Station: Elmira, MI

Elmira was settled about 1877 when the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad came through on their way to Mackinaw City. The station was called Eaton, and then Windsor. It was renamed Elmira in 1877. [MPN]

Elmira was located in western Otsego County, about 10 miles west of Gaylord. In addition to the GR&I (later PRR) railroad, the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena crossed the GR&I about 1 mile north of town on an overhead crossing.

Photo Info: Top, the Grand Rapids & Indiana depot at Elmira. 2nd photo, another view of the depot from the opposite direction. Note the horse dray team waiting nearby. [CMUL]. 3rd photo, the "Polish Express", pulled by Great Lakes Central 319, proceeds southbound through Elmira in 2007. [Mark Andersen]

Notes

Time Line

1905. Two men were killed and six fatally injured in an accident on the new Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena railroad near Elmira today. A piece of track caved in under a heavy engine and eight of the Polish laborers working nearby were crushed under it as it rolled down the embankment. The engineer and fireman escaped unhurt. The railroad camp is a long distance away from any telegraph connection, so it is impossible to obtain the names of the victims. [DFP-1905-1022]