Station: West End, Delray, MI

West End Avenue in Delray was the location of the original Detroit, Toledo & Ironton railroad depot serving the Detroit area. The DT&I came north to this location along the steel mills on the Detroit River (in Ecorse and River Rouge), then across Zug Island (over two bridges) and then back on the mainland north to this location. The DT&I also had a small freight yard here (West End Yard) as well as team tracks.

Nearby, West End Avenue crossed the Union Belt of Detroit. For many years the gates were controlled by a crossing guard in a tower at the crossing.

Location: 42^o17.813'N / 83^o07.014'W.

Notes

Time Line

1921. RAIL TOWER OPERATOR JAILED, DRUNK AT POST. Benjamin Bogucawz, arrested Monday night while he was lying drunk in the signal tower at the railroad crossing on West End avenue, was fined $25 and sentenced to 20 days in the house of correction Tuesday by Judge Cotter. Detectives O'Connel and Steven said they had waited a long time for the gates at the crossing to raise after a train had passed, and they investigated. They said Bogucawz was lying on the floor of the signal tower, drunk, and unable to work the levers operating signals and gates. [DFP-2/2/1921]