The Michigan Central Railroad began serving Ann Arbor in 1839; but in 1878 James Ashley brought competition to local rail service by inaugurating the Toledo and Ann Arbor Railroad. In gratitude, the city renamed the former Second Street as Ashley Street. Through a convoluted history of expansion and re-namings this entity ultimately became the Ann Arbor Railroad, with track connecting Toledo to the rail-ferry docks of Elberta, Michigan, and thus to Wisconsin and beyond. Today's Ann Arbor Railroad is the southernmost remnant of this line, with ownership of the tracks ending at a siding just north of town.
For specific historical eras of the Ann Arbor Railroad see also
- Toledo, Ann Arbor and Grand Trunk Railway
- Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railroad
- Michigan Railroad Map of 1876
- Map showing the Toledo, Ann Arbor, and Grand Trunk Railway and its connections, 1881
An Ann Arbor Railroad caboose has been restored by the Railroad Historical Society of Northwest Michigan and is on tracks in Traverse City. Grand Traverse Herald News story.
The Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association has a detailed collection online, and has deposited partial archives of the company at the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University.
A RAILROAD FIGHT :The Town of Howell All Torn up by Rival Companies. A WARRANT SWORN OUT AGAINST MANAGER ASHLEY FOR OBSTRUCTING THE MAILS. Gov. Alger Declines to Order Out the Troops for Mr... Detroit Free Press (1858-1922). 1886 Jan 5 4. In: ProQuest Historical Newspapers Detroit Free Press (1831-1922) . Available from: http://www.proquest.com/; Document ID: 1721629292.
Sources
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