Perry was settled about 1850 and known for a time as Perry Center. The Grand Trunk Western main line came through here in 1876. The town itself moved ¾ mile north from its original location to be closer to the railroad. Perry became a village in 1893.
Image Info: Top, the GTW depot at Perry. [Charlie Whipp collection]. 2nd photo, another view of the depot with a crowd assembled. As noted in this photo, this station had a short-lived train control box which sticks out from the depot near the train order signal. This box was backlighted and had room for 8 digits, used by the operator to indicate the time of departure for a previous train. It was meant for the train crew, not waiting passengers. Boxes like this were used on a number of Michigan railroads for a short period of time. [Mark Worrall collection]. 3rd photo, GTW 5903 passes the Perry depot in the 1970's. [Doug Leffler]
There is a Michigan Historical Marker at the former site of Perry. Isaac Gale, developer of Morrice and a vice president of the railroad, had a siding and depot built in Morrice but wouldn't do so at Perry Centre whose residents then purchased and installed a siding and depot over one weekend. [From Tim Parker, historian]
1918. The Grand Trunk had an agent here during the day, as well as a day operator. [TRT]
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
