Time Line - 1847

Last Year | Next Year

• November 29:  Michigan' first telegraph line is completed along the Michigan Central Railroad tracks between Detroit and Ypsilanti. The first messages sent were long and ranged from the price of wheat and putty to news of the Mexican War. Eventually the line will extend to Chicago and be used by the Michigan Central to dispatch trains. [MT][DWS]

• State approves move of capital from Detroit to Lansing. [DWS]

• The original Central Railroad depot at Michigan near Woodward is abandoned by the railroad. It is later leased to private individuals, and burned in 1859.  [HWC]

• Michigan Central Railroad opens a brick, 3 story passenger station in Detroit on Third at Woodbridge Street. It served until destroyed by fire in 1912. [RWC]

• The steamship Phoenix burns in Lake Michigan (location not known), killing 247 persons. [LDN-1949-0921]

• The Cleveland Iron Mining Co. is founded. [IOHT] 

Time line Key:

• Railroad event in Michigan
• Event relating to mining
• Event related to car ferries
• Event outside of Michigan
• Improvement in Technology
• Railroad built or extended
• Railroad abandoned and/or removed
• Economic panic or depression