A Brief History of Stuart Neighborhood

In 1854, United States Senator Charles Stuart bought some 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 the 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. The trolley made Senator Stuart’s urban area more accessible to middle-class families who began to build spacious, comfortable homes in what is now known as the Stuart Neighborhood.

The neighborhood borders downtown Kalamazoo which boasts the nation’s first pedestrian mall, a Civic Theatre, Art Institute, hospital, nationally acclaimed Public Library, Museum, and civic and commercial centers. Like downtown, Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University are within easy walking distance. The major east-west bus and road routes provide easy access to the rest of the 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.

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. The Association encourages 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. Most physical changes to the exterior must be reviewed and approved by the Historic District Commission, which is appointed by the 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 also. A nurse, salesperson, or doctor, taking advantage of the easy commute 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. The Association, a nonprofit volunteer organization, was founded in 1973 by residents seeking to preserve the area’s quality of residential life, both physically and socially. Aided by a part-time paid Director, the Association publishes a monthly newsletter, represents the interests of the neighborhood before the city and other governmental agencies, organizes social, educational, and beautification activities, maintains a web site, and serves as a clearinghouse for information. The Director 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, the Association 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 office.

If you are new to the Stuart Neighborhood or are interested in the possibilities of becoming a homeowner or resident, the Association can help answer your questions about living in one of Kalamazoo’s finest historic neighborhoods.