Ann Arbor Railway Howell Depot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ann Arbor Railway Station
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| Location | 126 Wetmore St., Howell, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1886 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000405 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 1971 |
The Ann Arbor Railway Howell Depot is an old train station in Howell, Michigan. You can find it at 128 Wetmore Street. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Today, it's known as the Howell Depot Museum. It's a great place to learn about the town's past.
Why Was the Howell Train Depot Built?
In the early 1880s, Howell had only one railroad. This was the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad. In 1885, people wanted a new train line. They raised money to bring the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway to Howell.
They believed two train lines would create competition. This would help lower prices for shipping goods and travel. The Howell Depot was built in the fall of 1886. The new train line was finished soon after.
In 1895, the railway changed its name. It became the Ann Arbor Railroad. The depot served as a passenger station until 1951. After that, trains no longer picked up passengers here. The railway still used the building for offices.
In 1970, the Howell Area Historical Society bought the depot. They turned it into a museum. Now, visitors can explore the history of the railroad and the town.
What Does the Ann Arbor Railway Station Look Like?
The Ann Arbor Railway Station is a rectangular brick building. It measures 50 feet long and 22 feet wide. The roof slopes down on two sides, like a typical house.
On the side facing the train tracks, there is a special bay window. This window sticks out from the building. Other windows are double-hung, meaning they slide up and down. They have arched tops.
Inside, the rooms have very tall ceilings, about eighteen feet high. The lower part of the walls has wood panels, called wainscoting. These panels are about four feet tall. The floorboards are wide, measuring two feet across.
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