| In 1854,
United States Senator
Charles Stuart bought land from Frederick Woodward
and began building his impressive Italianate Villa at
427 Stuart Avenue. By 1864, only three homes were in this
neighborhood; this "suburb" was too far away
from downtown for all but wealthy merchants who could
afford the luxury of driving or riding to work in their
own buggies. The first horse-drawn trolley cars began
their rounds in the 1880's and they made Senator Stuart's
area more accessible to middle-class families who began
to build spacious, comfortable homes in what is now known
as the Stuart Neighborhood. See the MAP.
Senator Charles Stuart
The neighborhood borders downtown Kalamazoo that boasts
a civic theatre, art institute, hospital, library, museum,
many unique coffee houses, art galleries, breweries,
restaurants and nightspots. The downtown area serves
as the civic and cultural center of the area. Kalamazoo
College and Western Michigan University are within walking
distance. Many churches and parks are located nearby.
The major east-west bus and roads provide easy access
to the rest of the greater Kalamazoo metropolitan area.
Within the neighborhood historic Woodward Elementary
School (Grades K-6) with its restored 4-sided clock
tower and its large playground provides pleasant open
space for use by the residents.
The Stuart neighborhood includes a remarkable collection
of Italianate Revival and Queen Anne residences. Many
are little changed from when they were built in the
1870's and 1880's, a time generally known as the Victorian
Era.
The variety of well-preserved homes has been frequently
open to the public because of the many homeowners willing
to open their homes for the Historic Homes Tour. People
can stroll through and catch a glimpse of past achievements
in fine architecture and restored interiors.
Until the 1970's, houses were gradually being converted
to multi-family use. Since then, the involvement of
residents, mainly through the Stuart Area Restoration
Association, is helping to restore the original character
of the neighborhood and is encouraging the preservation
of these unique homes. The area was declared a local
historic district in 1976 and was added to the National
Register of Historic Places in 1983. The local historic
district designation is the one that affects the exteriors
of the homes. All changes must be reviewed and approved
by the Historic Preservation Coordinator or the Historic
District Commission, which is appointed by the Kalamazoo
City Commission.
Unique to Stuart is its diversity of houses and a diversity
of uses, from single family to multiple dwellings, many
of which are owner occupied. As in any typical neighborhood,
there is a welcome variety of residents. A nurse, salesperson
or doctor, taking advantage of the easy commutes downtown
might share a block with students and professors wanting
to live near the colleges. There are senior citizens
who have lived here most of their lives; they provide
a human link with the history and architectural past
which is so visible. New residents find themselves welcomed
by neighbors who have a strong feeling of neighborhood
pride and unity.
The Stuart Neighborhood is not just a geographic area;
it is also the people who have organized themselves
into the Stuart Area Restoration Association (SARA).
Residents seeking to preserve the area's quality of
residential life, both physically and socially, founded
SARA, a non-profit volunteer organization, in 1973.
Aided by a part-time paid director, SARA publishes a
monthly newsletter, represents the interests of the
neighborhood before the city and other governmental
agencies, organizes social, educational, and beautification
activities and serves as a clearing house for information.
The SARA administrator can help tenants and landlords
if a problem arises, find a helper for a senior citizen,
locate a house to buy or rent, or find a lawn-mowing
job for an enterprising youngster.
In 1995, through grants from local foundations, SARA
was able to purchase and rehabilitate a house at 530
Douglas Avenue to have a permanent location and presence
in the neighborhood. The upstairs is a two-bedroom rental,
and the downstairs is a handicap accessible neighborhood
center and SARA office.
If you are new to the Stuart Neighborhood or are interested
in the possibilities of becoming a homeowner or a resident,
SARA can help answer your questions about living in
one of Kalamazoo's finest historic neighborhoods. |
