We stumbled upon this depot sitting next to a closed motel parking lot along the side of M-25. It was once the Pere Marquette Depot of Harbor Beach, once a bustling railroad hub now forlorn and almost forgotten. We had to research and find the story about this crumbling depot in the Upper Thumb.
In 1878, the Port Huron and Northwestern Railroad began laying track from Port Huron to Minden City, intending to branch off to Bad Axe and Port Austin. J. Jenks & Co. persuaded the railroad company to extend the track from Minden City to Sand Beach, significantly reducing transportation costs for their products. The original railroad was a narrow 3-foot gauge, which was converted to the standard 4-foot 8 1/2-inch gauge in the early 1900s.
The Railway & Depot Helped The Local Economy Grow
The Pere Marquette Railway Depot in Sand Beach, later known as Harbor Beach, Michigan, boasts an intriguing history. Built in 1882 by the Port Huron & Northwestern Railway (PH&NW), the depot was a vital hub in the region’s narrow gauge railway network. At its peak, the PH&NW was Michigan’s largest narrow gauge railway, connecting various parts of the Thumb area with Port Huron. This network was crucial for transporting goods, particularly agricultural products and lumber, across the region.
A passenger and freight depot was established in the town, and an additional depot was constructed for its guests on the Harbor Beach Resort Association property. A large stockyard was built north of town, near present-day North Park, providing area farmers a place to sell their cattle and ship them by rail. Additionally, a roundhouse was erected north of the city limits.
In 1889, the PH&NW was acquired by the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, which promptly began converting the narrow gauge lines to standard gauge, aligning with broader railway systems. This conversion, completed in the early 1900s, enhanced the efficiency of transportation.
Accidents Plague the Railway
The railway line experienced notable accidents. In 1912, a derailment occurred two miles north of town, involving a locomotive, tender, and freight cars. A second accident in 1915 saw an engine and several cars plunge from the Rock Falls trestle south of town.
In 1986, the Huron & Eastern Railroad purchased the track in the Thumb area. However, by 1995, the railway required costly repairs, and the rising preference for truck transportation led to the discontinuation of rail services in the Harbor Beach area.
The Depot Moved Out Of Town
The depot was subsequently moved and became part of the Train Station Motel on M-25 (S.R. 25), at 2044 North Lakeshore Rd. This relocation preserved a piece of local history, allowing the building to serve the community in a new capacity. However, after the motel was sold, the site, formerly known as Hooks Waterfront Resort, transitioned into a short-term Airbnb rental. The old depot, now in a state of disrepair, is used for storage.
Explore the resources available at the Michigan Railroad History site and other local historical archives for a more detailed history of Michigan’s railroads and specific insights into the Pere Marquette Railway.
Sources
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