The Railroad Well

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 6, 2021

1. The Railroad Well Marker

Inscription.
In 1836, a well was placed at this site for the use of the Southern Michigan Railroad Company to supply water for its steam locomotives. This rail line was used for passengers and freight between Monroe and Adrian. Because the water from this well proved to be an excellent supply, a stop was established here and the township of Ida was born and flourished. As time passed, the well was closed by the railroad. In 1939, the new Ida Volunteer Fire Department re-opened the well and leased its use from the railroad to provide fire protection for the community of Ida.

Erected by Monroe County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 54.502′ N, 83° 34.442′ W. Marker was in Ida, Michigan, in Monroe County. It was on Lewis Avenue 0.1 miles north of Ida Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3016 Lewis Ave, Ida MI 48140, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker was in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It was also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Ida Village / Ida Township (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bridge School (approx. 3.9 miles away); a different marker also named Bridge School (approx. 3.9 miles away); Meyer Rosen Foundation Holiday Camp (approx. 4.2 miles away); Peter Seitz Tavern & Stagecoach Inn (approx. 4.3 miles away); West County Park (approx. 4.8 miles away); First People of Monroe County (approx. 4.8 miles away); The River Raisin (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ida.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 6, 2021

2. The Railroad Well Marker

Marker with Ida Branch Library behind

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on October 21, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.