Corunna was home to several coal mines which were served by the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee railroad (later GTW).
Image Info: The map shows the location of the coal mine branch, which leaves the DGH&IM heading northeast across the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern (later AA). The line reaches a stone quarry in Section 22, a coal mine in the northwest corner of Section 23 and another coal mine in Section 13.
1862. December. The same seam of coal that is found at Jackson outcrops at Corunna, 75 miles from Detroit, on the D&M railroad, has been successfully mined for some time. The mine is situated a mile above the village on the north bank of the Shiawassee River on land owned by Chauncy Hurlbut of Detroit and Alex McArthur of Corunna. The existence of coal in this vicinity was known to the Indians, and was then communicated to the first white inhabitants. Coal where the mine is now situated was discovered in 1839. The following year it was used in a steam saw-mill.
Since the opening of the railroad, the quantity mined has been largely increased and now 6-8 miners are employed all the time. All of the coal thus far taken out has been "uncovered" - the earth removed from over it, and the coal shoveled directly into carts. The scam in some places comes to within three feet of the surface, while in other places borings have reached it only at the depth of 20 feet and under sandstone, where it is of better quality.
The Corunna coal is high bituminous, quite free from Sulphur and it unsurpassed for the purpose of generating steam. The coal is used in the machine shops of the D&M railroad, and large quantities sell at the yard of the company in Detroit for heating purposes. A large quantity was lately ordered for the gas works at Grand Rapids. [DFP-1862-1219]
1871. October. The celebration of the discovery and opening up of the Corunna coal mines was a grand success. The day ws inaugurated by raising from the mine a large chuck of coal, weighing 2,600 pounds. This was placed on a wagon and brought to Main street where thousands visited it and rejoiced over the discovery so rich. About noon, a dispatch was received announcing that a special train had left Detroit with officers of the Great Western and D&M railroad, and that it would be at Corunna about 3 o'clock.
Preparations were at once made to receive them and take them to the mine. On arriving at the mine, Mr. Gilbert prepared one of the coal crs and gave them a ride down the slope into the mine 225 feet, where they had a view (with the assistance of a lamp) of a rich coal deposit. To say they were surprised and more than gratified, does not express their satisfaction. A track should be laid to the mine from the D&M road as soon as the road-bed could be prepared. [NATD-1871-1012]
1873. February. The branch from the D&M railroad station at Corunna to the coal mines has been finished and the iron has been laid up to the coal bank. This will enable the coal company to ship 100 tons a day. [PHTH-173-0227]
1884. Corunna people are greatly agitated by a report that the Grand Trunk railroad company will no longer use the Corunna coal. Operations in the mines will be suspended. [WEX-1884-0925]
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
