Saginaw, MI - Pere Marquette Belt Line Customers in 1901

In 1888, the Flint & Pere Marquette constructed the Saginaw Belt Line, around the west and south side of Saginaw. [MRL]. The line left the PM Saginaw-Ludington main line just west of Mershon interlocking, going south. After branching off, the Belt crossed the large Union Park Race Course with its paddocks for horses and large grandstand. There was a passing track here and in the early days, trains may have brought spectators here.

One surprise was a fairly large PM passenger station and freight house at Court Street. This served PM passenger trains which used the Belt on a scheduled basis in the early days.

Another surprise was the Chapple & Fordney Coal Mine at the SE corner of Division and Moore streets. This was a "full-fledged" underground coal mine with shaft, power plant, dryhouse for miners and other support buildings. Today, this site is in the City of Saginaw in a residential neighborhood, and underneath the Jerome Elementary School.

After several miles, the Belt Line crossed the Michigan Central railroad (former JL&S) at Fordney, and turned east, crossing the Saginaw River on a drawbridge. The crossing at Fordney was interlocked with a tower. The Belt Line had two or three short passing tracks.

The customers on this line in 1901 are listed below, divided into two sections.

In the Fordney area, the Michigan Central (former J&LS) had spurs to some of the same industrial business in this area. East of the river, the CS&M (later Grand Trunk Western) served many of the same customers along the PM Belt. The GTW Saginaw freight yard was also located nearby, as well as the GTW roundhouse near Euclid Avenue.

West of Saginaw River, north to south (junction on PM Main Line west of Mershon)

• Union Park Race Course (passing siding here)
• Barber Asphalt Paving Co.
• J. M Roths - oil dealer
• Pere Marquette Belt Line Passenger Depot and Freight House (NW Corner of Court and Woodbridge)
• Chapple & Fordney Coal Mine (SE Corner of Division and Moore)
• Thomas Jackson & Co. - manufacturer of lumber, shingles, doors, etc.
• Independent Chemical Co. - manufacturer of heavy chemicals and salt
• F. G. Palmerton Woodenware - manufacturer of tubs, pails, etc.
• Drawbridge (near Fordney)

East of Saginaw River (from river eastbound)

• R. R. Simpson Lumber Yard - salt
• Tindle & Jackson Heading Mill (spur south of drawbridge)
• J. T. Wylie & Co. hoops, staves and head-liner mill (spur south of drawbridge)
• Saginaw Water Works - receives coal deliveries
• George M. Brown Lumber Co. (east belt line)
• Furstenberg Brothers & Co. lumber yard