HISTORY – built in 1869 - Architect: Unknown

• Built in 1869 – you can see the original cornice detail on the outside of the building.

• Originally built as an opera house for traveling shows and for local events. This space was also used for community events like other local halls. The top floor of the Coney Island Building was also a rental hall.

• The Opera House hosted many events. People entered on a staircase in the same position as the modern one you used.

• The Opera House extended the entire length of the second and third floor.

• The third floor, which you will be touring had a balcony at the far end.

• The stage was at the staircase end of the hall.

• The first floor was occupied by businesses in 7-8 storefronts.

• In 1899, the first floor housed William Conklin’s restaurant, Kalamazoo Drug Company operated by Dr. C.P. Sayles, Frank Bidelman’s furniture store, Adams Express Company, Madison Fairchild’s second hand furniture and Albert Anderson’s meat market.

• Contractors like plumbers Radike & Company often worked from basement rooms.

• The new Academy of Music on South Rose (about where the Comerica building is today) was built in 1882 and began to many events to their theater designed by Dankmar Adler.

• In 1902 Arthur L Pratt bought the building. He listed himself in the city directory as a “capitalist” and was also president and general manager of the King Paper company. Pratt lived at several fashionable addressed in the 1890s and first decade of the 20th century including two different homes on West South street, Stuart Avenue and the new streetcar development at Allen Boulevard.

  • Pratt turned the second and third floors into offices and rented them out to businesses and doctors, dentists and real estate agents.

  • One of his early tenants was Kalamazoo’s super-developer, Charles Hays. Over the decades to come many doctors, architects, salesmen, insurance agents and at least two correspondence schools would use the offices.

  • The first floor continued to house storefronts like the Chicago Candy Kitchen, Charles Gray furniture, drug stores, cigar stores, tailor shops and a succession of saloons. The saloons disappeared in 1915 when Kalamazoo went dry.

• Jim Gilmore purchased the building in 1958, the same year he was elected mayor. He ran Gilmore Enterprises from this building, including automobile dealerships, broadcasting radio and TV stations and car racing. The tower outside still bears his lower case “g” logo.

• • In 1971, he updated the façade to its current appearance, installing his trademark hammered stainless steel all over the building. Look for it as you move through the building.

  • Jim Gilmore sponsored Championship race cars from 1967-1990, most notably for A. J. Foyt. In 1973, Gilmore began his relationship with A.J. Foyt. This pairing lasted until Gilmore retired from sponsorship in 1990.

• As you go up the stairs take a minute to look at the large racing photo on the landing – this is the 1975 Indianapolis 500, where Gilmore driver A.J. Foyt had the fastest qualifying lap in car 14.
• On the second floor, take a look at the large 1880 photo of Michigan Avenue looking west from the second floor of the Peninsula building. This building is just out of view on the left! The photo says 1860, but some of the buildings were built in 1878 and it is before the streetcar tracks were laid in 1882.