Station: Osseo, MI

Osseo was settled about 1840 and became a station stop on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern's Old Road around 1864. It is located about eight miles southeast of Hillsdale in Hillsdale County. [MPN]

The town served the surrounding farming community. Later, it had a fireworks factory which had fatal explosions on at least two occasions.

Photo Info: Top, a NYC passenger train takes on passengers at the Osseo station. 2nd photo, a 2004 photo of another building which may have served the railroad as a depot at Osseo. [Both, Alan Loftis collection]

Notes

Time Line

1865. December. This village claims 250 people and contains a post office, one hotel, three stores, three sawmills, a carriage, blacksmith and two cooper shops. A branch of the St. Joseph river provides water power. [DFP-1865-1215]

1891. A 19 year old was stealing a ride from Hillsdale to Osseo, his home, when midway between the two stations the conductor told him to jump, which he did, sustaining fatal injuries. [DFP-1891-1024]

1905. In prospecting for oil, a drill near Osseo, five miles east of Hillsdale, struck gas at a depth of 1,200 feet. The flow is so strong that when ignited a flame 15 feet high shot up into the air. [BBAN-1905-0622]