Galesburg is a “hidden gem” in Michigan
During the summer, many gather outside Galesburg’s Venue at 68 building for a weekly car show. A turquoise Chevrolet Bel Air, red Pontiac Fieros and 1970s Dodge Challengers are just some of the cars shown over the years. The vintage car show is one of the few traditions in this city located several miles east of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The community also has several mom and pop staples, including a butcher shop and a store that bills itself as the state’s largest rock shop. “We’ve lived here our entire lives. It’s a great place to grow up and a good community,” says Wrifton Graham, the owner of the Rockhound Rock Shop. “It’s kind of one of those hidden gem type of places, where you don’t want to tell too many people about it because it would change too much.”
The city has ranch-style, Colonial Revival and Traditional homes
Mature trees hedge many homes in Galesburg. Some homeowners decorate their yards with planters, ornaments and flowers like hydrangea and black-eyed Susans. Many also live near small parks with baseball fields and playground equipment. Ranch-style homes are common in the city. Other houses include modern traditional, Colonial Revival, bi-level, Craftsman bungalow and the Gable and Wing homes. Homes mostly cost between $200,000 and $500,000. However, a few homes with footprints around 4,000 square feet go over that range.
Local staples serve coffee, Tex-Mex and whiskey tastings
Stores include the Galesburg Meat Company, which carries local beef and over a dozen flavors of jerky. The neighboring Rockhound Rock Shop draws collectors looking for gems, fossils and meteorites. Its affiliated restaurant, the Prospector’s Cook House, serves comfort foods and desserts. Coffee Klutch makes classic American breakfasts and more desserts. Valentina’s Mexican Grill Galesburg offers a local spot for Tex-Mex. During the warmer months, the Gull Lake Distilling Company invites patrons to its patio to enjoy whiskeys, cocktails and live music. Bell’s Brewery also hosts tours of its local facility. Harding’s Market is the community grocer, but neighboring Comstock has more options like Meijer.
River Oaks Park offers multiple amenities
The amenities at the 330-acre River Oaks Park include a playground, splash pad, a dog park and over a dozen fields for youth soccer games. Along with the grass trails in the surrounding woods, the park provides access to the 24-mile-long Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. The paved path gives bikers a scenic route toward Kalamazoo. River Oaks is also located along the 920-acre Morrow Lake, a destination for boaters and anglers. The Hickory Ridge Golf Course & Driving Range has a 27-hole playing ground and areas for members to work on their swings. Echo Valley draws many to its sledding and tubing hills during winter. The winter destination neighbors Robert Morris Park and its disc golf course. These parks border another fishing destination, Campbell Lake.
The Rockhound festivals offer gemstone panning and live music
During the spring and fall, thousands come to the Rockhound Rock Shop for its Rockhound festivals. The events’ interactive activities include gemstone panning at its 30-foot wooden sluice. The festivals also feature live acoustic music and blacksmith demonstrations. The weekly car shows, called the Galesburg Tuesday Night Cruise, usually run from May to October. “It’s kind of a meet and greet for people to come hang out and enjoy each other’s company. It’s typically older folks and gearheads,” says Megan Simmonds, office manager at Hettinger’s Backyard & Power Store. “It’s fun to see all the cars. It just adds a little bit of character to an otherwise small town.”
Galesburg students may get early associate’s degrees from KVCC
The Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools district serves the community and receives a C-plus grade from Niche. The Galesburg-Augusta Primary School gets a B-plus from Niche, while the Galesburg-Augusta Middle School earns a C-plus. Students may then finish at Galesburg-Augusta High School, which receives a C-plus. High school students may access Early/Middle College, a dual-enrollment program that allows them to earn an early two-year degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Commuters take Michigan Avenue to Kalamazoo
Commuters take Michigan Avenue — or the M-96 — to go to Kalamazoo, located 10 miles west. Interstate 94 passes through the community and goes west toward Lake Michigan. Kalamazoo’s Bronson Methodist Hospital provides medical care for the area. Travelers going on flights out of the state may go to the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport. The region is also prone to severe storms and major lake-effect snowfalls.
