Railroad: Detroit, Hillsdale & South Western Railroad Company, The

Detroit Hillsdale & Indiana railroad → Detroit Hillsdale & South Western railroad → Lake Shore & Michigan Southern

Reorganized: 1875

Operates for: 6 years.

Became: LS&MS in 1881. Then to the Michigan Central in 1961 and cut back at Bridgewater.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

This line, from Ypsilanti to Bankers, near Hillsdale, is 64.76 miles long with 4.52 miles of sidings and spurs.

Time Line

1880. May 27. Extension of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern Railroad. At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern Railroad Friday, it was resolved to extend the road from Bankers to LaGrange, Ind., forty-two miles, the present summer and fall. The road will pass at or near Hall's Corners, Branch Co.; Orland, Ind., and other points. A meeting is called in LaGrange where the citizens of that place and vicinity will meet the officers of the road, and discuss the matter of aid in the extension.

This is a grand opportunity for another outlet from Hillsdale west, and the citizens of Hillsdale should not let it pass unheeded. Aid and encouragement to this extension at this time would be of great importance to our city. - Hillsdale Standard via [DFP].  [Note: This extension was never built. The line ended at Bankers, which is southwest of Hillsdale. The portion of the line between Hillsdale and Bankers was transferred to the Lake Shore's Fort Wayne-Jackson branch]

1881. September 5. This railroad is leased to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern in perpetuity with an annual rental of $40,000 to be paid until July ,1883 and $54,000 per annum thereafter, payable semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st. The lessee is also to pay $500 per annum for organization expenses. [MCR-1904]

1882. The LS&MS will take up the track of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern between Hillsdale and Bankers, and re-lay it, connecting with the Fort Wayne and Jackson about midway between Jonesville and Bankers. [PHTH-1882-1030]