Kalamazoo's History By lkmapes0711 Mar 12, 1831 The Village of Bronson was Founded Apr 22, 1833 Establishment of Kalamazoo College Jan 23, 1837 FIrst Kalamazoo Gazette was Published Jan 26, 1837 Michigan Became a State Aug 27, 1856 Lincoln's Speech in Bronson Park Aug 29, 1859 Kalamazoo Psychatric Hospital Opened Dec 8, 1889 Borgess Hospital Opened Dec 18, 1921 Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra's First Concert Feb 26, 1957 Western Michigan College of Education became Western Michigan University Aug 19, 1959 First Ever Pedstrian Mall Built in Kalamazoo May 13, 1980 Tornado Devastates Kalamazoo