Ann Arbor, MI: School/Ann Arbor Depot

(Satellite)

The Michigan Central Depot is also extant.

Street View, Apr 2024

The caboose is on the north side of the depot.

Street View, Apr 2024

Charlie Unbehaun posted five photos with the comment: "Here are some photos of the old Depot on South Ashley St. in downtown Ann Arbor, MI.  From a description from the Ann Arbor Library, the last passenger train that was boarded here was in 1950.  The rail line was the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan Railroad.  The line is still used for freight.  In the 1970s I lived right next to the line on a bit of a grade.  As I recall they would transport sand from up north to Toledo.  The depot is currently used for a Montessori school.  There is an old caboose next to it that is part of the school playground.  As I recall, it was originally moved there with the intention of it being used for a beauty parlor or a barber shop."

Tim Shanahan shared

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The route was the Ann Arbor Railroad.

1965/67 Ann Arbor West and East Quads @ 24,000

Ann Pere, MI: Depot and Junction Tower: Ann Arbor vs. C&O/Pere Marquette/DL&N

Tower: (Satellite)

Depot: (Satellite)

DL&N = Detroit, Lansing & Northern

Darren Reynolds posted two images with the comment:

PM/AA

"Ann Pere" tower 

Ann Pere,Michigan

Herb H Theodore: Looking timetable east. [Along the PM]

Dale Berry: Annpere and Howell were two separate places when the crossing was established. Here is an article titled "The Depate about AnnPere - 1895" which debates the signal system used at the crossing. https://www.michiganrailroads.com/.../4913-the-debate...

Tim Shanahan shared

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Doug Hefty commented on Darren's post
In living color. Photographer unknown.

MichiganRailroads
"Since Annpere had no population, this depot was constructed for the purpose of interchanging passengers from one railroad to the other....The tower at the crossing was staffed for over 60 years, when the interlocking was replaced with an automatic interlocking on July 30, 1959. An automatic interlocking simply gives the proceed signal to the first train from either road that activates the approach circuitry first. "

Indeed, there was no town, just a swamp, at that junction.

1907/07 Howell Quad @ 62,500

Lakeland, MI: Junction Tower: Ann Arbor vs. GTW

(Satellite, it was just north of the crossing.)

Tim Shanahan posted

Charles Geletzke Photograph:

The GTW 5043 & 5038 were seen heading a Michigan Railroad Club fantrip at Lakeland, Michigan on June 14, 1959.  Here they are passing the Ann Arbor Railroad's interlocking tower. (C. T. Stoner photo; C. H. Geletzke, Jr. collection)

By 1965, the GTW terminated in Lakeland. Now, the GTW route is a state park trail in both directions.

1965/65 Hamburg Quad @ 24,000

Charles' photo showed me that it was the building just north of the crossing.

Apr 21, 1963 @ 18,000; AR1VAUB00010032

Lake George, MI: Lost/Ann Arbor Wood Coaling Tower

(Satellite? I could not find it on the aerial below. Was it already gone by 1955?)

Tim Shanahan posted

Greg Bunce:

Here's an undated post card of the Ann Arbor coaling tower in Lake George.  Photo from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography at the University of Michigan-William L. Clement Library.

Brian R. Wroblewski: I see a coal loaded gon in the background. I wonder how they unloaded it into the wharf.

Apr 1, 1955 @ 17,000; AR1VBF000260103

Alma, MI: Lost/Union Station (Ann Arbor and Pere Marquette)

(Satellite, the land has been reused.)

Once again, when we see horses at a station, we see milk cans.

Clare Union Railroad Depot posted

FIVE STOPS, 34 MILES, AND JUST 65 MINUTES VIA THE ANN ARBOR RAILROAD TO THE SOUTH OF OUR CLARE UNION DEPOT…ALMA MICHIGAN’S UNION STATION

This was the scene in Alma at the crossing of the Ann Arbor and Pere Marquette Railroads. In the mid 1910s, one could catch any one of four southbound steam trains or motor cars to visit Alma from Clare, but, according to our timetable,by 1931 the 9:47 AM No. 52 was your only choice.

Jamie Ruggiero: The Model T changed things... [And the depression]

By 1973, the PM route terminated in Alma.

1973/76 Alma North and South Quads @ 24,000

The PM used to go further West.

1938/38 Alma Quad @ 62,500

Normally, a Union Station is at the crossing of the two railroads. But in this case, since the PM and AA shared a RoW on the west side of the town, the station was a block west of the crossing. In was north of the tracks and a little east of Prospect Ave. The white line between the tracks supports that theory. If you look at the above photo, you can see that a platform was built inside the tracks closest to the depot and between the tracks.

May 1, 1954 @ 23,600; AR1VDI000070007

According to the 2004 SPV Map, the PM route was operated by Mid-Michigan Railroad (MMRR), and the Ann Arbor route was operated by Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway (TSBY).

Toledo, OH: Manhattan Junction Tower: Pennsy+Ann Arbor vs. NKP/W&LE

(Satellite)

Darren Reynolds posted five photos with the comment: "Conrails (Ex-PRR/AA/NKP)

"Manhattan Jct." tower 

Toledo,  Ohio"

Tim Shanahan shared

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"Manhattan Jct." Tower

Photo by: Doug Leffler 1983

Mark DuVall: Train is entering the PRR/AA headed north towards Milan where they will turn right(east) and head to Oakwood Yd in Melvindale, MI. The double track is the PRR Olive Secondary, left is north towards Detroit and right is towards Walbridge & Carrotthers Oh. The track coming into the picture is the original W&LE that went down to Cherry St. Station in Downtown Toledo. If memory servers me correctly, the track was used by the N&W to serve Libby glass. Out of the picture to the left, the AA would parallel the W&LE to downtown where they had a station or shared on with the Wheeling. Over the years, Conrail would sever the PRR by demolishing the bridge(east of here) over the Maumee. They did have a job that would come north on the Detroit line up to Alexis and shove down the AA to the waterfront and service the industries they had there. After the Conrail split, the added the Libby glass work onto the job. The N&W used to serve the industry from Homestead on the east side of the river. Things have changed however. The NS no longer serves any industry and has transferred the work to the AA. The bridge is owned by the new Wheeling. They still use the bridge to run a road train up to the CN's Lang Yd.

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A Conrail train crossing the Dimond at "Manhattan Jct"

Tower on June 1,1979

Photo by: C.H.Geletzke Jr.

[Those signalling pipelines were my motivation to research the location of this tower.]

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The model board at "Manhattan Jct." Tower April 1984

Photo by: David P. Oroszi

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The operator's desk at "Manhattan Jct." Tower 3/1984

Photo by: David P. Oroszi

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N&W Eng #2469 is getting ready to hit the Dimonds of

Conrail at "Manhattan Jct." Tower

Photo by: C.H.Geletzke Jr.

The NKP and Ann Arbor are labelled. Pennsy was the railroad along the river.

1952/54 toledo and Point Place Quads @ 24,000

May 1, 1963 @ 24,000; AR1VARA00010127

Digitally Zooming into the upper-left corner

Ashley, MI: Ann Arbor and GTW Join Depot

(Satellite)

Charles Geletzke Jr. posted
Here is the Ann Arbor's joint with the GTW depot in Ashley, Michigan as photographed on April 30, 1972. (C. H. Geletzke, Jr. photo)

Dennis DeBruler commented on Charles' post [AR1VDI000050163]
Having street signs in the photo does make it easier to locate: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XYcQLLdJ2XHk8M4h8. I confirmed the location with this 1954 aerial photo. The AA tracks are in the foreground, and the GTW tracks are behind the depot.

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

Today’s featured depot is the union station in Ashley 🚂

Ashley, located in Gratiot County, was settled around 1883. The settlement was actually named after the president of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Railroad. By 1887, Ashley was thriving, boasting a seven mile long logging railroad, two saw mills, a feed mill, planing mill, hoop mill. 

Ashley’s union depot served both the Ann Arbor and GTW railroads.

While the depot no longer exists, Ashley remains true to its railroading history by hosting the Pere Marquette 1225 (The Polar Express) during the holiday season each year. The Village of Ashley gleefully welcomes the passengers of the 1225 into their Country Christmas wonderland. The 1225 made 25 trips into Ashley this last Christmas season!

Durand Union Station-Michigan Railroad History Museum shared

Street View, Aug 2014

The 2005 SPV Map indicates that both of these routes are now operated by the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway. (TSBY).

143/43 Elsie Quad @ 62,500

Corunna, MI: GTW & Ann Arbor Depots and Two Wood Grain Elevators

GTW Depot: (Satellite)

AA Depot: (Satellite)

Elevator: (Satellite, it is now a feed mill)

Alon Delores posted three photos with the comment:

GTW Corunna MI Depot, GTW Corunna MI Depot, AA Corunna Depot 

Corunna was settled about 1836 in Shiawassee County. It became the county seat in 1840, a village in 1858 and a city in 1869. [MPN]

Corunna is located about three miles east of downtown Owosso, and was served by both the Grand Trunk Western and Ann Arbor railroads.

Photo Info: Top and 2nd photo, the Grand Trunk Western depot at Corunna. This was known as a "Witch's Hat" depot design. [Alan Loftis collection]. 3rd photo, the Ann Arbor depot at Corunna, with two passing trains in the photo. An elevator appears to be across the track from the depot. [CMUL]

Notes

The GT depot here was of a "witches hat" design, similar to GTW depots in South Lyon and Saranac.

Time Line

1898. February. Burglars went through the Corunna railroad station. The automatic gum machine was smashed and $1.98 in cents taken, also the agent's revolver. Depots at Owosso and Vernon were also broken into. [CCA-1898-0210]

1900. This is a telegraph station on the Ann Arbor railroad. [OG-1900]

1918. The AARR had a daytime station agent here, as did the GTW. [TRT].

[Alon's description has the second and third photos interchanged.]

Carrie Hastings-Cody: Being new to Corunna, where was this located?

Mike Boudro: Carrie Hastings-Cody The fire insurance map from 1908 has it placed along the Ann Arbor's track on Shiawassee St. south of the main drag of town. The Ann Arbor track has since been pulled up.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4114cm.g039771908/?sp=1&r=-0.583,-0.017,2.165,1.315,0

Effectively across the street from where the Corunna VFW currently sits, on what is now Corunna Mills.

Charles Geletzke Jr. shared

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Steve Lucas: The McKeen railcar on the right is interesting!

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Karl Heckman: There were 5 DEPOTS on the Grand Trunk RR with was called Witches Hat style. CORRUNNA was one.

Durand Union Station-Michigan Railroad History Museum posted three images with the comment:

Today’s featured depot is the GTW station in Corunna 🚂

Corunna was settled around 1836 in Shiawassee County and would elevate to city status by 1869. 

Corunna was served by both the Grand Trunk and Ann Arbor railroads. The map below shows the location of both depots, from 1915. The GTW built a depot here featuring a “witch’s hat” design. The GTW depots in Saranac and South Lyon had a this same design feature. 

Unfortunately, this depot no longer exists. 

“Fun” Fact: 

In 1898, the depot was burgled and the thieves made off with $1.98 from a gum machine and the station agent’s revolver. 

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Citations: 

“Station: Corunna, MI”. Michigan Railroad History. https://www.michiganrailroads.com/.../142.../1996-corunna-mi. Accessed 06 June 2025. 

📸 source: https://www.michiganrailroads.com/.../142.../1996-corunna-mi

Map: via George Brown in a comment on the following post https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DXJCAkN8r/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Jacob Meganck: Interesting how far they were from the downtown area and it didn't build up around them.

It's sad what is happening to the similar Owosso Depot

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1944/1944 Corunna Quad @ 62,500

Jul 24, 1953 @ 60,000;  ARA001080161923

Both wood elevators in Alon's photo appear to be extant. The trucks are parked on the former AnnArbor RoW.

Street View, May 2022

Street View, May 2022

Actually, I think there are more than two wood elevators. I see at least three headhouses.

Street View, Aug 2019

They have a lot of grain storage for a feed mill.

Satellite

Byron, MI: 1885 Preserved/Ann Arbor Depot and Wood Grain Elevator

Depot: (Satellite, the grain elevator was on the other side of the tracks.)

Street View, Nov 2021

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

This Friday's featured depot is the Ann Arbor depot in Byron 🚂 

Byron was settled back in 1824. In 1885, the Toledo, Ann Arbor, & Northern Railroad  reached Byron and this depot was built shortly after. The Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Railroad would eventually go on to become the Ann Arbor Railroad.  

The Ann Arbor Railroad ceased passenger service in 1950. The depot fell into a state of disrepair. However, the depot would eventually be purchased and restored, and is cared for by the owners on private property. 

Note: The depot is a pale yellow in color. The color quality of our photo shifted after scanning and uploading. 

Sources: 

Unknown Author. Genealogy Trails. "Shiawassee County, MI - Village of Byron". https://genealogytrails.com/mich/shiawassee/citybyron.html

Top Photo: https://www.michiganrailroads.com/.../142.../1994-byron-mi

Bottom Photo: Kovl, David R. (2023). "Michigan Rail Preservation 2023". Durand, MI: Durand Union Station Inc. Page 15.

Jim Drude: Is the rail line still active here ?

Larry W Harrell: Jim Drude yes! Great Lakes Central RR.

Mike Breski shared

Mike Steel shared

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Durand Union Station-Michigan Railroad History Museum commented on their post
Here are the photos that Larry W Harrell took of the Byron Depot in 1986.

Durand Union Station-Michigan Railroad History Museum commented on their post
Here are the photos that Larry W Harrell took of the Byron Depot in 1986.

MichiganRailroads, Central Michigan University Libraries. www.cmich.edu
[Note that this photo also catches the water tower. The elevator was rather large for its day. And the boxcars remind one that covered hoppers were not developed until the 1960s.]