raymond - 2004-10-07 08:05:44
If you want to see some tracks go over to Morgan Road west of Platt in Pittsfield Twp. There may even be some right-of-way evidence where the line crossed the Toledo/AA tracks (of which the next southern point was Urania, mental and incarceration capital). The Ypsi line stopped at Manchester Junction. There's a converted-to-path right-of-way through the swamps and Raisin River headwaters over in Norvell which I wonder was part of the line.* * * * * * * * * * * *
Also, puppeteer Meredith Bixby's work was housed in the Saline depot for a while after developers threw him out of the Saline Opera House downtown and before he built his own storage building behind his house.
Coincidentally, Mister Kinley of Phoenix Construction and Riverside Arts Center now owns the building where the Saline Opera House was. And Bixby was born in the 300 block of Pearl Street in Ypsi in the same year that the Masonic (RAC) building was started, 1905, a year during which Professor Knees and his marionettes played at the Ypsi Opera House.
Meanwhile, I wonder if Pres Willis of EMU jogs on the path behind his bungalow.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 09:23:29
Raymond, lots of interesting information here; thank you!
I checked where Norvell was; it's near Napoleon, just west of Manchester. That would be the right area, all right--raymond, you just gave me a great idea a la the "abandoned cemeteries" trip: an "abandoned railroad" trip. Wowee. That would be really interesting. I had better get some old maps together.
Urania? Hmm...Google is mighty quiet on the intriguing subjects you mention. But, anyways, thanks for giving me so much info, raymond.* * * * * * * * * * * * Caveat - 2004-10-07 10:08:50
I tried to find out how the line entered town--a branch off the Michigan Central is my best guess. But just a guess.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-07 15:01:47
"THE DETROIT HILLSDALE AND SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY "A reorganization, January 30, 1875 of the Detroit, Hillsdale and Indiana Railroad company. The line of this company from Ypsilanti to Bankers, Michigan, 64-74 miles, was leased to the Lake Shore and Michigan Souther Railway Company (LSMS or LS&MS), in perpetuity, July 1, 1881. Lease dated September 5, 1881."* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-10-07 15:08:52
Very interesting...wonder why it was "reorganized." Tiny short little line. You always dig up the interesting stuff, Raymond--thank you.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-07 15:50:30
Tried to post this, and when clicked "done" went to a page which was blank save "nope" in the upper left corner. Weird.
Anyway, I'm astounded to have just seen the LSMS right-of-way shown on present Washtenaw County maps. Been running Netscape which sometimes balks at Java so will try later with Explorer. I've seen the line on old paper maps and have seen physical remnants of station and track, but am amazed to see it on current documents in cyber-now-space.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-08 17:21:49
Am unable to print or save to file county maps which show the line from Ypsi through Saline. Still find it bizarre to see it on current maps.
While driving to and from a memorial tree-planting at EMU today noted clear remnants of the grade on the west side of Huron as it shoots off between the derelict factories. From Lowell see a few old railroad ties scattered. No time to stop to look for track, connectors, or spikes.
Hard to say if the heap of dirt parellel to the road between EMU dorms and the subdivision running into the path south of Fletcher school is a modern berm or old grade. Didn't venture far into brambles to look for old gravel bed. Dressed soberly in memory of dear departed friend and colleage. And what would those subdividians have thought of a man flailing suspiciously in the brush and prodding at the packed soil with a sharp stick?* * * * * * * * * * * * brett - 2004-10-09 12:50:09
the line ends at the old geer factory, where the ypsi school bus depot is now. If you walk by you can see where the second line from depot town ends abruptly, and would have cut due east from there. * * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-09 18:53:00
With IExplorer you can zoom in to a href="http://www.umich.edu/~xray/rrcutoff.jpg"> enlarge this image.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-09 18:57:47
yes, I left off a "<", but you can cut and paste. is a biggish file. next larger view (if i capture one) i'll resize.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-10 14:47:08
Perhaps the Hive Mind prevents us from seeing the old LSMS line from Ypsi through Saline. Or aliens mask it. Washtenaw County sees the track clearly.
Pity those of us with dial-up.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-10 14:49:26
oops.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-10-10 14:50:41
did I successfully unbold the type?* * * * * * * * * * * * Wow! - 2004-10-10 14:53:47
Oh, my gosh! What a beautiful map! So nice I'm just going to post it here again--thanks so much, Raymond! (where on earth did you find this, if I may ask? Do they have other RR maps?) -Y.
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Yes, you've unboldened it successfully as you see--and yes, dialup is such a joy with big images. That's why I keep a bunch of magazines by my desk...to read while things download...* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: