Station: Williamston, MI

Williamston was settled about 1834 and known as Cedar. With its location on the Cedar River, a sawmill was located here in 1840 and a grist mill in 1842. The town is located 12 miles east of Lansing in Ingham County. It was a station stop on the Pere Marquette main line between Detroit and Grand Rapids via Lansing. Williamston became a village in 1871 and a city in 1944. [MPN]

Photo info: Top, an old photo of the depot, water tower and elevator at Williamston. 2nd photo, a 2003 photo of the depot. [Both, Alan Loftis]

Notes

Time Line

1886. The DL&N depot is burned.

1887. The DL&N builds a new station-house, platform and coal house at Williamston, to replace buildings destroyed by fire. [DL&N-1887]

1892. June 13. The DL&N depot at Williamston was burned at midnight Saturday. The fire was not discovered until the building was in flames, but the baggage room and the coal room were saved. The cause was not known, but it originated in the telegraph office and communications by wire was cut off at 11:30 o'clock. This is the second depot burned here, the former one being destroyed six years ago. The agent went to Okemos on a handcar and telegraphed to Ionia for line workmen to put up the wires and establish communications. A temporary office will be placed in the wheathouse until a new building can be erected. [SCH-1892-0616]

1906. The PM erects a new depot here as well as a new water facility. [PMAR-1906]

1945. The west end of the passing siding has a spring switch. [PM45]

1980. The former PM depot at Williamston has been relocated to about ½ mile west of its former site. [IT-1980-2]