Topinabee, MI: Library/NYC/MC Depot

(Satellite)

This Michigan Central route is now abandoned.

Street View, Sep 2024

Durand Union Station-Michigan Railroad History Museum posted two photos with the comment:

Today’s featured depot is the station in Topinabee 🚂

Located on the west side of Mullett Lake, Topinabee was settled around 1881 with the involvement of Michigan Central Railroad officials. The community’s name honors a Potawatomi leader.

Michigan Central saw an opportunity to promote tourism in the area and encourage more passengers to travel by rail. They’d hoped to turn Topinabee into a resort town. In December 1903, the railroad purchased the local hotel, reportedly with plans to improve and renovate the property as part of its efforts to develop Topinabee as a resort destination.

Today, the former depot still stands and serves a new purpose as the Topinabee Public Library. 

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Top photo from CMU Library. Bottom image is from @outandaboutbookbus on Instagram.

Paul Chapoton: I live a mile from the depot. It's our library and has some nice NYC items inside.

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