Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Michigan Southern
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2013
1. Old Michigan Southern Marker
One of the pioneer rail lines of the west, the Michigan Southern transported during a colorful but brief period a vast army of settlers who crossed Lake Erie by boat. Trains waited at the piers to carry the travelers and their possessions west to Chicago.
From Lake Erie to this point the line was built by local capital and was known as the River Raisin & Lake Erie, moving freight by horse-drawn cars. Sold to the State in 1837 the road was extended to Adrian, the first train running Nov. 30, 1840.
Monroe and eastern capital rescued the State from failure and extended the rails to Chicago.
About 1860 the old railroad station was moved from this site to the intersection of the Detroit-Toledo line.
Erected by Monroe County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 30, 1825.
Location. 41° 55.005′ N, 83° 24.013′ W. Marker is in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. Marker is on West 1st Street, 0.2 miles west of Cass Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located in a small triangular plaza at the apex of West 1st Street, West Front Street and Harrison
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Editor Ellis, 1825 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); River Raisin Legacy Project (about 400 feet away); Historic Crossroad (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named River Raisin Legacy Project (about 700 feet away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (about 800 feet away); Boyd School (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul's United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Doctor Eduard Dorsch (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.
More about this marker. Both sides of the marker are identical. The marker is weathered and faded.
Also see . . . History of railroads in Michigan. The state's finances were in chaos. In 1846 the legislature sold both the "Southern" and "Central" lines to private investors at a loss; out of the ruins of the state's projects arose the Michigan Southern Railroad and Michigan Central Railroad. Another outcome was Michigan's revised constitution of 1850, which explicitly forbade direct investment in or construction of "any work of internal improvement." (Submitted on March 24, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2013
2. Old Michigan Southern Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 21, 2022
3. Old Michigan Southern Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on December 30, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on May 23, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
