University Libraries

University Libraries
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5353 USA
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WMU Campus History Map update released

Posted by Sara Volmering on
October 31, 2024
Cover image from the Western Michigan University Campus History map featuring photo of trolley that operated on east campus from 1908 to 1949.

We are excited to share a revised and extended Western Michigan University Campus History Map with our community. This map showcases the history and growth of our campus from its beginnings in 1903 to the recently opened Student Center in 2023.

The update also shows how Western’s landscape has changed since the map was initially released in 2020. Our campus continues to evolve with new construction, renovations and demolitions, and the map now documents these changes for future generations.  

We also extended the map to include the former Hillside Apartments, Goldsworth Valley Apartments and Knollwood Elementary School.

The project includes a mix of contemporary views and historical photos of existing buildings, drawing upon the extensive WMU Archives collection and expert knowledge of archivists and librarians.