DeLano Homestead

William Smith DeLano (1819-1901) was a southwestern Michigan pioneer settler. He built this modest Greek Revival-style house in 1858. A native of western New York State, DeLano came to the area with an uncle in 1837. He first worked clearing farms for neighbors. In 1843, at the age of twenty-three, he purchased 40 acres and began the family farmstead. By 1854 DeLano owned over 100; by 1880 he had 235 acres. Over the years, DeLano’s sons continued to purchase neighboring lands. The family eventually acquired over 600. Members of the family lived on the farm until 1963. For several years afterwards, the house was neglected. In 1968 the Kalamazoo Nature Center acquired the structure and most of the original DeLano farm. The farmhouse was restored and opened to the public in 1975.