City Directories

City Directories hold a fantastic wealth of information for everyone from the amateur genealogist to the expert researcher. They are usually broken down into three categories allowing a search by the person’s or businesses name, street address or by business type.

History & Genealogy

The Heritage Room contains the following directories:

Kalamazoo City Directory which covers only the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1867 and 1868
1869
1876

1881
1891
1897

1876
1950
1952

1950
1953
1955 through 1963
1965

Beginning with 1966 two separate directories were issued, one, the City Directory, covering the City of Kalamazoo and the other, the Suburban Directory, covering the outlying communities located within Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

1966 through 1976 (two volumes each)

In 1977 the City and Suburban directories were combined back into one large volume.

1977 through the present (missing 1988 and 1991)

Along with the City Directories, the Heritage Room also contains the following:

Criss Cross Directories 1966 through 1972
Bresser’s Cross Index Directory 1972 through the present
(missing 1975, 1978, 1982, 1983, and 1985 through 1988)

Kalamazoo Telephone Books

1968-Kalamazoo Area
1981-Portage
1982-Portage
1983-Portage
1984-Kalamazoo

1986 and 1987-Kalamazoo
1989 and 1990-Kalamazoo
1992-Kalamazo
2000-Kalamazoo
2005-Kalamazoo

All of the directories listed here are available during normal library hours and are located on shelves along the east wall of the room with the exceptions of the City Directories for 1867, 1868, 1869, 1876, 1881, 1891, and 1897. Due to their fragile nature, these directories are in secure storage and are available through an appointment only. If you wish to make an appointment with the archivist please call (269) 585-8741