Station: Eaton Rapids, MI

Eaton Rapids was settled in southeast Eaton County in 1838 along a rapids on the Grand River. It was incorporated as a village in 1859 and a city in 1881. [MPN]

Two railroads crossed each other at Eaton Rapids. The Grand River Valley (later Michigan Central Grand Rapids branch) came through from Jackson in 1868, and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Lansing branch was built through town five years later in 1873.

Photo info: Top, a railroad valuation view of the Eaton Rapids depot, about 1919. [CMUL]. 2nd photo, a turn-of-the-century photo of the Michigan Central station at Eaton Rapids. 3rd photo, another view of the depot with a passenger train stopped in front. 4th photo, another photo of the MC station with an approaching train. [Robert McNeill collection].

5th and 6th are photographs of the MC depot in 2002 and 2007. [Alan Loftis].

Notes

Time Line

1867. The village is reached by stage from Rives (Junction) on the JL&S. [DFP-1867-0119]

1868. The Grand Rapids branch was opened providing the first rail service to Eaton Rapids.

1873. The Lansing branch was built through town here.

1877. August. The Eaton Rapids Robbers Sentenced - Charlotte, Aug. 1. - George Croke and Frank Daily, who committed the robbery at the Eaton Rapids depot Sunday morning, were sentenced by Judge  Van Zile this morning, Croke to thirty-five and Daily to twenty-five years. They were taken to Jackson [Prison] by Sheriff Smoke. This afternoon, Officer Pollock telegraphed the arrest of their accomplice Frank Georgia, at Greenville. Part of the stolen property was found on his person. [DFP-8/2/1877]

1911. In Eaton Rapids, Sanborn maps noted no industry on the Lake Shore's Lansing branch until 1911. At this time the line served the Crane & Crane grain and bean elevator as well as the Webster & Sons lumber and coal yard. In 1918, the line served the municipal water works and electric plant (bringing coal) and the Island City Pickle Works.

1917. The MC had an operator-agent here around-the-clock. [TRT]

1926. The LSMS/NYC had a water tower at Eaton Rapids in 1926. [NYCtt1926]

1941. The former Lansing Division crossing interlocker is controlled from the depot. [MCRR ETT 1941]