Howell in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ann Arbor Railroad

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

1. Ann Arbor Railroad Marker

Inscription. Howell raised $20,000 in 1885 to induce the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan to enter town. Many believed the town, already served by one railroad, would boom with a second line. Early in 1886 a right-of-way dispute erupted in an armed brawl between workmen of the two lines. The case was mediated in favor of the TAA&NM, and in the summer of 1886 this depot was built. The line was renamed the Ann Arbor Railroad in 1895.

Erected 1971 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number L94.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 42° 36.554′ N, 83° 55.758′ W. Marker is in Howell, Michigan, in Livingston County. It is at the intersection of Wetmore Street and North Walnut Street, on the left when traveling east on Wetmore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 128 Wetmore Street, Howell MI 48843, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and

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in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Livingston Co. Civil War Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Livingston County WWI Honor Roll (about 800 feet away); Howell Carnegie Library (about 800 feet away); Opera House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Livingston County Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 0.2 miles away); County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); National Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Livingston County Press (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Howell.

Also see . . . Ann Arbor Railway Station. The Ann Arbor Railway Station (or Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan Railway Station) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. An excerpt from the Nomination Form:

The Toldeo, Ann Arbor and Northern Railroad Company became the Ann Arbor Railroad
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

2. Ann Arbor Railroad Marker and Former Howell Depot
Company in 1895. The company still leases the east end of the building where its activities are limited to shipping, but this will be phased out in about a year. The Livingston County Historical Society purchased the station in early 1970, and operates it as a museum. The high school in Howell offered a course on museum techniques in the summer of 1970, and the class assisted in restoring the depot.

(Submitted on July 28, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Ann Arbor Railroad's Howell Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

3. Ann Arbor Railroad's Howell Depot

Plaques on Depot Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

4. Plaques on Depot Wall

Top:
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior
Ann Arbor Railway Station
1886

Bottom:
Built 1886
Significant Historic Building
Ann Arbor Railroad Depot
Howell Main Street

Plaque on Fence Near the Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 26, 2017

5. Plaque on Fence Near the Depot

This is the wrought iron railing that was on the North Michigan Avenue railroad bridge which was constructed in 1902.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 767 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 31, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.