Railroad: East Saginaw & St. Clair railroad

The railroad was built to bring logging cars into East Saginaw from the thumb area. It was apparently only built from the F&PM main line (south of Hoyt) to the Saginaw River. It was likely owned and operated by the F&PM during its existence. The original goal of the railroad was to reach Port Huron.

Built → East Saginaw & St. Clair → Flint & Pere Marquette

Built: A short railroad from the Saginaw River in East Saginaw in 1872

Operated for 17 years.

Consolidated: With the Flint & Pere Marquette in 1889. Became part of the F&PM Belt Line in Saginaw.

Reference: [NYT-1888-1110]. 

Notes

This railroad was a defendant in litigation with the Toledo, Saginaw & Mackinaw when the latter line was built north from Durand. In particular, several railroad crossings were anticipated in the South Bay City area along the Saginaw River. The TS&M prevailed in most of its claims. [NYT-1888-1110]

Time Line

1873. June. Workmen engaged in grading the East Saginaw & St. Clair railroad near Saginaw, dug into an Indian burying ground recently. About five hundred skulls were exhumed. [DFP-1873-0607]

1873. April 26. A party of surveyors and choppers left Saginaw for Vassar on the 21st, for the purpose of locating and clearing the way for the route of the East Saginaw & St. Clair railroad from Vassar to Port Huron and St. Clair. [AA-1873-0826]

1885. May. The ES&SC stockholders met along with the F&PM stockholders meeting. The group elected a nine person board, which had members similar to the F&PM. [SAG-1885-0520]