Rochester in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1867-1877
1872 The Detroit & Bay City Railroad Company laid its tracks through Rochester and brought the first train to town in October.
The railroad brought rapid transportation and communication to a sleepy village, and with it the economic prosperity that rose from a reliable connection to the outside world. Soon after the railroad arrived, Rochester has a successful newspaper, a grain elevator, and booming businesses with ready access to Detroit markets. After several mergers, the railroad became known as the Penn-Central and it carried this name until the line was abandoned in 1976.
Lysander Woodward was the first president of the railroad line and was instrumental in the financing of the line and securing right-of-way. He also owned a large farming operation on the north side of the Village of Rochester.
Bethany Spence
Henson
Erected 2017.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 42° 41.032′ N, 83° 8.206′ W. Marker is in Rochester, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker can be reached from Sixth Street. Marker is in Rochester Municipal Park at the southeast end near Pine Street — between the parking lot and the pond. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Sixth Street, Rochester MI 48307, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1857-1867 (here, next to this marker); 1877-1887 (here, next to this marker); 1847-1857 (here, next to this marker); 1887-1897 (here, next to this marker); 1837-1847 (here, next to this marker); 1897-1907 (here, next to this marker); 1827-1837 (here, next to this marker); 1907-1917 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.