| In 1865 the Michigan Central bought the Jackson, Lansing
and Saginaw Railroad Company which was struggling to complete a line linking
the named cities. By 1871, under MC ownership, the road was completed as
far as Bay City, and by 1873 extended through Grayling, to Gaylord. In 1881
it was completed to Mackinaw City. This gave the Michigan Central access
not only to Lansing, Saginaw and Bay city, but also to the lumber region
of northern Michigan.
As the lumber boom ran its course, the Michigan Central
needed new traffic for its Mackinaw Division and so promoted travel to the
resort areas of northern Michigan. By 1903 scheduled trains increased to
six as tourism to the Straits developed. The MCRR promoted Northern Michigan
as "curative of hayfever, asthma, bronchial and lung affections.
The present Grayling depot was built in 1882. The large
building was more than a depot. It also housed crew quarters, a hotel and
a restaurant.
The depot is now in use as the Crawford County Historical
Museum. It is open from 10-4, six days a week, Monday through Saturday from
Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is staffed by volunteers who supplement
the displays with their knowledge of the county's history. Admission is $1.50
per person. For more information, call (517) 348-4461. |
