Railroad: East Jordan & Southern Company

The East Jordan & Southern railroad was built from East Jordan to a connection with the Pere Marquette at Bellaire in 1901. The line was operated for logging, as well as to service industry along south arm of Lake Charlevoix. It was owned by 7 stockholders all from East Jordan, Michigan. The line was abandoned in 1961. [MRL]

Built → East Jordan & Southern railroad → Abandoned

Built: 1901 from East Jordan to Bellaire. (including logging railroads)

Operated for 60 years.

Abandoned: 1961

Reference: [MRRC]

Photo Info: Top, the EJ&S engine and office staff pose for a photo with No. 6 in front of their station at East Jordan [UMB collection]. 2nd photo, an EJ&S train leaving their depot in East Jordan. [Mark Worrall collection]

Notes

Time Line

1902. The railroad operates two mixed trains for the accommodation of the public. They connect with the PM at Bellaire. [MRC-1903]

1903. SNAPSHOT: Albeit small, this line made a profit margin of about 33% in 1903, paying 10% dividends of $25,000 on $250,000 in stock. The owners are likely affiliated with the East Jordan Lumber Company. The railroad employed 6 enginemen, 3 firemen, 1 conductor, 2 other trainmen, 3 shopmen, 17 section foremen and laborers for a line which was 19.2 miles in length with 9 miles of sidings and spurs. There were 7 stations along the line. The railroad owned 4 locomotives, 3 passenger and baggage cars, 132 platform cars and 112 "Burrell" logging cars.

1945. Passenger Service Ends. In the matter of the application of the East Jordan and Southern Railroad Company (to the MPSC) for permission to discontinue passenger, mail and express service between East Jordan and Bellaire, Michigan. File No. D-3459.

Application was filed on November 5, 1945, by the East Jordan and Southern Railroad Company, through its President and General Manager, H. P. Porter, for permission to discontinue passenger, mail and express service between East Jordan, Michigan, and Bellaire, Michigan.

After due notice, this matter was brought on for a hearing, consideration and determination before the Commission on the 16th day of November, 1945, in the City Hall, East Jordan, Michigan, at which time H. P. Porter, President and General Manager for the East Jordan and Southern Railroad Company, appeared for the applicant. No appearances were made against said application. The Commission, after due consideration of the testimony and exhibit presented in said matter, FINDS AND Holds that the amount of revenue received from passenger, mail and express service does not warrant the further continuance of passenger service between East Jordan and Bellaire, and therefore said application should be granted. THEREFORE, It Is HEREBY ORDERED by the Michigan Public Service Commission that permission shall be, and authority is, hereby granted to the East Jordan and Southern Railroad Company to discontinue the operation of passenger, mail and express service between East Jordan, Michigan, and Bellaire, Michigan, said passenger, mail and express service to be discontinued only after proper arrangements have been made with the United States Post Office Department and the Railway Express Agency for the handling of mail and express by other means. [MPSC-1945]