Rochester in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1867-1877
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2022
1. 1867-1877 Marker
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. It can be reached from Sixth
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and 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: 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.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2022
2. 1867-1877 Marker
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 22, 2022
3. Rochester Golden Bicentennial Monument plaque
Marker is part of the Rochester Golden Bicentennial Monument.
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 201 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
