Interurban and Trolley Lines
There were two interurban lines that used local trolley lines.
The best known today is represented by a pedestrian bridge over the Grand River
ending near Lyon Street
For most of my life it ended at the Civic Auditorium.
1953 Sanborn
This is the station that was there before the Civic was built
according to Bob Kline on his Godwin website.
BobAnna
This same location in the 1883 Sanborn
This same location in the 1853 Henry Hart map
.
From the 1909 City Directory:
Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Muskegon
Cars start form 81 Lyon (old pre-1912 address)
thence west to Canal (renamed Monroe in 1912)
north on Canal (Monroe) to Michigan
thence west on Bridge to Scribner
north on Scribner to Leonard
thence to Grand Haven and Muskegon
Bobannaold 81 corresponds most closely in 1912 to the Norris Bldg at
101-109 Lyon St NW near the corner of Ionia Ave.
Replaced by Association of Commerce Bldg?
This photo shows the train adjacent to the back of the old post office's loading
dock. The train carried and picked up mail then went around
the corner to pick up the passengers.
The 1895 Sanborn shows this waiting room
From the 1909 City Directory
Grand Rapids, Holland and Chicago
Cars start from 75 Market (Old pre-1912 address)
thence south on Market and Ellsworth to Grandville
Southwest on Grandville to City Limits
to Holland, Macatawa Park and Chicago
The 1895 Sanborn shows that 75 Market would have been near
Monroe Avenue but only shows the wrong side of the street.
http://www.atomicobject.com/pages/Wealthy+Street+History
Reeds Lake Railway and Car Barn c. 1901
This building still stands on Wealthy Street near Norwood Ave and is divided into business condos.
1514
Wealthy St from City Assessor
This building still stands and has been incorporated into a newer building on
the corner of Cherry Street and Sheldon Avenue.
My dad went into this building and wouldn't take me with him cause I was a
little girl. He said that the ticket booth and most of the trolley paraphernalia
still existed although distressed.
The 1895 Sanborn shows a stable at this location.
The 1953 Sanborn shows this building with the two additions.
West side edge South Front New building Northeast end Northwest end
close up of the foundation
For some good pictures of the Interurban line see BobAnna