Skip to main content

Thomas Maas Collection

 Collection
Identifier: A-4165

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 0.50 cubic feet and is composed of four records from the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad from 1913-1916.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1913-1916

Biographical / Historical

In April 1869, the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad began constructing a 40-mile of track connecting Kalamazoo and South Haven. In 1870 the company was leased to the Michigan Central Railroad and operated from 1871-1916. The main reason for the creation of this rail line was the desire of Kalamazoo businesspersons to have access to a Lake Michigan port and by the latter part of the 19th century; there was no town similar in size to Kalamazoo that was handling as much freight. In 1916 for unknown reasons, the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad company merged back with the Central Michigan Railroad.

Extent

0.50 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Physical Description

This collection is composed of four records from Kalamazoo and South Haven from 1913-1916. The records are in good condition there is minimal signs of deterioration. The writing in the records are in ink and are legible (however, there is not much writing within the records.) The only signs of damage seen is on the spines of the records, they are beginning to show signs of peeling/flaking.

The dimensions of the records are 9”x11.5” and 9.5”x12” and all are hardcover. The titles of all the records are the same: “Annual Report of Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad Co. to the Interstate Commerce Commission for the Year Ended June 30, 19__”. Not much is written within the records and this could contribute to the fact that the railroad was slowly merging with a larger company in its later years.

Title
Thomas Maas Collection Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Ian Daly
Date
1913-1916
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

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490