Station: Jonesville, MI

Jonesville was settled in 1828 on the military road between Detroit and Chicago. This settlement occurred about six years before Hillsdale was settled. The village was incorporated in 1855. [MPN]

Jonesville received its first rail service when they convinced the State of Michigan to divert the Southern line from Hillsdale northwest 4 miles to town. The road then continued back west, southwest through Allen and to Coldwater.

The Old Road depot was a significant brick building just north of US-12 west of Jermaine street. It continues to exist as a bed and breakfast (in 2020).

Two other roads came to town, including the LSMS Lansing branch, which began at Litchfield Junction on the west side of Jonesville (west of the depot) going north to Albion and Lansing, and the Fort Wayne and Jackson line, which had a depot in town just north of the Chicago road on the east side of their track, and a freight depot across from the passenger station (see insurance map below). The FW&J also had a water tower and coal shed here. The line crossed the Old Road at an interlocking just south of downtown (known as Fort Wayne Junction).

Photo Info: Top, the former Fort Wayne & Jackson depot at Jonesville, most recently used as an antiques shop. This depot was built for the Fort Wayne and Jackson line around 1870 which was leased by the LS&MS. [Charlie Whipp]. 2nd photo, a photograph of the Old Road second depot at Jonesville. [Alan Loftis Collection] 3rd and 4th photos, the Old Road LSMS/NYC depot at Jonesville in 2003. [Alan Loftis]; 5th photo, a map of the Jonesville depot just north of Chicago Street, in 1898 from a Sanborn Insurance Map.

Notes

Dr. Jones of Brooklyn and son of the founder of Jonesville, gave an interesting sketch of the early settlement of the county. Mr. Jones's father came to Jonesville in 1828. His brother was the first white child born in the county in 1828.The first saw mill in the county was built at Jonesville and was run by “man” power, one at each end of the saw, one above the log and the other below. [DFP-1881-0617]

Jonesville had a water tower as of 1926. [NYCtt1926]

Time Line

1850. The Michigan Southern railroad reaches Jonesville. [MRL]

1869. The Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw is built south through Jonesville in 1869. It crosses the Old Road at "Fort Wayne Junction" 1/2 mile south of town. [MRL]

1876. Five cars of the FWJ&S were thrown from the track by the breaking of an axle near Jonesville. [PHTH-1876-0525]

1906. December. A serious riot occurred here this morning between the citizens and the employees of the Himebaugh Telephone Co. who were trying to erect poles on the main street of the town. A general fire alarm was sounded calling out over 800 people, who assembled to stop the erection of the poles. The men were raising the first pole when the citizens and fire brigade arrived. Three streams of water were immediately played on the workmen who responded to the attack with axes and pike-poles, cutting the hose. Sheriff Blossom at once deputized several citizens who placed the workmen under arrest. President Himebaugh and his lawyer arrived this afternoon and gave bond for his men. [DFP-1906-1201]

1976. The Fort Wayne branch is removed. The Old Road continues to exist under INER operation. [MRL]