River Rouge, MI: Smith's Coal Co.

(Satellite, the land was repurposed by a power plant)

Mike Delaney posted six images with the comment: "One of Michigan Central's early Ecorse, Mi. Marsh Track customers was Smith's Coal Co. Bunkering dock at the mouth of the Rouge Canal later the Rouge Short Cut canal on the Detroit River.  The coal dock consisted of 12 shutes and pockets.  Established in the early 1890's along side Smith's lumber dock and facilties.  Smith's also had bunkering docks in Bay City, Lorain, Toledo, and Detroit.  MCRR also brought in some Anthracite coal to the dock on the river level for local customers in the downriver and Detroit area as well as outgoing coal for ship bunkering.  Smiths coal dock was an official established river navigation landmark with lights and flag as a steering point in the river, a storm warning station and a water depth gage station.  Photo shown is the only known photo I have ever seen of the  shute dock itself.  United Fuel & Supply bought the dock and operated it its last years.  Dock was closed in and about 1921.    Map date is 1895."

1

2

3

4

5

6

Dennis DeBruler commented on Mike's post
I can see why it was called the "Marsh Track."
1905 Detroit Quadrangle @ 1:62,500