Moving Depot

In researching the past, sometimes you come across information that you think can not possibly be correct. Memories can fade over time, so I am always somewhat skeptical and like to get contemporary references when I can. Once in awhile, I come across stories that seemingly just do not fit with what we know of the past.

One such story was of a train depot on the Southside. Over the years, while researching other things, I had come across brief references to a depot behind the Chair Co. off Perry Street. Frankly, I never believed them. First, we all knew where the depots were: one on Union Street and one on Washington Street. Second, the railroad didn’t even cross the river until 1887.

However, my conclusions were proven to be totally false when I purchased a copy of an amazing old photograph that actually shows the train depot being moved over the trestle. I was very excited but had many questions. Whenever I need advice on anything railroad related, I turn to my cousin Mark Hershoren for assistance. Mark, who makes trains his hobby, is very familiar with the trains that once served the Grand Ledge area. Together we have pieced together this history.

It is important to note that railroads changed names and ownership very frequently.

The Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan RR, The Ionia and Lansing RR, The Detroit, Lansing and Northern RR, and The Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit RR all served the area and eventually all became the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western RR. This railroad itself would be merged with several others in 1900 to form the Pere Marquette RR.

In 1887 the trestle or High Bridge was completed. Also that same year the new passenger depot, designed by Ionia architect Claire Allen, was built on the Southside. If we look at maps today, there is still a triangular parcel of land own by the railroad between Gulf Street and Perry Street that once housed the building. There were disadvantages to having the depot in this location. It was out of the way and far from downtown and the popular Resort. Also it could only service trains on the new line that crossed the river, but not the original 1869 line on the Northside.

Both of these issues were solved in 1890 when the building was moved. Using two DL & N flat cars and pulled by locomotive #3 over the trestle, the passenger depot was placed at its new home on Washington Street. In its new location it was only a few blocks from Bridge Street and could handle trains from all the tracks that came into the village.