Building the Railroad

BUILDING THE RAILROAD

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In an early 1900s black-and-white postcard, seven men in well-worn work clothes and two men in more formal, black outfits stand in a line across tree lined railroad tracks in winter. A steam engine travels into the distance behind them.

Railroad workers pose on the tracks. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

In 1869 the Kalamazoo & South Haven (K&SH) Railroad incorporated. The company's board of directors hoped that towns along the route would pass taxes in support of the railroad, but most of the planned villages were not yet built. As K&SH struggled to come up with funds to complete the line, Michigan Central (MC) Railroad's president, James F. Joy, authorized the purchase of more than $600,000 in K&SH bonds. His action saved the new railroad and made it MC's first subsidiary line.

In a late 1800s portrait, James F. Joy faces the viewer with a relaxed expression. He has kind eyes, a full beard and thick, graying hair. He wears a dark suit with vest, white shirt and a floppy black bow tie.

James F. Joy. Image Credit: Archives of Michigan

An 1871 black-and-white photograph, a side view of the steam engine Goliath, its cowcatcher facing right. Two men pose beside Goliath; one of them stands on the bottom rim of the coal car and holds on to the engine cab.

Goliah was the first engine on the K&SH line. Image Credit: Appleyard Collection at the Historical Association of South Haven

Time Line

1836: Idea forms to build a railroad between Kalamazoo & South Haven.
1837: A financial panic limits funds, prevents project.
1869: Kalamazoo & South Haven (K&SH) Railroad incorporates, begins construction.
1870: Lack of funds jeopardizes railroad completion.
1879: Michigan Central Railroad (MCR) purchases K&SH bonds, leases route and saves the railroad. K&SH Railroad is MCR's first subsidiary line.
1871: K&SH begins regular train service in January.
1916: K&SH ends as a corporation when conveyed to MCR (a part of New York Central Railroad).
1937: Passenger traffic ends on the K&SH line of MCR.
1968: In a series of mergers and name changes, Penn Central Company (PCC) is formed from the Pennsylvania and New York Central Railroads.
1971: Penn Central Company abandons rail corridor.
1987: Department of Natural Resources buys corridor.

Competing for the Railroad

Wealthy business and community leaders urged the new K&SH Railroad to come through their communities. Gaining access to South Haven's harbor could expand their markets to ports across the Great Lakes and beyond. They were also enthusiastic about the Grand Junction connection with the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, which further expanded the transportation network. Bangor businessman J.H. Nyman unsuccessfully tried to lure K&SH Railroad to his town by promising the company "10,000 in cash, . . . the right of way, and (to) build the depot buildings."

A late 1800s black-and-white photograph of a painting shows a seated James A. B. Stone wearing a black suit, white shirt and black cravat. Head cocked, he has a gentle expression and dark eyes. His black hair and beard highlight his pale complexion.

Kalamazoo Telegraph editor James A.B. Stone exerted influence by printing favorable newspaper articles. He called railroads "good civilizers" and stated that real estate values along the route would double. Image Credit: Archives of Michigan

An 1870s photograph shows a seated Allen Potter wearing a light-colored suit, high-collared white shirt and dark cravat. He has a pleasant closed-mouth smile, bright eyes, receding short brown hair and a graying goatee.

Kalamazoo politician and banker Allen Potter was the first president of the K&SH Railroad. Image Credit: Archives of Michigan

Trip pass from South Haven to Kalamazoo features a repeating gold oval watermark. For engine rider Jay Hurni, the pass was valid June 19 to July 19, and could not be used on trains 3, 13, 17, 18 and 45.

A 1914 Michigan Central Railroad Company trip pass. Image Credit: Sue Hodapp

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