I realize I’m coming late to this discussion, but this is my understanding of events.
Two very obscure railroads are involved. On 21 Sept. 1893 the Midland & Hubbard RR was formed to own a line from Midland to Hubbard. On 17 Jan. 1894 the Midland & Northern Ry was formed to own a line Hubbard north to the Kawkawlin River. Hubbard is located in section 12 of Larkin Township (T15N R2E). Roy L. Dodge’s book Michigan Ghost Towns has more about Hubbard itself.
Between June and December 1894 the M&N built a 10-mile line between Hubbard and Midland. It started near the center of Hubbard and went due south, a half mile east of and parallel to Waldo Rd. It crossed the MC’s Midland Branch at the curve north of Bay City Rd. and curved to the west on the present line. Just where the end of the line was I can not say. The Michigan Commissioner of Railroads states the M&H line was built in 1892, crossed the MC Midland branch as mentioned, and also crossed the Flint & Pere Marquette, but does not say where that crossing was.
In June 1894 the M&H was leased to the M&N for a rental of $1.00 per year. The lease was for the M&H right of way; the M&N laid the tracks. Dodge says the line wasn’t much of a success. The Railroad Commissioner report for 1897 states the M&H and M&N agreed to modify the lease so that it would end on 1 October 1899. The Railroad Commissioner report for 1899 states the two had ceased to exist. Dodge states the line was abandoned in October 1899.
I can’t find any mention of the MC buying a part of the M&H. Neither the Railroad Commissioner nor the Michigan Central’s annual report mentions it. Yet it certainly appears that the MC did buy the part south of their diamond and very likely it was to reach the Dow Chemical Co. that was formed in 1897 along the river.
GMM
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