User:JessicaCMiller

The Palmyra Jacksonburgh Railroad is a rail way system that used to run through several small towns in Southern Michigan. It was the first rail way system in the state of Michigan and stopped fully functioning in the year 1981.

Railroad Systems

Since the 1800's, this railroad system has had several different names. When it was first built it was named the Tecumseh branch. After this it was named what history remembers most, the Palmyra Jacksonburgh Railroad. It was then sold with the Southern Railroad which was a group of small rail way systems that made up one large system. After a few years, the Michigan Southern Railroad consolidated with the Northern Indiana Railroad. In 1915, the small railroad got linked to the huge New York Central System, until finally it was sold to the Penn Central Transportation Company which filed bankruptcy and ceased to exist.

History

In April 1833, the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad company was given a charter to start the building of a railroad. The Palmyra Jacksonburgh Railroad was the first rail way in the state of Michigan. It was built in 1837, the year that Michigan became a state, and was named the Tecumseh branch. The charter that was recieved in 1833 granted them the ability to create a 46 mile long rail way that would run through Clinton,MI and finish in Jacksonburgh,MI (which is now known as Jackson, MI). The new railroad branch tried to start building in 1838, but because of financial problems the little railroad could not be built. However, in 1844 it was sold to the state to be operated by the Southern Michigan Railroad. After a few years construction began once more. The railroad reached Clinton, MI in 1853, it reached Manchester, MI in 1855, and it reached Jacksonburgh, MI in 1857. Once reaching Jacksonburgh, this branch was completed. From this point until around the 1930's, this railroad was the very reason for the expand of Southern Michigan. But, in 1938 the use of the train began to dwindle. The invention of the car and the ability for most people to have an automobile available, slowed down the use of trains. The general population did not need to be transported by train to get from place to place if they had a car. This effected the Palmyra Jacksonburgh Railroad. It no longer needed to be able to transport people and lost a great deal of money because of it. The train system still ran on enporting and exporting goods throughout the country. In 1963 and 1965 the tracks between Clinton and Jackson were removed. This cut off the little train system from big business, and in return the railroad company had to file for bankruptcy in 1970 until it was abandoned in 1981.

Southern Michigan Railroad Socitey Inc.

In 1985 the Southern Michigan Railroad Society Inc., purchased the Clinton Branch and transformed it into an operating railroad museum. The Southern Michigan Railroad Society Inc. continues to preserve, restore, and to educate the public about the first railroad in Michigan. They offer various trips on the remaining tracks of what used to be an operating railroad, and work on a volunteer basis.

Historical Tours

Many of the events they offer are a tour during the Clinton Fall Festival, a tour during the Appleumpkin Festival,and the Fall Colors tour. They also feature a few winter excursions. These are the Tecumseh Holiday Open House, and a tour through the Tecumseh Holiday Lighted Parade.