IT ALL STARTED WITH A MANDOLIN In the late 1800s, Orville Gibson arrived in Kalamazoo and began designing his own range of mandolins. Over time, his company grew and became known as one of the world’s premier musical instrument manufacturers. Some of the finest guitars were built at 225 Parsons Street from 1917 to 1984. CARRYING ON THE TRADITION Several former employees wanted to continue the tradition of handcrafting beautiful, high quality electric guitars in Kalamazoo. During the spring of 1985, they purchased space at the iconic factory along with its original guitar-making equipment. And with that, Heritage Guitars was born.