Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad (C&MLS) is a defunct railroad which operated in Michigan
between 1869 and 1878, and as the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad until 1881.
The C&MLS was chartered in 1869 and commenced construction of a 27 miles (43.5 km) line between New Buffalo
and St. Joseph
, which opened on February 1, 1870. The line was extended to Grand Junction on February 28, 1871, Montague
on July 1, 1871, and Pentwater
on January 1, 1872, for a running length of 169.8 miles (273.3 km). The New Buffalo–Holland
and Muskegon
–Pentwater sections were owned directly by the C&MLS, and it had running rights from the Michigan Lake Shore Railroad
(MLS) over the Holland–Muskegon section. The portion north of Muskegon was built by the Montague, Pentwater and Manistee Railroad.
At the same time, the C&MLS was constructing two branch lines: Holland–Grand Rapids
(built by the Grand Rapids and Holland Railroad), which opened on January 1, 1872, and Muskegon–Big Rapids
(built by the Muskegon and Big Rapids Railroad), which opened on July 21, 1873.
Faced with falling revenues and a large debt load the C&MLS went into receivership
toward the end of 1876, and remained in that state until reorganized as the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad on December 28, 1878. The C&WM continued to operate the network until it was consolidated with other companies into the Chicago and West Michigan Railway
on September 1, 1881.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
between 1869 and 1878, and as the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad until 1881.
The C&MLS was chartered in 1869 and commenced construction of a 27 miles (43.5 km) line between New Buffalo
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
and St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Michigan
St. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
, which opened on February 1, 1870. The line was extended to Grand Junction on February 28, 1871, Montague
Montague, Michigan
Montague is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,407. The city is located within Montague Township, but is politically independent....
on July 1, 1871, and Pentwater
Pentwater, Michigan
Pentwater is a village in Oceana County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 958 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Pentwater Township. Pentwater is home to Mears State Park. The name Pentwater comes from Pent or Penned up waters...
on January 1, 1872, for a running length of 169.8 miles (273.3 km). The New Buffalo–Holland
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
and Muskegon
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
–Pentwater sections were owned directly by the C&MLS, and it had running rights from the Michigan Lake Shore Railroad
Michigan Lake Shore Railroad
The Michigan Lake Shore Railroad is a defunct railroad which operated in the state of Michigan between 1869 and 1878, and as the Grand Haven Railroad until 1881....
(MLS) over the Holland–Muskegon section. The portion north of Muskegon was built by the Montague, Pentwater and Manistee Railroad.
At the same time, the C&MLS was constructing two branch lines: Holland–Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
(built by the Grand Rapids and Holland Railroad), which opened on January 1, 1872, and Muskegon–Big Rapids
Big Rapids, Michigan
Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,849. It is the county seat of Mecosta County. The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but is politically independent.-Geography:...
(built by the Muskegon and Big Rapids Railroad), which opened on July 21, 1873.
Faced with falling revenues and a large debt load the C&MLS went into receivership
Receivership
In law, receivership is the situation in which an institution or enterprise is being held by a receiver, a person "placed in the custodial responsibility for the property of others, including tangible and intangible assets and rights." The receivership remedy is an equitable remedy that emerged in...
toward the end of 1876, and remained in that state until reorganized as the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad on December 28, 1878. The C&WM continued to operate the network until it was consolidated with other companies into the Chicago and West Michigan Railway
Chicago and West Michigan Railway
The Chicago and West Michigan Railway is a defunct railroad which operated in the state of Michigan between 1881 and 1899. It was one of the three companies which merged to become the Pere Marquette Railway....
on September 1, 1881.