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In 1981 a group of researchers from the Department
of Geography - Thomas W. Hodler, Richard Brewer, Lawrence G. Brewer
and Henry A Raup - compiled a map illustrating the predominant types
of vegetation covering Kalamazoo County in the years
1825 to 1830, a period just prior to settlement of the area. The work
was funded by the Lucia Harrison Endowment Fund. |
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The Presettlement Vegetation Map
is based principally on the U.S. Public Land Surveys conducted in Kalamazoo
County from 1826 through 1830. Surveyed townships included Alamo, Brady,
Charleston, Climax, Comstock, Cooper, Kalamazoo, Oshtemo, Pavilion,
Portage, Prairie Ronde, Richland, Ross, Schoolcraft, Texas, and Wakeshma. |
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In 1981, the University's 'outlying' properties
on the western edge of Kalamazoo County were known collectively as "the
University Farm". This included the Lee Baker Farm, (deeded
over by the State Legislature in 1959), the Colony Farm and the Asylum
Lake property (conveyed by the State Department of Mental Health in
1977 and 1975, respectively). In 2000 the Lee Baker Farm was renamed
the Parkview Campus, the new home to the College of Engineering and
the WMU Business, Technology and Research Park. |
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The Presettlement Vegetation Map identifies fifteen distinct vegetation types. These are Prairie, Bur Oak Opening, Oak Savanna, Oak Forest, Beech-Sugar Maple Forest, Southern Floodplain Forest, Southern Swamp Forest, Tamarack Swamp, Pine Swamp, Black Ash Swamp, Northern Mixed Swamp Forest, Wet Prairie, Marsh, Shrub-Carr, and Undifferentiated Wetland. It is interesting to note that, since 1830, Asylum Lake and other similar, relatively small lakes have at various times been categorized as swamp or marshlands, examples of the changes nature makes over time. |
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In 1981 the Western Michigan University
campus was principally comprised of the areas known as East Campus and
West Campus. Other University properties included the University Farm
(see above) and the Kleinstuck Preserve, given to the University in
1922. |
