Railroad: Fort Wayne, Jackson and Saginaw Railroad Company, The

The Fort Wayne, Jackson and Saginaw was one of several short line railroads promoted by Jackson businessmen in the late 1860’s and 1870’s. The line was built south from Jackson to Fort Wayne, Indiana via Jonesville and Reading. They may have initially intended to connect with the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw in Jackson which had overlapping directors. The FWJ&S was not profitable and was unable to make its bond payments. After only 9 years, it was reorganized and “Saginaw” was dropped from its name. Still under local control, and after a brief flirtation with the Grand Trunk, Vanderbilt’s Lake Shore & Michigan Southern leased and gained control of the line, blocking the GT as a cross state rival. After LSMS control, the line was controlled out of Hillsdale and it became a minor branch line.

Built → Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw Railroad → Fort Wayne & Jackson Railroad

Built: 1870 from Jackson south to Fort Wayne, IN

Operated: 9 years.

Became: FW&J in 1879.

Reference: [MRRC]+[DFP] and others.

Notes

This railroad originally had its own depot in Jackson, on the north side of the Michigan Central main line at Johnson Street. The FWJ&S crossed the MC at grade here, which may have been the origin of the name Jackson Junction. This would have been around 1870. Within a short period of time, they began using MC's union station and the crossing was eliminated. A 1878 Sanborn fire insurance map no longer shows a depot at  this location. [SBM]

FWJ&S president Peter Loomis’ family gave his home estate at N. East Avenue at Detroit Street for building of W. A. Foote Hospital, now Henry Ford Jackson Hospital. East of here the family grounds near Michigan Avenue west of Elm Street became a municipal park, which continues to exist today.  Loomis was initially a storekeeper, banker, railroad man and an elected official in the community  

Time Line

1868. Officials from the JL&S, including H.H. Smith, begin to agitate to Hillsdale and Jonesville leaders about extending their line south from Jackson to Fort Wayne. This project was soon implemented by the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw railroad which had some overlapping directors with the JL&S. [LSJ-1868-1105]

1868. The line of this road, an extension of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad has been located, and crosses the Michigan Southern railroad at Jonesville. The route by this place is shorter than by the way of Hillsdale, while the grading is much lighter. The contract for grading will be let in a few days and will commence without delay. We expect to see cars running from Jackson to Fort Wayne next summer. [LSJ-1868-1217]

1870. The Fort Wayne Road was completed December 25, 1870; financial default occurred on January 1, 1874; was sold under foreclosure December 3, 1879, for account of the bondholders, and was reorganized January 1, 1880 as the Fort Wayne & Jackson Railroad.  [DFP-1882-0905]

1870. The FWJ&S builds a station north of the MC main line at Johnson Street. This station was used for three years when passenger operations were moved to the new Union station. This move eliminated the MC/FWJI&S crossing. [HGJ]

1873. Charles Lewis, a fireman on the accommodation train on the FWJ&S went out on the engine to oil up while a fair rate of speed was being maintained, when the train was suddenly slackened, and he was thrown off in front and killed. (Location not stated). [CAS-1873-1016[

1874. January 1. The railroad defaults on its bonds. [DFP-1882-0905] James Joy, a Detroit attorney and President of the MCRR was involved in the line.

1874. The Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw operates three passenger trains south from Jackson. Two are through trains to Fort Wayne and ultimately to Louisville. A third train, the Angola Accommodation goes to Angola. All three trains return to Jackson. [NDEM-1874-0214]

1878. August 30. Peter Loomis, a Jackson businessman and President of the FWJ&S, visits Montreal to meet with officials of the Grand Trunk railroad. Their idea is to extend the GT to Jackson on the Michigan Air Line east route, and then purchase the FWJ&S line from Jackson to Auburn, IN and the B&O line into Chicago. The deal was never completed. [PHTH-1878-0830]

1879. Sixteen tramps attempted to "run" the engine house of the FWJ&S railroad at Jackson Monday, but were captured by Jackson officers who were called upon for the purpose. [PHTH-1879-0219]

1879. In a patent medicine advertisement in the Detroit Free Press, H.A. Raymond, the Jackson-based Auditor for the FWJ&S writes "I have been using your Cuticura for Scalp Head, and it has cured me when all medicines that I have taken for nine years did me no good. I now am using it as a hair dressing but my head is well. It keeps the hair in very nice condition". [DFP-1879-0419]

1879. August 3. At Indianapolis, IN, a decree of foreclosure against the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw road was entered in the United States Court in favor of James F. Joy. The property will be sold within two months. [DFP-1879-0803]

1879. August 5. Peter B. Loomis, President of the FWJ&S says in reference to the foreclosure against the FWJ&S, James F. Joy and John N. Denison, trustees for the bond holders: "The road is operated by its owners who will be its purchasers at the sale. A voluntary reorganization upon the basis of a circular issued by me and having the approval of three-fourths of the bondholders, failed for want of prompt action of the remainder. The road has been, and will continue to be an independent organization and will be extended to Pontiac to connect with the Grand Trunk, therefore the necessity for the sale, which will take place as soon as possible. Ten months since the manager offered to confess judgment and promote the sale in the briefest possible time. The delays are not caused by the owners, who wished the road to be sold". [DFP-1879-0805]

1879. The FWJ&S extending from Jackson to Fort Wayne will all its appurtenances will be sold at auction at Jackson on December 3. [PHTH-1879-0904]

1880. After some speculation that the road would be sold to the Wabash, the newly organized Fort Wayne and Jackson railroad company has been organized. The company has selected Samuel Sloan of New York as President, indicating Vanderbilt involvement. [DFP-1880-0122]