American House (later Park-American, Harris Hotel), East Main Street
Scope and Contents
The collection composed of material relating to the publication Kalamazoo Lost and Found written by Lynn Houghton and Pamela O’Connor, and published by the Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission in 2001. The collection contains research on individual sites included in the book and material that relates to the production and publication of the book designed to be a fundraiser for the Commission, a city-advisory board for the City of Kalamazoo.
The majority of material in this collection is composed of both typed and handwritten research notes, letters, reports, photocopies and other material used for this book project. In addition, there are some copies of promotional materials and advertisements, calendars, postcards and posters as well as photographic prints and negatives.
Dates
- Creation: 1994-2006
Creator
- From the Collection: Houghton, Lynn Smith (Author, Person)
- From the Collection: O'Connor, Pamela Hall (Author, Person)
- From the Collection: Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission (Publisher, Organization)
- From the Collection: Lacko, John A. (Photographer, Person)
Biographical / Historical
From the book Kalamazoo Lost & Found: "First known as the American Hours, the fourth hotel to open in the village of Kalamazoo in 1844 on East Main Street (the 300 Block, North Side). The brick building was built between 1867 and 1869 and opened in 1870. By 1885, a fourth floor, a brick addition and dinning room were added to the building. It became the the first hotel in teh City to be lit by electricity in 1891 and had its own electric plant.
"Kalamazoo businessman and developer Charles Hays purchased the hotel in 1910 and renamed it the Park-American. He tore down the 1860s-era building in 1914 and constructed a compatible addition.
"Harry L. Harris & Associates purchased the hotel in 1947, renaming it the Harris Hotel. The hotel closed in 1968. It came down and the site remained vacant until 1974, until a Wendy's Restaurant opened.
Extent
From the Collection: 4.0 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu