The Asylum Lake terrtiories consist of Asylum Lake, Lee Baker Farm and Colony Farm Orchard. This page describes general history of the properties. A timeline of events leading up to the industrial park is available, as well.

ASYLUM LAKE
The Asylum Lake parcel is located in the southwest
corner of the City of Kalamazoo, with its western
segment in Oshtemo Charter Township, in south-
western Michigan.  Parkview Avenue divides the site,
running east to west.  Drake Road marks the
boundary between Oshtemo Township and the
City of Kalamazoo as it transects the property in a
north-south direction.  US-131 borders the site to
the west, and Stadium Drive to the east. It consists
of 274 acres of prairie, forest and lake and comprises
the most important section of the Asylum Lake
territories that citizen groups have strived to preserve.

(1830-1903) first black settlers in Kalamazoo
County; passed to their son Charles in 1860

Charles Rickard (1903-1866)

Daniel & Jane McMartin (1866-1887) created the lake as "McMartin Lake"

Kalamazoo State Hospital, Michigan Asylum for the Insane (1887-1976) asylum colony formed, name of lake changed to "Asylum Lake"

Western Michigan University (1973-present) For a timeline of events related to the industrial park since WMU was given the land in 1973, click here!

Michigan State University studies at the site (1963-1988) control for pesticide and pheromone testing NOTE: no pesticides or pheromones were sprayed at Asylum Lake as part of this study

The identity of the Asylum Lake parcel was complicated when WMU posted signs on the north side of Parkview Avenue incorrectly identifying the property as part of the Lee Baker Farm.  However, this parcel is currently managed as a passive-use recreation area by WMU in agreement with the City of Kalamazoo.

LEE BAKER FARM
The Lee Baker Farm is located south of
Parkview Avenue.  It consists of 257 acres including a
farmhouse built by John Gibbs, a carpenter from New
York, transferred to WMU in 1959.

Lee Baker was WMU professor of agricultural science.

Western Michigan University has already built several
buildings in its "business technology and research"
industrial park on the Lee Baker Farm, which never
had any deed restrictions on it.

WMU's Environmental Institute has taken "research
residence" in the Lee Baker farmhouse. For details,


COLONY FARM ORCHARD
The Colony Farm Orchard is located west of Drake
Road, with 54 acres north of Parkview Avenue and
8 acres south of Parkview Avenue.  US-131 borders
the Colony Farm Orchard to the west.
Asylum Lake History
Asylum Lake
History
Kalamazoo County, MI
The Asylum Lake terrtiories consist of Asylum Lake, Lee Baker Farm and Colony Farm Orchard. This page describes general history of the properties. A timeline of events leading up to the industrial park is available, as well.

ASYLUM LAKE
The Asylum Lake parcel is located in the southwest
corner of the City of Kalamazoo, with its western
segment in Oshtemo Charter Township, in south-
western Michigan.  Parkview Avenue divides the site,
running east to west.  Drake Road marks the
boundary between Oshtemo Township and the
City of Kalamazoo as it transects the property in a
north-south direction.  US-131 borders the site to
the west, and Stadium Drive to the east. It consists
of 274 acres of prairie, forest and lake and comprises
the most important section of the Asylum Lake
territories that citizen groups have strived to preserve.

(1830-1903) first black settlers in Kalamazoo
County; passed to their son Charles in 1860

Charles Rickard (1903-1866)

Daniel & Jane McMartin (1866-1887) created the lake as "McMartin Lake"

Kalamazoo State Hospital, Michigan Asylum for the Insane (1887-1976) asylum colony formed, name of lake changed to "Asylum Lake"

Western Michigan University (1973-present) For a timeline of events related to the industrial park since WMU was given the land in 1973, click here!

Michigan State University studies at the site (1963-1988) control for pesticide and pheromone testing NOTE: no pesticides or pheromones were sprayed at Asylum Lake as part of this study

The identity of the Asylum Lake parcel was complicated when WMU posted signs on the north side of Parkview Avenue incorrectly identifying the property as part of the Lee Baker Farm.  However, this parcel is currently managed as a passive-use recreation area by WMU in agreement with the City of Kalamazoo.

LEE BAKER FARM
The Lee Baker Farm is located south of
Parkview Avenue.  It consists of 257 acres including a
farmhouse built by John Gibbs, a carpenter from New
York, transferred to WMU in 1959.

Lee Baker was WMU professor of agricultural science.

Western Michigan University has already built several
buildings in its "business technology and research"
industrial park on the Lee Baker Farm, which never
had any deed restrictions on it.

WMU's Environmental Institute has taken "research
residence" in the Lee Baker farmhouse. For details,


COLONY FARM ORCHARD
The Colony Farm Orchard is located west of Drake
Road, with 54 acres north of Parkview Avenue and
8 acres south of Parkview Avenue.  US-131 borders
the Colony Farm Orchard to the west.