News | Contact | Meeting Notices | Water Advisories Select Language English Spanish HOME I WANT TO... RESIDENTS DEPARTMENTS NEWS ABOUT About the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan The City of Kalamazoo was founded in 1831, when Titus Bronson (1778-1853) recorded the original plat for the Village of Bronson at the County Register of Deeds Office. Shortly thereafter, Governor Lewis Cass selected the village as the site of the county seat, which spurred the rapid development of the community. Bronson, an eccentric and argumentative man, often found himself at odds with his fellow settlers. After a series of incidents, including being fined for stealing a cherry tree from another settler, his enemies successfully changed the name of the town to Kalamazoo in 1836. Today Kalamazoo hosts the Kalamazoo Promise, three higher learning institutions, two nationally recognized healthcare systems, diverse and affordable housing, award winning water and water reclamation systems, and many parks, lakes, and golf courses. A wide variety of industries and businesses call Kalamazoo home, including major players in the pharmaceutical, medical science, and craft beer industries. The City also offers an assortment of cultural attractions that you might only expect to find in larger metropolitan areas including music, visual art, dance, and theatre. Kalamazoo is located in southwestern Michigan approximately 136 miles west of Detroit, 73 miles southwest of Lansing, and 145 miles east of Chicago. The City, also the county seat, is easily accessible from both I-94 and U.S. 131, which cross the State from east to west and north to south, respectively. The true meaning of the name Kalamazoo remains uncertain. The most widely accepted explanation comes from a Potawatomi legend. Fleet Foot, in order to win his bride, had to run from the settlement down the river and back again before a pot of water could boil away. The translations "boiling pot," "boiling water," and "where the water boils" originate from this legend. Others have said the name translates to "mirage," "reflecting river," or even "smothered." Additional information about Kalamazoo's history is available from the Kalamazoo Public Library here. Demographics & Data Census Reporter Data on the City of Kalamazoo Census Reporter Data on Kalamazoo County U.S. Census Quick Facts City Manager's Office cokcitymanager@kalamazoocity.org 241 West South Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007 By appointment only 3-1-1 or (269) 337-8000 (269) 337-8182 Jim Ritsema, ICMA-CM, City Manager Jeff Chamberlain, AICP, Deputy City Manager Laura Lam, Deputy City Manager City of Kalamazoo Community Local Government Contact Copyright © 2021 City of Kalamazoo