Old West Side in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Ann Arbor Railroad

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

1. The Ann Arbor Railroad Marker

Inscription.

The Ann Arbor Railroad. . , The Toledo and Ann Arbor Railroad reached Ann Arbor in 1878 amid festive celebrations. "Big Jim" Ashley, former lawyer, abolitionist, and Ohio congressman, was the driving force behind its construction. Always one to seize opportunities, Ashley pushed the line northwest to Frankfort on Lake Michigan, where his railroad-car ferries were the first in the world to cross a wide body of water. , , A new depot (above) was built in 1889 two blocks south of here on Second, soon renamed Ashley Street. The railroad's mainstay was freight. Local merchants had warehouses and sidings where coal, oil, and lumber were unloaded. Passenger traffic was also brisk, especially in summer with vacationers heading to cottages. In autumn football specials from throughout the Midwest brought fans, who disembarked near the stadium. During the game, the engines were turned around for the return trip. Horse-drawn ambulances met patients arriving for treatment at University Hospital. Passenger service ended in 1950, although freight hauling continued. In 1985, after a variety of uses, the depot became a preschool with an old caboose on its playground. , , Top left image caption: , Passengers leave the depot on a football Saturday in October 1909. , , Bottom left image caption: , Sightseers gawk at a train derailment south of Liberty in 1908. In the background on First Street are Mack and Co.'s warehouse and Ann Arbor Central Mills. , , Main image inset caption: , James Ashley , , Top right image caption: , Gasoline-powered McKeen rail cars, like the one shown here crossing Ashley, operated between 1911 and 1925. Summer day trips were so popular that the railroad ran eight trains between Ann Arbor and Whitmore Lake. Locals called the run the "Ping-Pong." , , Bottom right image caption: , The station agent holds up a hoop with train orders for the engineer to hook as he steams by. , , Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Railroad , , Photos courtesy of H. Mark Hildebrandt, Wystan A. Stevens, and the Bentley Historical Library

The Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad reached Ann Arbor in 1878 amid festive celebrations. "Big Jim" Ashley, former lawyer, abolitionist, and Ohio congressman, was the driving force behind its construction. Always one to seize opportunities, Ashley pushed the line northwest to Frankfort on Lake Michigan, where his railroad-car ferries were the first in the world to cross a wide body of water.

A new depot (above) was built in 1889 two blocks south of here on Second, soon renamed Ashley Street. The railroad's mainstay was freight. Local merchants had warehouses and sidings where coal, oil, and lumber were unloaded. Passenger traffic was also brisk, especially in summer with vacationers heading to cottages. In autumn football specials from throughout the Midwest brought fans, who disembarked near the stadium. During the game, the engines were turned around for the return trip. Horse-drawn ambulances met patients arriving for treatment at University Hospital. Passenger service ended in 1950, although freight hauling continued. In 1985, after a variety of uses, the depot became a preschool with an old caboose on its playground.

Top left image caption:
Passengers leave the depot on a football Saturday in October 1909.

Bottom left image caption:
Sightseers gawk at a train derailment south

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Liberty in 1908. In the background on First Street are Mack & Co.'s warehouse and Ann Arbor Central Mills.

Main image inset caption:
James Ashley

Top right image caption:
Gasoline-powered McKeen rail cars, like the one shown here crossing Ashley, operated between 1911 and 1925. Summer day trips were so popular that the railroad ran eight trains between Ann Arbor and Whitmore Lake. Locals called the run the "Ping-Pong."

Bottom right image caption:
The station agent holds up a hoop with train orders for the engineer to hook as he steams by.

Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Railroad

Photos courtesy of H. Mark Hildebrandt, Wystan A. Stevens, and the Bentley Historical Library

Erected by Ann Arbor Historical Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1909.

Location. 42° 16.784′ N, 83° 44.984′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in the Old West Side. Marker is at the intersection of South Ashley Street and West Liberty Street, on the right when traveling north on South Ashley Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 West Liberty Street, Ann Arbor MI 48104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

2. The Ann Arbor Railroad Marker

are within walking distance of this marker. Industry and Recreation on Allen Creek (here, next to this marker); Allen Creek Valley Shapes the Town (here, next to this marker); Germans on Ashley Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Staeblers and the Germania/American Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Germans In Ann Arbor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Main Street Shopping Experience (about 300 feet away); Main Street Shopping Expands (about 400 feet away); Downtown Movie Theaters (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.