Station: Traverse City, MI - GR&I Facilities

The Grand Rapids & Indiana was the first railroad to arrive in Traverse City in 1872.

The GR&I passenger station was built on the edge of West Bay at the north end of Park Street, just west of the mouth of the Boardman River. It was used until 1949, when the railway discontinued all passenger service north of Cadillac. The station, a freight warehouse and tracks soon were removed from the waterfront in preparation for the building of Grandview Parkway. [TCRE-2019-1215]

Photo Info: Top, this is the route of the GR&I main line through the shore of Traverse City about 1880. This is just northwest of Kerry Tower, and the railroad goes along the shore to its depot and beyond to the Leelanau Peninsula. [Traverse City Historical Society]. 2nd image, the GR&I depot in a postcard view near the turn of the century. [Alan Loftis collection]. 3rd image, a winter scene at the front of the depot. [CMUL]. 4th image, a view of a railroad car ferry, reported to be at Traverse City in 1907. 

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Time Line