WMU Trolley By: Lisa Butterfield

In the beginning… Western Michigan University was started on Prospect Hill, overlooking the city of Kalamazoo. A set of steep, wooden stairs brought students to the top of Prospect Hill where classes were held. One day, Dwight Waldo, Western’s first president, realized that this way of reaching campus was much too tiring for students and faculty. He decided in 1907 that some form of transport should be assembled. WMU trolley…

The Trolley On Prospect Hill In June of 1908 that form of transport became the WMU trolley. A motor at the top of the hill, pulled the trolley up from the bottom. Rides were free, however, many freshman were tricked into buying trolley tickets from upper classman! Each car held up to 16 students. Next…

…in the end. The trolley’s first conductor was a man by the name of William Champion. His job as conductor was brief. He was followed by Alfred Colvin who became the conductor for four whole decades! In 1949 the trolley was shut down, later to be torn out, due to low funding and few repairs. Questions

Let’s Review: 1.In what year was the WMU trolley put to use? a b c d Whose idea was it to start a transport system on Prospect Hill? a. Alfred Colvin b. Dwight Waldo c. William Champion d. WMU students 3.For what reason was the trolley stopped in 1949? a. lack of repairs b. lack of passengers c. lack of funding d. both a and c

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BIO PAGE Lisa Butterfield Junior at WMU majoring in Elementary Education (early ed emphasis) Home town: “GR” Loves to: play guitar, knit, listen to music, hang with family and friends * All information and pictures from: Brown and Golden Memories by Larry B. Massie, published in Kalamazoo, MI, 2003.