Station: Leslie, MI

Leslie was settled about 1836 as Meekersville but renamed Leslie in 1841. It is 20 miles south of downtown Lansing in southern Ingham County. The town is located on what was the Michigan Central branch line from Jackson to Saginaw via Lansing. Leslie became a village in 1869. [MPN]

Photo info: Top, a Michigan Central passenger train arrives at Leslie. Train order boards are clear for both directions. 2nd photo, the MC depot at Leslie on their line from Jackson to Lansing. [Alan Loftis collection]. 3rd photo, the Jackson to Lansing interurban line passes through downtown Leslie. 4th photo, the depot in 2003 which has been converted to a restaurant. [Alan Loftis]

Notes

Time Line

1866. On the JL&S at Leslie, the water from the thunderstorm of the night previous had settled in the cut, to the depth of about ten inches, and a thick coat of ice formed on the surface. Upon arrival of the southbound passenger train the conductor thought that with extra speed it could be run through. A full head of steam was put on, and when in the middle of the cut the train stuck fast, so that it could be moved in neither direction. It was with great difficulty that the engine could be extricated. The passengers return to Leslie, and at last account the train still remained frozen in the cut. Yesterday, a gang of laborers were sent to rescue it. [DFP-1866-0124]

1917. The MC had an operator-agent here on the day shift. [TRT]