Grand Rapids and Lake Shore Railroad

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The Grand Rapids and Lake Shore Railroad Company was organized to build a railroad from Grand Rapids to Pentwater, Michigan. The corporation was organized by Lowell Hall and other Grand Rapids businessmen. [1] Track was completed between Nunica and Muskegon in 1870.

Grand Rapids, Michigan City in Michigan, United States

Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan, and the largest city in West Michigan. It is on the Grand River about 30 miles (48 km) east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 1,005,648, and the combined statistical area of Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland had a population of 1,321,557. Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County.

Pentwater, Michigan Village in Michigan, United States

Pentwater is a village in Oceana County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 857 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Pentwater Township. Pentwater is home to Mears State Park. The name Pentwater comes from Pent or Penned up waters. The entrance to the channel is notoriously shallow and for many years dictated the size of vessels that the village was able to accommodate.

In Nunica, the line connected to the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad (D&M). Running rights on the D&M allowed trains to operate between Grand Rapids and Muskegon, via Fruitport. [2]

In late 1870, the Grand Rapids & Lake Shore was absorbed into the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad (C&MLS), [3] which was building a line north from New Buffalo. In December, 1870, regular service between Grand Rapids and Muskegon was begun, under the C&MLS name.

The Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad (C&MLS) is a defunct railroad which operated in Michigan between 1869 and 1878, and as the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad until 1881.

New Buffalo, Michigan City in Michigan, United States

New Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,883 at the 2010 census.

In 1871, the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore completed its line between Holland and Nunica. This line crossed the Grand River at Spoonville, and continued north to the connection in Nunica.

Holland, Michigan City in Michigan, United States

Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River.

Notes

  1. Grand Rapids Democrat 1869
  2. Grand Rapids Democrat 1870
  3. Percival p.277

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