Time Line - 1860's - Decade Overview

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• Railroads began building branch lines to replace plank roads and stage coaches.  [AAD]

• The Michigan Car Company (John S. Newberry and James McMillan) began building rail cars in Detroit.  A competitor, the Peninsular Car Company (owned by Russell A. Alger) also opened but was later merged into Michigan Car.  A number of supporting businesses, including iron works and the Detroit Wheel Company, the Russel Wheel and Foundry Company, and the Griffin Car Wheel Company were founded in Detroit.    [AAD]

• Michigan Central built many of its own freight cars in shops at Jackson, which was the city's first industrial enterprise.  The Flint and Pere Marquette also built passenger coaches at shops in Saginaw.  [AAD]

• The "Yankee", built by the Alexander Chaplin co. of Scotland, is put into operation to move iron ore from Negaunee and Ishpeming to the Marquette docks. The locomotive replaces horse power. [MRF]

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