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Interurban train route

Map
Laminated 11x17 color laser print of a map created by Chris Clark in 2026. The map shows the locations of Interurban electric train service. The back is blank.
Interurban train route picture number 1
End of the Line? The Interurban Railway to Saugatuck Presented by Chris Clark on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 11 AM at the History Center in Douglas MI This presentation traces the history of the electric interurban railway that ran out of Saugatuck between 1899 and 1926. It explains why the railway was built, how it operated, who depended on it, and why it ultimately disappeared. In the late nineteenth century, advances in electric traction, expanding electrical infrastructure, rising prosperity, shorter workweeks, paid vacations, and the rapid growth of tourism all created favorable conditions for electric railways. Investors believed interurbans represented the future of transportation, while resorts, steamship companies, and real estate developers saw them as a way to attract visitors. The Holland line began construction in 1897 but stalled because of financial difficulties. It was rescued by lumberman James Cochran. Service to Macatawa Park opened in 1898, followed by the Saugatuck branch in August 1899 after delays in securing rights-of-way. There was a trestle in Saugatuck across marshy land. In 1900, Detroit investors purchased the lines, and by July 1901 the system reached Grand Rapids, creating a much larger regional network. A major aspect of the railway was its close partnership with the Graham & Morton steamship line. Passengers arriving from Chicago could transfer directly from steamships to interurban cars, allowing seamless travel to Holland, Grand Rapids, or Saugatuck. The line carried both tourists and local residents, with frequent hourly service and more than one million annual passenger trips during its peak years. The railroad generated its own electricity at a coal-fired power station near Virginia Park, used standard-gauge track that allowed freight interchange with steam railroads, and operated self-propelled electric cars capable of rapid acceleration and frequent stops. The interurban served many practical purposes. It connected rural communities with schools, businesses, and shopping, enabled commuters and vacationers to travel easily, and stimulated attractions such as Jenison Electric Park, the Big Pavilion, and resorts along the lakeshore. Freight accounted for roughly 30 percent of revenue, carrying fruit, farm products, refrigerated produce, mail, and other cargo. Benjamin Hanchett developed Jenison Park specifically to attract interurban passengers. It featured a roller coaster, water ride, carousel, theater, dance hall, miniature train, electric lighting, and other family attractions. After serving briefly as railroad president, Hanchett later purchased the railway in 1912 and modernized it by constructing a new dock near Jenison Park, rerouting sections of track, increasing electrical voltage, and improving access to developing resort communities such as Castle Park. The railway's decline resulted from several converging forces. Improved roads, inexpensive automobiles, trucks, buses, Prohibition, Sunday blue laws, financial instability, and competition from motor vehicles steadily reduced ridership and profitability. By 1924 service had been drastically reduced, and the line declared bankruptcy. The final interurban ran on November 15, 1926. Some of the railway survives. Portions of the route are visible as power-line corridors, preserved waiting stations, and place names like Old Interurban Drive. Although the trains disappeared, the route continues to shape the landscape and lives on symbolically through the interurban bus service. Names mentioned include Charles Humphrey, Melvin Kinch, James Cochran. John Winter, Benjamin Hanchett, Lucius Jenison, Luman Jenison, and Ed Force. Locations include Macatawa Park, Jenison Park, Castle Park, Ottawa Beach, and Saugatuck Junction.

2026.01.23

Pinpoints the locations of of the stations or shelters including the Interurban Dock, Jenison Park, Macatawa Loop, Saugatuck Junction, Car Barn, Lake Bluff, Castle Park, Green Park, Hofmeyer, DePree, Graafschap, Knoll, Laketown, Bee Line, Gibson, Farview, Belvedere, State Road, Whitney's Corners, the Maple Street Trestle, Wilson's Dock and Saugatuck. The map uses color to indicate the tracks used in 1899-1926, 1899-1914 and 1914-1929. Clark assembled this map in preparation for a July 2026 Tuesday Talk presentation about the Interurban Railroad. See web link below to view presentation.

1899 Interurban electric train -1926

Winthers, Sally

2026.01

Chris Clark gave the map to Eric Gollannek on 9-29-2026

Clark, Chris

2026

18 in

12 in

137 Transportation on Land

Interurban Railroad 1899-1927Belvedere Inn and Restaurant/Belvedere Estate/3656 63rd Street100 Lucy/William Johnston/Wilson's Marina/Docks/Coal Office/Iron Clad basket factory

Watch Chris Clark's lecture about the Interurban Railway, 21 July 2026.

10/14/2026

10/15/2026