School Case Marker

At northwest corner of intersection of
S. Westnedge Ave (M-331 South) and W. Vine St

Central High School,<br>now used as a community center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

4. Central High School,
now used as a community center

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2011, by Brett D. Brown of Lake Worth, Florida. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1. submitted on June 23, 2011, by Brett D. Brown of Lake Worth, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.