Railroad: Central line (State of Michigan)

Built → Central line (State of Michigan) → Michigan Central Railroad

Built: 1838

Operated for 8 years by State of Michigan.

Became: Michigan Central in 1846

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

In 1838, the Central line, owned by the State of Michigan, began construction west from downtown Detroit and made it as far as Ypsilanti by the end of the year. This line never prospered and was eventually sold to the newly formed Michigan Central railroad, made up mostly of Boston investors.

The purpose of this line was to open communications with rural areas west of Detroit, transporting passengers and freight from the port of Detroit.

Photo Info: A notice of commencing operations on the Central Railroad in the Detroit Free Press, October 17, 1839. [DFP-1839-1017]

Time Line

1836. July. The Stockholders of the Detroit and St. Joseph Rail Road Company adopted the following resolution: That owing to the difficulties attending the location of the route of the Detroit and St. Joseph Rail Road east of Dearbornville, arising from the exorbitant amount at which the damages of individuals through whose lands the route passes, are assessed, the Board of Directors be instructed to make application to the legislature of this State, for permission to occupy a part of the present line of the Chicago Road, and that they be further instructed to examine the charter of the Company - and report to the next meeting of the stockholders, such amendments thereof as in their judgment are required. [DFP-1836-0727]

1838. Line is built west from Detroit.

1838. July. The acting commissioner of the Central railroad seeks proposals to construct a railroad track from the depot in Detroit, down Woodward Avenue to Atwater street, and from thence along Atwater street, 1,000 feet in each way. [DFP-1838-0718]

1838. November. The acting commissioner of the railroad publishes rules for the track to Atwater, once it is completed. Individuals can place cars on the line for transportation of merchandise, argicultural products and other property, provided that the cars must be built in strict conformity with the principles and plans upon which the state cars shall be built, and approved by the superintendent of motive power. Transportation of persons is not permitted, except by the railroad itself. [DFP-1838-1121]

1838. SNAPSHOT. October. Amos T. Hall, the Collector of Tolls in Detroit for the Central Railroad, reports the following people and freight have been transported on the line between Detroit and Ypsilanti over a two-week period: Westbound, 1,278 passengers, 537,394 lbs of merchandise, 3 barrels of flour, 1,888 feet of lumber, and 92 "M" shingles. Westbound tolls were $2,817, of which $1,722 were from passengers. Eastbound during the same period, 890 passengers were transported along with 252,695 lbs. of merchandise, 1,469 barrels of flour, 7,706 feet of lumber and 221 cords of wood. East bound tols were $2,037, which included $1,271 from passengers. There were 91 passengers a day westbound and 64 eastbound. [DFP-1838-1006]

1839. October. The completion of the Central Railroad to Ann Arbor was celebreated with greart demonstrations of rejoicing by our citizens. Not less than 800 citizens took pasage in the cars at the depot in this city (Detroit). See Article.

1846. State sells railroad to the Michigan Central, a new corporation funded by Boston capitalists.