Station: Sheridan, MI

Sheridan was settled in south central Montcalm County about 1851 with a saw mill located here. The town was incorporated as a village in 1877. [MPN]

This was a crossing of two railroad lines, known as Virgil [MPUC-1919]. The east-west Grand Trunk Western from Ashley to Muskegon crossed the north-south Pere Marquette from Ionia to Edmore.

In the 1870's, the town was served by a mixed passenger and freight train. [I&L]

Photo Info: Top, the GTW Sheridan depot about 1970. [Charlie Whipp collection]. 2nd photo, an old photo of the Sheridan depot in the early part of the 20th century. This appears to be an earlier depot as the roof and window designs are different. [Alan Loftis collection]. 3rd and 4th photos, are 1973 views of the GTW depot. [Both, Greg Bunce]

Notes

Time Line

1881. July. The depot at Sheridan was blown up by burglars last Wednesday evening. The safe was all they wanted to blow open, but in doing so pretty well demolished the whole building. [PO-1881-0608]

1917. The GTW had an agent here during the day shift. [TRT]

1931. The MPUC allows the PM railway to change its station at Sheridan from an agency station to a non-agency station in charge of a care-taker. [MPUC-1931]

Industry

John W. Winsor builds the first saw mill here on the east shore of Bass (Pearl) Lake. It was eventually destroyed by fire. Another mill was built and sold to Charles and George Stanton. 

E. P. Brown shingle mill. Brown was also a director of the Ionia & Stganton Railroad Company.