Railroad: Marquette and Western Railroad Company

The Marquette and Western railroad was built as a competitor to the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon, from Marquette to Ishpeming. It basically ran parallel to the MH&O. Construction was funded by the owners of the Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette (the line between St. Ignace and Marquette), who had difficulty getting favorable connections and rates from the MH&O. The line existed about 1 year before being sold to the MH&O, and all of it was soon folded into the new Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railway.

Once the line was purchased by the MH&O, it became a 2nd main track between the mines of Negaunee and Ishpeming to the docks at Marquette.

Built → Marquette and Western Railroad → Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon railroad

Built: 1884 - Marquette to Ishpeming.

Operated for 1 year.

Leased: 1885 - to Marquette Houghton & Ontonagon.

Sold: 1890 - to Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

Time Line

1883. October. The Marquette & Western railroad corporation is formed and approved for $1.25 million capitalization. [DFP-1883-1014]

1883. Messrs. Newberry & McMillan, Francis Palms and the group of capitalists known as the George I. Seney Syndicate (who built the Nickel Plate Railroad) have raised a fund of $2 million for the improvements contemplated, and General Manager McCool, of the Marquette & Mackinaw Railroad is now at work superintending the location of the extension from Marquette to Negaunee and Ishpeming, upon which the work grading and construction will begin in about thirty days. "We won't have to borrow a dollar," said Mr. McMillan. "We have got the money all raised and after building the road can issue our securities. That is the way we did the building the Marquette & Mackinaw Railroad. We raised the money, built the road, issued our securities and still hold them."

The distance of the road to be built (the Marquette & Western) from Marquette to the mines is fourteen miles, which with the various little spurs of the line to the several mines makes a total of 17 miles. The country through which is it to be built is very uneven and rocky, and the cost of the work will be upwards of $40,000 per mile.

The benefits to be derived by the gentlemen who have entered into the enterprise might be classed as immediate and prospective. Messrs. Newberry & McMillan have two iron furnaces on the Marquette & Mackinaw, and the extensive wharfs at St. Ignace, besides two or three furnaces on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad. They will also construct extensive ore wharfs at Marquette. It is in handling of ore for these places and for shipment down the lakes that the immediate benefits of the extension to the mines will result.

A meeting will be held today to adopt plans for a mammoth iron ferry boat, prepared by Marine Architect Kirby of this city (Detroit), which will be built at once, and which is intended for the transfer of cars across the Straits of Mackinaw.

The effect of even the probability of building the road in question has been very marked. The people of Marquette being very joyful over the possibility of a relief from a monopoly so long held by the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon railroad company. [DFP-1883-0523]

1884. January. The M&W is laying track rapidly, with rails down for five miles out of Marquette. The terminal facilities of the DM&M will be used at Marquette. The Cleveland ore dock is now in shape and a new dock with greater capacity will be built very near the old dock and at an angle to it. A vessel dock will also be built at its base. The trestle work for crossing of the MH&O at Negaunee is now in process of construction. Land has been bought in the heart of town (Marquette) at the corner of Superior and Front streets, where a passenger station will be erected. It is expected that the whole line with docks and station will be completed and ready to use by May 1. [DFP-1884-0129]

1884. March. The Marquette & Western railroad has reached Negaunee, and the first train has been run over the road. [LCS-1884-0313]

1884. The Marquette & Western extension into Ishpeming is complete, except for the overhead crossing at Negaunee. The entire line will be ready to open June 1. The Ishpeming depot (construction) is also underway. [DFP-1884-0329]

1884. The M&W roundhouse at Ishpeming is well under construction and work has commenced on the depot. The iron bridge for the overhead crossing at Negaunee has arrived and goes into position this week. [DFP-1884-0429]

1884. Line built from Marquette to Ishpeming.

1884. June. Passenger trains will be put on the M&W railroad just as soon as the depot is completed at Ishpeming, which will be about the middle of the present week. [DFP-1884-0630]

1884. July. The M&W will be extended from Ishpeming to Champion, a distance of fifteen miles, immediately. The mines situated between the points named will be supplied with tracks so that they can share in the shipping privileges afforded by the new route. [DFP-1884-0711] Ed. Note: This extension was likely not started.

1885. March. "No, we haven't sold out," said James McMillan when asked about the reported sale of the M&W to the Houghton & Ontonagon. "We have not sold out our road, but we have leased it under a working arrangement in such a manner as to unite the interests of the M&W, MH&O and DM&M (which McMillan and others also own). "The change will benefit both railroads and the upper peninsula as well. Hereafter Detroit men will have a voice in the management of the MH&O. Two members of the Board of Directors will be from Detroit, insuring a representation of Michigan interests", he said. [DFP-1885-0309]

1885. Line sold to the MH&O.

1885. May 21. The MH&O railroad has assumed control of the Marquette and Western. The officers of the former road inspected the latter company's property and settled all details of the transfer. [LCS-1885-0521]

1990. MH&O sold to the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic.