This Day in History Kalamazoo s Only TV Station Launched 1049theedge.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 1049theedge.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
America s First Outdoor Shopping Mall Was in Michigan wkmi.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wkmi.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Kalamazoo Mall was the very first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall in the United States, making its debut on August 19, 1959. It was intended as being just a walk-through, with no traffic, no thru street, and no parking spots. Just a long stretch of buildings where people could walk from shop to shop.
Pedestrians could shop, sit for awhile and talk, maybe have a bite to eat, read, or relax. But mostly shop.
There was a playground for kids while mom shopped, a couple of fountains, a bridge over one of the fountains, and checkerboard sidewalks.
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