Before & After Photos
Old images are wonderful glimpses into our past, but it is often difficult for one to associate these lost places with the present. Utilizing the historic images from the Portage District Library’s Heritage Room collection along with current images of the same location, we have created this Before and After section to give you, the viewer, a fascinating opportunity to link the past and present together. Please check back often as this area will be updated on a monthly basis. We hope you enjoy.
Keefer’s Drugs
You are looking northwest towards the intersection of Vine Street (background) and South Westnedge Avenue (foreground). Keefer’s Rexall Drugs stands at 802 South Westnedge, on the southwest corner, while Kalamazoo Central High School dominates the northwest corner.
The appearance of this corner has changed little since this image was taken in 1951 however; Kalamazoo Central High School has relocated to a new structure on the outskirts of the community leaving this building to be occupied by: Continuing Education for Young Families, Kalamazoo Adult Education, Kalamazoo Community Education and the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony. The building that once housed Keefer’s Rexall Drugs now houses a non-profit organization called Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing. It should also be pointed out that South Westnedge at this location has changed from a two-way street to a one-way street.
Kroger
1961, August. You are looking southwest towards the Kroger Grocery Store located within the Southland Shopping Center. The shopping center, in turn, is located on the southwest corner of South Westnedge Avenue and West Milham Avenue in the Township/City of Portage. This shopping center will go through two major remodelings from when this August, 1961 image was taken including changing to an all enclosed shopping mall and later changing back to a open shopping center.
This is the current location for the Barnes and Noble located within the Southland Shopping Center.
Snows Pharmacy
You are looking northeast towards the intersection of South Westnedge (left to right) and Maple Street on the north side of Westnedge Hill. Snow’s Pharmacy, 1841 South Westnedge, dominates the northeast corner of Maple and Westnedge while to the left are Ted’s IGA Supermarket (1837 South Westnedge), Dan’s Restaurant (1835 South Westnedge) and Beekman’s Flower Shop (1831 South Westnedge).
Today most of these buildings remain. However, the tenants have long since changed. Snow’s Pharmacy is now occupied by J & R Coins while Teds IGA Supermarket is now home to the Okinawan Karate Academy. The building once home to Dan’s Restaurant has been demolished and the site of Beekman’s Flower Shop is vacant. Traffic along this section of South Westnedge has also changed and is now only one-way towards the south.
Westnedge Hill Motel
Here you are standing on the sidewalk on the west side of South Westnedge looking towards the southwest. Just below you is the recently opened Westnedge Hill Motel located at 1906 South Westnedge which has been built into the north side of Westnedge Hill.
This motel has undergone a few changes since this November 1957 image was taken with the most dramatic being the addition of an office on the left side of the driveway, the addition of a chain link fence between the motel property and the sidewalk and the change in the name from the Westnedge Hill Motel to the Kalamazoo Inn. The motel has also become quite run-down and “faded” from its heyday in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
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