Detroit and Mackinac Railway
Encyclopedia
The Detroit and Mackinac Railway , informally known as the "Turtle Line", was a railroad operating in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The main line stretched from the southern hub at Bay City
, to its northern hub at Cheboygan
. It operated from 1894 to 1992.
The Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad, a short line operating from Bay City northward to the Lake Huron
port of Alpena
, was reorganized into the Detroit and Mackinac (D & M) on December 17, 1894. During the late 1890s and the first decade of the Twentieth Century, the timber resources of northeastern Michigan were fully utilized and the D & M expanded its trackage northward from Alpena to Cheboygan. The line prospered, and even built a stone passenger depot in Harrisville
. The D & M also built many spur lines into tracts of adjacent timberland. One spur, in service for many years, served the limestone quarries of Rogers City
.
In March, 1976, the Detroit & Mackinac reached its maximum extent, purchasing a combination of trackage and operating trackage rights from the remains of the bankrupt Penn Central that created an alternate main line from Bay City northward, through Gaylord
and Cheboygan, to Mackinaw City
.
However, adverse economic conditions continued to affect railroad operations in the northeastern United States. The Detroit & Mackinac sold itself to the Lake State Railway
Company in 1992, and ended its existence as an independent railroad.
A collection of D&M artifacts, including a 1920's switching engine, are housed at the depot in Lincoln, Michigan
. The stone depot in Standish, Michigan
is also a museum, with rolling stock.
The Detroit & Mackinac called itself the "Turtle Line" and its logo symbol was "Mackinac Mac". The railroad bore the hostile backronym
of "Defeated & Maltreated".
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
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"....
. The main line stretched from the southern hub at Bay City
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
, to its northern hub at Cheboygan
Cheboygan, Michigan
Cheboygan is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,295. It is the county seat of Cheboygan County....
. It operated from 1894 to 1992.
The Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad, a short line operating from Bay City northward to the Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
port of Alpena
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
, was reorganized into the Detroit and Mackinac (D & M) on December 17, 1894. During the late 1890s and the first decade of the Twentieth Century, the timber resources of northeastern Michigan were fully utilized and the D & M expanded its trackage northward from Alpena to Cheboygan. The line prospered, and even built a stone passenger depot in Harrisville
Harrisville, Michigan
Harrisville is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alcona County. The population was 493 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Harrisville Township, but is administratively autonomous...
. The D & M also built many spur lines into tracts of adjacent timberland. One spur, in service for many years, served the limestone quarries of Rogers City
Rogers City, Michigan
-Commercial airports:The nearest commercial airports are Alpena County Regional Airport an Cherry Capital Airport -US Highway Business Loops:* BUS US 23-Intercounty Highways:* F-21-Demographics:...
.
In March, 1976, the Detroit & Mackinac reached its maximum extent, purchasing a combination of trackage and operating trackage rights from the remains of the bankrupt Penn Central that created an alternate main line from Bay City northward, through Gaylord
Gaylord, Michigan
Gaylord is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,681. It is the county seat of Otsego County. The city is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord; it is by far the smallest settlement serving as the location of an active Roman...
and Cheboygan, to Mackinaw City
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census the population was 859. The name "Mackinaw City" is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually a village...
.
However, adverse economic conditions continued to affect railroad operations in the northeastern United States. The Detroit & Mackinac sold itself to the Lake State Railway
Lake State Railway
Lake State Railway is a railroad operating in the northeast quadrant of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The railroad moves large quantities of aggregate and limestone....
Company in 1992, and ended its existence as an independent railroad.
A collection of D&M artifacts, including a 1920's switching engine, are housed at the depot in Lincoln, Michigan
Lincoln, Michigan
Lincoln is a village in Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 364 at the 2000 census. The village is situated on the boundary between Gustin Township on the south and Hawes Township on the north and is approximately evenly divided between them...
. The stone depot in Standish, Michigan
Standish, Michigan
Standish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
is also a museum, with rolling stock.
The Detroit & Mackinac called itself the "Turtle Line" and its logo symbol was "Mackinac Mac". The railroad bore the hostile backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
of "Defeated & Maltreated".
External links
- Detroit and Mackinac Railway Historical Society home page
- Detroit and Mackinac Railway photographs and history.
- Detroit and Mackinac Railway System Map.
Further reading
- Wakeman, George L., My Story of the Detroit & Mackinac Railroad Library of MichiganLibrary of MichiganThe Library of Michigan and Historical Center is a state-run library and historical center located in Lansing, Michigan. The current building opened in 1989....
, Lansing, 1940.
See also
- Harrisville, MichiganHarrisville, MichiganHarrisville is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alcona County. The population was 493 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Harrisville Township, but is administratively autonomous...
-- stone depot - Lincoln, MichiganLincoln, MichiganLincoln is a village in Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 364 at the 2000 census. The village is situated on the boundary between Gustin Township on the south and Hawes Township on the north and is approximately evenly divided between them...
-- wooden depot museum, with rolling stock -- switch engine and caboose - Standish, MichiganStandish, MichiganStandish is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,581. It is the county seat of Arenac County.The town was platted by John D. Standish in 1871...
-- stone depot museum, with rolling stock