In May 1913, Cass City, Michigan, became the starting point of a new rail era. The Detroit and Huron Railroad was under construction, linking Cass City with Bad Axe across roughly 18 miles of Michigan’s Thumb. For farmers and merchants alike, this line promised faster transport, new opportunities, and a stronger connection to markets across the state.
Building the Detroit and Huron Railroad
Photos from the time show laborers standing on flatcars as steam locomotives powered the effort. Construction began in earnest in 1912, and by September 28, 1913, the Detroit and Huron Railroad was officially open. With grain, livestock, and goods moving along the track, Cass City gained a new lifeline to the wider world.
Grand Trunk Western Control
Though it carried its own name, the Detroit and Huron Railroad was operated by Grand Trunk Western from the outset. It remained nominally independent until November 1, 1928, when it was fully absorbed into the GTW system. For decades, it served as a quiet branch line, handling mixed freight and modest passenger service between Cass City and Bad Axe.
Decline and the Last Train
Desc:By the mid-20th century, the Detroit and Huron Railroad was losing traffic to highways and competing railroads. On April 30, 1951, the last scheduled train ran from Cass City to Bad Axe, powered by GTW locomotive No. 5038. Soon after, the line was abandoned, leaving only traces of its right-of-way across the Thumb.
For Cass City in 1913, the Detroit and Huron Railroad was more than steel and ties—it was progress, linking small towns to the modern economy and shaping daily life in Michigan’s Thumb.
