| Tracks running north-south through Grand Haven were
built around 1870, by the Michigan Lake Shore RR. Their line ran from Allegan
to Muskegon. By 1900, it was part of the Pere Marquette System.
The depot itself was built by PMRR, probably in the 1920's.
Almost unbelievably, the Grand Haven depot remained in use as a passenger
station until April 1971. Grand Haven was a stop on a passenger train connecting
Muskegon to the Chicago-Grand Rapids trains at Holland. This service lasted
until the day Amtrak relieved the C&O of its passenger train
responsibilities, and dropped Grand Rapids-Chicago service. The Muskegon
train ended at the same time. On the final run of this train, April 30, 1971,
over 200 people boarded the train in Grand Haven. For more on this "most
obscure train that lasted until Amtrak", see the April 1988 issue of
Passenger Train Journal.
 |
Through the mid 1990's the depot sat unused and
deteriorating. The railroad had scheduled its demolition. At the last minute,
investors came foreward and bought the building for use as office
space. |
The depot in Bangor, MI
, also built by the Pere Marquette, is very similar.
A few blocks away, is a nice
display of railroad
equipment, featuring Pere Marquette
1223. |
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