Kalamazoo and Suburban Express Company Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection is composed of a sign from the Kalamazoo and Suburban Express Company. The sign simply says “Kalamazoo and Suburban Express Co.” in black on both sides. This sign likely dates to the latter portion of the 19th century. The sign was created approximately between 1880-1900.
Dates
- Creation: Actual date of sign is unclear but the estimated date is between the years 1880-1900.
Creator
- Kalamazoo and Suburban Express Company (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
The Kalamazoo and Suburban Express Co. appears to have been a delivery service in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Information about this specific company is scarce, however express companies and individual expressmen were very common in the late 19th century. According to the Kalamazoo directories the expressmen typically rested along one street, at one point Rose street. The Kalamazoo Gazette references the Kalamazoo Suburban Express Co. in only one article; this was about a case involving an expressman who was parked where the ordinance said he could not park. All of the expressmen were using the case to fight the ordinance forcing them to station themselves on Rose street when some expressmen were allowed to station themselves somewhere else. The Kalamazoo Suburban Express Company's role is unclear.
Extent
1 Sheets ; 9" x 10"
Language of Materials
English
Physical Description
The collection amounts to one folder. Contained in this folder is one sign. The collection occupies approximately 0.05 cubic feet. The sign is 9” x 10”.
The condition of the sign is fair. The paint has faded and one side of the sign has broken off. The sign is made up of pressed cardboard.
General
The collection was acquired through the Starring Endowment.
- Title
- Kalamazoo and Suburban Express Company Collection Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Dylan Tilbury
- Date
- 2014-09-15
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu