Thomas Edison Depot Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 520 State St., Port Huron, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1858 |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001397 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1977 |
The Thomas Edison Depot Museum is a cool place to visit in Port Huron, Michigan. It used to be a train station, but now it's a museum! This historic building, once known as the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It's a special spot because the famous inventor, Thomas Edison, worked here when he was a teenager.
Contents
A Look Back at the Depot's Past
Building the Station
The Canadian Grand Trunk Railway Company built this station way back in 1858. It was first called the Gratiot Railway Station. This building was very important for people moving from Canada to the United States. By 1869, about 42,000 immigrants had passed through its doors.
Thomas Edison's Early Days
A young Thomas Edison lived near this station. From 1859 to 1863, he worked here as a "news butcher." This meant he sold newspapers, snacks, and candy to passengers on the trains. It was one of his first jobs and helped him learn about business.
Changes Over Time
In 1907, a bigger, two-story train station was built nearby. The original 1858 depot was later used as office space in the mid-1920s. The newer 1907 station served travelers until 1971. It was then taken down in 1973.
Becoming a Museum
The Port Huron Museum opened the Thomas Edison Depot Museum in the old 1858 building in 2001. The museum is owned and run by the Port Huron Museum. It's the actual depot where Thomas Edison worked!
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has lots of interesting things to explore. You can see a restored baggage car on a short piece of railroad track. Inside, there are items found from an archaeological dig at Edison's boyhood home. His home burned down in 1870.
You can also see original Edison phonographs playing music. There's even the world's largest light bulb! The museum teaches you all about the early life of this amazing inventor.
The Depot's Design
The Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot is a single-story building. It has a rectangular shape and seven sections. You can find it close to the Blue Water Bridge. The building has wooden siding and a low, gabled roof. The roof is held up by beautifully carved brackets. It features different kinds of windows, including round vent openings. These details give it an elegant look, similar to the Italian Villa style.
Images for kids
-
State historic marker -
Thomas Edison statue along the river -
Sample of the newspaper Edison published aboard the train when he worked out of the station
