Imlay City in Lapeer County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Grand Trunk Railroad Depot / Imlay City

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 4, 2022

1. Grand Trunk Railroad Depot / Imlay City Marker — side 1

Inscription.
Grand Trunk Railroad Depot The Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad, later the Grand Trunk Western, arrived here in 1870. The first depot burned in 1917, and makeshift quarters served for a decade. This depot was built in 1927, according to Grand Trunk’s specifications. In 1930 an addition was built on the west end of the depot. The Grand Trunk abandoned the depot in 1971 and sold it to the city for use as the Imlay City Historical Museum.

Imlay City Connecticut capitalist William H. Imlay began buying Michigan pinelands in 1836. In 1850 newly organized Imlay Township was named for him. The Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad cut through Imlay’s forests and arrived in July 1870. The railroad’s chief engineer, Charles Palmer, purchased 240 acres of land, which he platted as Imlay City less than a week later. Within eighteen months the town had 500 residents, a schoolhouse, two hotels, nearly 20 stores, and an additional 100 buildings.

Erected 2006 by Michigan Historical Commission—Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L780.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1870.

Location.

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43° 1.415′ N, 83° 4.486′ W. Marker is in Imlay City, Michigan, in Lapeer County. Marker is on Depot Drive near North Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 77 North Main Street, Imlay City MI 48444, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rosie the Riveter Memorial Garden (here, next to this marker); Grand Trunk Depot - 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ornamental Iron Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer (within shouting distance of this marker); Yerex Building - 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); Imlay Township Hall Library - 1951 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Imlay City Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grettenberger Field (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Imlay City.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker replaced
The marker was repaired and reinstalled in August 2021.

— Submitted April 15, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.

Grand Trunk Railroad Depot / Imlay City Marker — side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 4, 2022

2. Grand Trunk Railroad Depot / Imlay City Marker — side 2

Grand Trunk Railroad Depot and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 4, 2022

3. Grand Trunk Railroad Depot and Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 4, 2022

4. Grand Trunk Railroad Depot and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.