Pontiac, Oxford and Northern Railroad and the Legend of The Polly Ann

Local folklore states that the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad (P.O. & N) ran from September 1889 until the last service run of the line’s full length on February 9, 1984.

Nicknamed the “Polly Ann,” or Poor, Old and Neglected, the line was a single-track, standard-gauge, steam railroad, situated entirely within the Thumb Region of Michigan, extending from Pontiac to Caseville for just under 100 miles.

The Michigan Legend – The Polly Ann

Polly Ann Railway Struggle to Survive

In the early 1900’s passengers never reached sufficient numbers to support the line. Aside from Pontiac, the communities being serviced were all sparsely populated. The fertile farmland known for its wheat, bean, and sugar beet crops contributed valuable tonnage to the railroad. It was said that there was always a free bag of beans to be had by the train’s crew whenever they had to layover. The term “out to beans” because synonymous with “out to lunch.” At just under 100 miles of track, the line was absorbed by the Grand Trunk Railway in 1909 for $400,000.

P.O.& N’s Era of Freight and Passenger

During the late 1930’s Oxford had one of the world’s largest gravel mines and was the source of carloads for Grand Trunk Western. This regularly assigned job was known as the “mud run.” The gravel was used for road construction and the runways at nearby Selfridge Air Force Base in Macomb County.

The Polly Ann ended its run at the Caseville Depot, constructed in the early 1880s, was a pivotal hub for transportation and commerce in Caseville, Michigan. Serving as the terminus of the Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad (PO&PA), the depot facilitated the movement of goods and passengers, significantly contributing to the town’s economic growth. The arrival of the railroad in 1881 marked a transformative period, connecting Caseville to larger markets and promoting industries such as lumber, fishing, and salt production. The original rails, manufactured in England by Edgar Thomson Steel in 1881, were transported to Caseville by ship, along with two wood-burning locomotives, underscoring the logistical efforts invested in establishing the town’s rail infrastructure.

Architecturally, the depot was a modest wooden structure, typical of small-town stations of that era. It featured a gabled roof and a sheltered platform where passengers awaited trains and freight was loaded or unloaded. The depot not only served as a transportation nexus but also as a communal gathering spot, witnessing the daily rhythms of Caseville’s residents and visitors. Over time, as transportation evolved and the prominence of rail travel diminished, the depot’s role waned. However, its historical significance remains a testament to the era when railroads were the lifeblood of burgeoning American towns.

Service continued to decline and the “Poor, Old & Neglected” ended its three runs a week mixed-train service in 1955.

Pontaic, Oxford & Northern – The Railway Still Lives On

Today the former industrial railway is now a recreation source—the Polly Ann Trail in Lapeer County. Owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, it is part of the abandoned corridor used by the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad. Local groups host horseback riding, cycling events, nature walks, runs, and charity fundraisers.

Remnants of the Polly Ann Railway

One of the last remnants of the Polly Ann track can still be seen in Caseville right off the main street. The Caseville depot east moved in the 1980s and is now a summer home. The original rail from the railway can be seen at the Caseville municipal park in the center of town.

Related Reading for the Polly Ann

• A Railway Almost Lost in Saginaw Bay
• The Port Hope Depot Restored
• The Polly Ann Trail
• Jackson Train Station – Living History