Station: Rockland, MI

Rockland was settled about 1853 near the Rockland Mine in Ontonagon County, about twelve miles southeast of Ontonagon. This was a station stop on the Milwaukee Road's O&B branch. Three hamlets - Rosendale, Williamsburg and Webster - all combined with Rockland in 1864. [MPN]

Notes 

Time Line

1877. Rockland Township developed the first telephone system in Michigan, reaching two homes and a general store. [MH-2022-08]

1889. February. The star service (stage coach) between Rockland and Watersmeet has been curtailed to end at Bruce's Crossing, omitting Watersmeet, decreasing distance twenty miles. [DFP-1889-0209]

1918. MILW had a station agent here on the day shift. [TRT]

1943. There was a railroad telephone available for crews in the waiting room of the depot, as well as on a pole 2/5 miles east of Rockland. [ETT-1943]

2011. The railroad line between Rockland and Ontonagon was abandoned by the Escanaba & Lake Superior and the track removed. This was the former O&B branch of the Milwaukee Road. In 2014, the right of way was sold to the Michigan DNR to establish a key trail connection. [Village of Ontonagon]