Railroad: Garden Bay railroad

The Garden Bay railroad purchased a line from Cooks to Garden from the Vans Harbor Land & Lumber Company in 1915. They operated it until 1917 when it was abandoned. This was initially a logging railroad. [MRL]

Vans Harbor Land & Lumber Co. → Garden Bay railroad → Abandoned

Built: Prior to 1915.

Operated for 3 years.

Abandoned: 1917.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

Time Line

1914, From this time forth the Garden Bay Railroad Company is to be operated by a new company and under a new management. Negotiations have been under way for several months for the purchase of the fifteen mile stretch of track from the Vans Harbor Land and Lumber Company only yesterday was the deal finally would up.

The election of officers of the new company shows the following personal: H. P. Bourke, Escanaba, president; J. C. Wood, Manistique, vice president; A. F. Begole, Garden, secretary-treasurer; Charles F. Ewald manager.

The new company will operate a thoroughly modern and new train from Van's Harbor and Garden to Cooks Mills twice each day. The train will meet the Soo Line trains No. 8 and 87 each day and give the residents of Garden and the vicinity two mails each day.

The new company will have control of the docks at Garden and will control all shipping from that point. The track of the new line is in excellent condition and new and modern ideas will be adopted from time to time over the new route. The residents of Garden and vicinity may now rest assured of a well operated railroad for many years to come. Mr. Bourke goes to the company with years of experience with the Soo Line; Mr. Ewald and Mr. Begole are residents of the district through which the road passes and have had wide experiences in the business. Mr. Wood is excellently qualified to fill the position which he holds and in fact every officer of the company should make exceptional officers for the Garden Bay railroad company. [EMP-1914-1202]

Editor Note: So much for positivity - the line was abandoned three years later.

1917. The entire line is abandoned. [MRL]

1918. The Garden Railway was relinquished by the U.S. government to their owners. The Line was considered as unnecessary by the federal department in charge of the railways of the nation during the World War. [EMP-1918-0720]