Clio in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Clio Depot
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 16, 2019
1. Clio Depot Marker
Inscription.
Clio Depot. . In 1862 the Flint Pere Marquette Railroad built its original 26.1-mile section of track from Saginaw to Mount Morris. It selected Clio, originally known as Varna, as a railroad station location. The area around Varna was covered with white pine. The railroad thrived on the shipment of logs, lumber and wood products. In 1873 Varna changed its name to Clio and this frame depot was built. As the surrounding forests were cleared, rich farm land became available. By 1881 Clio had a population of 550 and boasted a blacksmith shop, a flour mill, a shingle mill, a grain elevator and numerous general stores. Between 1880 and 1915, as many as eight passenger trains stopped at the station each day and hundreds of carloads of freight were shipped each year. The station was used by the railroads until 1960. In 1977 it was purchased by the Clio Area Historical Association.
In 1862 the Flint Pere Marquette Railroad built its original 26.1-mile section of track from Saginaw to Mount Morris. It selected Clio, originally known as Varna, as a railroad station location. The area around Varna was covered with white pine. The railroad thrived on the shipment of logs, lumber and wood products. In 1873 Varna changed its name to Clio and this frame depot was built. As the surrounding forests were cleared, rich farm land became available. By 1881 Clio had a population of 550 and boasted a blacksmith shop, a flour mill, a shingle mill, a grain elevator and numerous general stores. Between 1880 and 1915, as many as eight passenger trains stopped at the station each day and hundreds of carloads of freight were shipped each year. The station was used by the railroads until 1960. In 1977 it was purchased by the Clio Area Historical Association.
Erected 1985 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L586.)
is in Clio, Michigan, in Genesee County. Marker is on West Vienna Street near Railway Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 West Vienna Street, Clio MI 48420, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This view of the depot is along the tracks looking north. The marker is on the far right.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on April 29, 2023, by John Garman of Rochester Hills.
