This early 20th-century postcard captures a rare moment outside the Pere Marquette Station in Kinde, Michigan—a once-bustling hub for passengers and freight in the Thumb. Lined up beside the tracks are local residents, station workers, and children, pausing for the camera as a Pere Marquette boxcar and a New York Central line car sit ready for loading. A steam-powered tractor and a newly arrived automobile speak to a town at the crossroads of two technological ages—rail and motor.

At its peak, the Kinde depot was essential to the region’s thriving sugar beet industry, helping ship tons of produce from Huron County’s farms to processors across Michigan. The tracks linked this quiet farming town to the broader world, carrying not just crops but also mail, machinery, and opportunity. Today, this image offers a clear-eyed look back at a time when railroads were the heartbeat of small-town life in the Thumb.

The Forlorn Pere Marquette Depot of Harbor Beach

In 1878, the Port Huron and Northwestern Railroad extended track from Port Huron to Sand Beach, aiding local economy. The railroad was crucial for transporting goods and later converted to standard gauge. Accidents and declining use led to discontinuation of rail services in 1995, with the historic depot repurposed for…

In "History"

Marlette Train Depot – Beautifully Restored History

The Marlette Train Depot is a beautiful and well-restored example of a late 1800s rural Michigan railway train station. Today its a historical marker and museum.

In "History"

Bay Port Summer Resort 1894

The 1800s pamphlet promotes Bay Port resort, highlighting transportation via Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, luxurious accommodations, fresh water sources, and recreational activities. It showcases Bay Port's appeal as an accessible summer destination with scenic views and high standards of service.

In "Travel"