| The railroad through Birmingham is among the oldest
routes in Michigan. The Detroit and Pontiac Railroad was chartered in 1834.
Construction started a few years later, and by August 1838, the line was
operating into Birmingham. Over the years, the line went through a number
of name changes and reorganizations, emerging in the late 1920's as part
of the Grand Trunk Railroad.
At about the same time, automobile traffic had increased
to the point that the state had to rebuild Woodward Avenue, which paralleled
the Grand Trunk Tracks. To make room for the new road, the tracks were relocated
a mile to the east.
A new English Tudor style depot was completed in 1931. It
had brick walls and a Vermont slate roof. The railroad moved out in 1978
and the old depot became a restaurant. |
