Postcards of Parchment, Michigan
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Kalamazoo River near Parchment, MI-page-
The abundant supply of fresh water attracted the paper industry to Kalamazoo County, which once boasted the largest number of paper mills in the nation. Lovely views of the Kalamazoo River can still be enjoyed in Parchment today.Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Co
The Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company was founded in 1909 and by the 1920s was a thriving paper mill.Old KVP Smokestack-page-0
This smokestack was a well-known landmark for many years. Painted with a special reflective coating and illuminated with spotlights, at night it was visible for miles. It was demolished in 1952.KVP Main Office -page-0
Constructed in 1928, the Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Administration Building is said to be the first air-conditioned office building in the United States. It is located on Island Avenue just west of Riverview Drive.Machine Room, Mill 2, KVP-page-0
Circa 1930. The reverse of the postcard reads, "Each of the giant machines has a capacity of one mile of paper 13 feet wide, every 6 minutes. They operate 6 days a week, 24 hours a day. Kalamazoo is known as 'The Paper City' as it produces more paper than any similar area in the world."A KVP Printing Press
One of the many KVP printing presses. This one prints four colors at one time. The paper goes through the press from a roll, ends up in sheets. (1930s)Show More Postcards