Grayling in Crawford County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Grayling Depot

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2013

1. Grayling Depot Marker

Inscription. December of 1872, Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad Company had laid track to Crawford and a freight house was built. In those days railroad companies named the Railway Stops, and in this instance the J.L. & S. Decided on Crawford. The present Depot you are viewing was built in 1882 and Consisted of a Hotel, Restaurant, Crews Quarters, and Freight Facilities.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 44° 39.65′ N, 84° 42.951′ W. Marker is in Grayling, Michigan, in Crawford County. Marker is on East Michigan Avenue south of Norway Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the east side of the Crawford County Historical Society Museum building, formerly the Grayling Railroad Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 97 East Michigan Avenue, Grayling MI 49738, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Crawford County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Shoppenagon / Shoppenagon's Homesite (approx. 0.2 miles away); Au Sable Riverboat Commemoration (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michelson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The 75 MM Pack Howitzer (approx. ¼ mile

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away); City of Grayling and Camp Grayling Partnership (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (approx. ¼ mile away); M60 Tank (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grayling.

More about this marker. Marker is a painted metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high wooden post and backboard.

Regarding Grayling Depot. The fish in the lakes and rivers were called Grayling. The townspeople eventually changed the town’s name to Grayling after the fish which have now become extinct. The old depot was scheduled for demolition at one point but the community rallied together to save it, restore it and turn it into a museum.

Also see . . .
1. Grayling, Michigan Railroad Station. In 1882, the JL&S leased their track and property to the Michigan Central Railroad. That same year, the MC built the depot that now stands and they also built a new freight house. A roundhouse was also built. There were 8 tracks between the depot and the roundhouse. In its heyday, the depot was truly a terminal. There were 7 northbound passenger trains and 5 southbound trains, as well as freight trains, all of which went through Grayling daily. The roundhouse burned

Grayling Depot (<i>marker visible near Michigan Avenue sidewalk, on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2013

2. Grayling Depot (marker visible near Michigan Avenue sidewalk, on right)

to the ground in July, 1939 at a loss of $150,000. It was never rebuilt. The cause of the fire was not clear. The upstairs of the depot consisted of 2 kitchens, a bathroom and sleeping quarters. The crewmen slept in the rooms on the left side of the long hallway and the engineers and firemen slept in rooms on the right side. The agent had his desk in the large area which is to the right of the telegrapher's area on the main floor. (Submitted on October 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. A History of The Jackson & Lansing Railroad. During 1872, the JL&S was sold to Michigan Central Railroad Company, which was owned and operated by the New York Central Railroad. In those days many lumberman knew in advance when and where railroads would be built. They purchased a tract of timber, built lumber camps and had them in operation when the railroad was constructed. Hoop-makers, tie makers and other came very soon. Villages with post offices, stores and mills came into existence. For over 100 years, passenger service was an every day occurrence on the JL&S line. However, by 1950, service was reduced to one train to Lansing and one train to Grand Rapids and back. In the early 60s, when the US Interstate Highway system had made traveling by car far much more convenient than by train, the service ceased. (Submitted on October 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Grayling Depot (<i>southwest corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2013

3. Grayling Depot (southwest corner)

Grayling Depot (<i>southeast corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2013

4. Grayling Depot (southeast corner)

Detroit & Mackinac Caboose #207 (<i>located on north side of the Grayling Depot</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2013

5. Detroit & Mackinac Caboose #207 (located on north side of the Grayling Depot)

Grayling Depot / Crawford County Historical Society Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2013

6. Grayling Depot / Crawford County Historical Society Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.