The Coming of the Railroad and Its Impact on Charlevoix

Charlevoix was the last of the major northern Michigan communities to get a railroad, and when it did arrive on June 26, 1892, the town changed immediately and forever. Travel time to and from Chicago was reduced from 40 hours (by boat) to 13.5 hours overnight. The weekend commute for two full days of vacation time was instituted. Industries began to spring up immediately, increasing the employment base. Very large hotels appeared on the scene to meet increased demand. No longer would the town have to weather the winter when Lake Michigan ice could freeze commercial contact with the outside world for up to four months, at times imperiling the food supply. Travel to and from Charlevoix was now possible twelve months a year. Charlevoix soon grew into increasing importance as one of the most essential resort and commercial hubs in the Midwest. I’ll talk about the circumstances of how railroad arrived here, the sometimes traumatic events that accompanied its coming, then discuss the above mentioned, and end with the decline beginning in the 1940s and how it was finally phased out, concluding with an overview of the Depot and how we are so lucky to have it, now on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995. Presented by David Miles.