By July 1856, Owosso was connected to the rest of the world. Prior to 1890, old county and city maps show INDUSTRY near the river, for which it used water flow for it's power. However, after the railroad came through the county and with the invention of the steam engine, INDUSTRY seemed to move next to the rail line, in order to take advantage of cheaper shipping costs.

The engineer was also held in high regard within his community, as an airline pilot is today.

By the 1920's, the iron rail was at it's peak. And as aircraft and the automobile/truck gained popularity, the railroad steadily declined.

Henry Ford was bound and determined to put America on wheels. If only he could produce a car so cheap that every man could afford one. Well, he succeeded with the Model T at $350. Now, the automobile let it's owner come and go when they pleased and Trucks could deliver right to your door and thus, the railroad was doomed.

A hugh fire at the Ann Arbor Car Shops killed two employees in Dec. of 1895.

This site is about 1/2 mile long from east to west and 500 feet wide. A residentual area lays to the south of the rail yards.

This site has gone through many phases of operation since its inception. Buildings including a round house have been erected and razed over the years. Facilities to accommodate the engine fuels include: wood, coal and now for diesel operations.

Buildings on the property today include an office used for operation and dispatch of trains, a car and engine repair shop, a metal and wood shop, as well as storage facilities for miscellaneous parts and a fuel storage tank farm.

The Ann Arbor Railroad terminated its operation in 1973 and its facility was acquired by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. The Grand Trunk does not have an active use of this site.