Railroad: Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad Company

Though begun independently, this became one of the first and longest Michigan Central branch lines when it was taken over by the MC in 1871. By 1903, almost all directors were MC appointees. The road, 295 miles in length, also had branchlines to Twin Lakes (Lewiston) and Gladwin.

Various → Jackson Lansing & Saginaw railroad → Michigan Central railroad

Chartered: 1864.

From: Lansing & Jackson Railroad (1865), Amboy, Lansing & Traverse Bay from Lansing north (1866)

Completed from Jackson to Mackinaw City under MC lease in 1881.

Operated: 7 years (technically 52 years under lease)

Leased to Michigan Central Railroad - 1871, merged in 1916.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

This was one of the longest railroad builds in Michigan history, eventually reaching the Straits of Mackinaw from Jackson. Much of this railroad was built utilizing land grants from the federal and state governments.

At the left is a stock certificate for 50 shares issued to F. O. Waldo, one hundred dollars per share on April 6th, 1909. (The JL&S was leased to the Michigan Central at this time.)

The original JL&S depot was east of their main line at Wesley street. The railroad also had a small roundhouse north of Trail, east of the river near the depot facilities. The Grand River railway also used the JL&S depot until Union Station was built in 1873.

It is likely that the J&LS considered joining with the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railway to form a road from the Indiana state line north to at least Saginaw. Early Sanborn maps of Jackson show the J&LS rising east up the hill (at Pearl Street) and then running parallel along the MC east to Johnson Street, which was the location of the original FJ&S depot. At the time, the Sanborn map shows no connection with the MC at what later would be called Pearl Street tower. In 1873, passenger operations were moved to the Union Station. In 1879, the FJ&S was reorganized and "Saginaw" was dropped from the name. The FW&J was acquired by the LS&MS in 1882.

Time Line

1865. Line opened north from Jackson towards Lansing.

1865. The J&LS continues to condemn land for their railroad right-of-way, in this case a 50 foot wide section in the "Prison reservation" near Jackson, for the purpose of constructing a railroad. [DFP-1865-0714]

1865. About 200 men are wanted by the J&LS to lay iron between Jackson and Lansing at $1.75 to $2 per day. The company appeals to all residents to secure the necessary help as the company finds great difficulty securing men to help. About 3 miles of track is laid out of Jackson. About 700 tons of iron is now in Jackson waiting to be laid down. [LSJ-1865-0920]

1865. Some cars of the JL&S have arrived. They are marked "J.L.&S.R.R.". The construction trains now run down nearly four miles (from Lansing). The Depot of this Company will be located near Mechanic Street (in Jackson). [LSJ-1865-0927]

1866. Line opened north of Lansing towards Owosso.

1868. It will gratify the people of every town along the JL&S road, to know that a connection has at last been made at Jackson with the Michigan Southern. Freight will now go through from Wenona to Toledo without breaking bulk, and passengers for the South will be taken to the Southern depot in the cars. Good news for everybody but the hackmen and cartmen of Jackson. [LSJ-1868-0604] Editors note: This may have been a at-grade crossing or underpass of the MC. If so, it likely existed only for a short time. This may have also described the FW&J connection which crossed the MC east of this location. Needs more research.

1868. Freight and passenger traffic on the J&LS road will reach $400,000 for 1868. This will be 20% of cost, of earnings upon the entire cost of the road and will leave a handsome dividend after paying current expenses. Freight trains over the road vary from 20 to 30 cars each, loaded with lumber, wheat, salt, and other products. No road built in Michigan ever does such an immense business within two years after its completion. [LSJ-1868-1022]

1868. Officials from the JL&S, including H.H. Smith, begin to agitate to Hillsdale and Jonesville leaders about extending their line south from Jackson to Fort Wayne. This project was soon implemented by the Fort Wayne Jackson & Saginaw railroad which had some overlapping directors with the JL&S. [LSJ-1868-1105]

1871. JL&S leased to the Michigan Central railroad. It was formally merged in 1916.

1873. Opened from Jackson to Gaylord.

1881. Line opened from Gaylord to Mackinaw City.