The Trains of Lake Orion

The Trains of Lake Orion. . , Michigan Central Railroad , On the southwest corner of S. Lapeer Street and W. Flint Street was the site of the Orion railroad station. Railroads were vital to the growth and prosperity of Orion. The Detroit and Bay City Railroad, a division of the Michigan Central Railroad, reached Orion in 1872, leading to the area becoming a major farming center. The Orion Review in October 1887 listed the week's produce market; J.C. Predmore shipped 5700 bushels of potatoes and 1000 bushels of rutabagas. Ira Carpenter shipped 22 bushels of rutabagas and C.F. Beebe shipped 1000 bushels of rutabagas and 2000 bushels of potatoes. In 1883 the Pontiac, Oxford and Port Austin, later the Pontiac Oxford and Northern and finally the Grand Trunk Railroad, established 2 stations in Orion. This railroad went from Pontiac to Caseville in Michigan's thumb. The arrival of the "Iron Horse" was also a boon to the area's emergence as a resort destination, bringing vacationers from miles around in the era before automobiles were widely available. An ad in the Orion Review in 1884 for the Swift House hotel (Verwood) boasted of its location near the railroad depot as well as stabling for horses. The Green's Hotel was also located near the Landing which is now Green's Park. , , Detroit United Railroad , The Detroit United Railway, also known as the Interurban, was vital to the growth of Lake Orion as a major tourist destination at the turn of the century. These electric railroad cars, often called trolley cars, brought thousands of pleasure-seekers from as far as Detroit and Flint each weekend to enjoy the resort community and amusements on Park Island. The station was located across from the Michigan Central railroad station at what was then known as Main Landing. The Pontiac Oxford and Northern Railroad ceased running through Orion in 1955 and the Detroit and Bay City Railroad stopped in the mid 1930s. The Paint Creek Trail now follows the site of the Detroit and Bay City Railroad. The Pontiac Oakland and Northern Railroad corridor is now the site of the Polly Ann Trail. The Village of Lake Orion was served by trains on the Michigan Central Railroad from 1872 to 1976, and the Detroit United Railway (DUR) interurban system from 1899 to 1931. Many of the local youth rode the DUR to high school at Orion or Rochester. The fare was a nickel. When the automobile arrived, use of the DUR by passengers dropped off. , , Fun Facts...Did you know? , A trolley's average speed was 40=50 miles per hour. Fares averaged a penny a mile. A round trip from Flint or Detroit to Orion cost about 50 cents. , , Bottom image caption: Main Landing "Green's Park" 1933.