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Take the Train to
Lansing 1897
All Aboard!
 The excursion on the
C. & G.T. railway from Battle Creek and way stations brought between 300 and 400
visitors to the city this morning, nearly all of whom at once took street cars for the
Agricultural College.
Lansing State Republican
August 17, 1897
Most travelers arrived in Lansing by train, the fastest and most comfortable way to
travel in 1897. Lansing's four passenger stations—three near today's downtown and one in
North Lansing—were important stops on the streetcar lines that carried people within the
city. Freight depots bustled with carts and wagons carrying goods.
 Nearly thirty passenger
trains stopped in Lansing each day. By taking an early morning train, city residents could
visit any town within 100 miles and return home the same day.
 Visitors from Williamston look out the windows of a Lansing street railway
car photo mural in the exhibit. The Lansing City Electric Railway Co. had been
incorporated in October 1892. In 1895, the company was reported to have 12 miles of track,
good cars and fine service.
These railroads had passenger and/or freight depots or offices in Lansing in 1897:
- Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway.
Passenger station: corner Washington Ave. and South. The depot, built in 1905, is now a
restaurant.
- Detroit, Grand Rapids & Western Railroad.
Depots: east between Michigan Ave. and Shiawassee; n w corner Franklin and East
- Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad (Lansing Branch).
Depot, foot of Condit; Passenger station: east between Turner and Center
- Lansing, Dexter & Ann Arbor R. R.
Office: 27 Dodge Bldg.
- Lansing, St. Johns & St. Louis Ry.
Office: 12-14 Dodge Blk.
 Michigan Central Railway (Saginaw
Division). Passenger station and freight depot: Michigan Ave. e. The Union Depot was built
in 1902. In the full image of the photo you can see an
electric street railway car to the right of the depot. Now a restaurant, the depot once
boasted an elegant ladies' parlor.
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