Detroit & Cleveland Steamer at Lexington Dock
This historic photograph captures a Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company (D&C) steamer docked at Lexington, Michigan on the shores of Lake Huron. The D&C steamers were part of a major passenger and freight transportation network that connected Michigan cities with Great Lakes ports in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The State of New York, as seen in the image, was one of the steamers operated by the D&C Navigation Company. These ships provided vital transportation before automobiles and highways became widespread, linking Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, and other Great Lakes ports. Lexington, once a bustling lumber port, relied on these steamers for trade and travel, making it an important stop along the route. The presence of wooden pilings in the foreground suggests the remnants of an older pier, possibly from Lexington’s peak as a lumber and shipping hub in the 1800s.
The D&C steamers were known for their luxurious accommodations, offering fine dining, live entertainment, and comfortable cabins for travelers. However, with the rise of automobiles, railroads, and eventually air travel, passenger steamship travel declined, and the company ceased operations in the 1950s. Today, images like this serve as a reminder of Michigan’s rich maritime history and the essential role that steamer travel played in the region’s development.
