Station: Vanderbilt, MI

Vanderbilt was settled about 1875. The Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad built through here about 1880 and established a station. The town incorporated as a village in Otsego County in 1901. [MPN]

Vanderbilt was located on the Michigan Central's Mackinaw Branch about eight miles north of Gaylord. The MC had a branch which left the main line here.

Photo Info: Top, a winter view of the MC depot at Vanderbilt with a group photograph. Note the man who has climbed the ladder to the train order signal. The ladder was used to refill the kerosene in the oil lamp. [CMUL]. 2nd photo, another depot at Vanderbilt with a steam locomotive waiting on the main track. This was likely a newer dept than the first photo. The station semaphore to the right of the passing track and yard indicates stop for passage of north and southbound trains. [Alan Loftis collection]. 3rd image, D&M engine 469 leads a freight train on the former MC Mackinaw Branch near Vanderbilt, in 1977. [Neil Plagens photo, Mark Andersen collection]

Notes

Time Line

1917. The MC had a agent/operator here during the day shift. [TRT]

Industry

• Higgins Industries. In 1933, Higgins Industries establishes a manufacturing plant on the north side of town. It becomes H&H Tube, with rail service from the Michigan Central railroad.
• Yuill Brothers Lumber Company. Saw mill.