Ann Arbor Railroad Company

The Ann Arbor Railroad began in 1878. The line began in Toledo, Ohio and ran northwest through Ann Arbor to Frankfort and Elberta, Michigan. It was officially incorporated on September 21, 1895. The railroad ran a Great Lakes car ferry service from 1892 to 1982. In 1976, the Michigan Department of Transportation bought the northern part of the railroad (the railroad had declared bankruptcy in 1973). In order to keep the entire line operating, the state bought the southern part in 1980. By 1988-1989, private companies bought parts of the railroad line from the state. The Ann Arbor Railroad, as now constituted, is operated by the Ann Arbor Acquisition Corporation.

From the description of Ann Arbor Railroad agreements, 1887-1978 1930-1960. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 244486737

The Ann Arbor Railroad began in 1878. In 1892, the railroad began a car ferry service. It eventually had five lines that operated all year. All of the lines began in Frankfort, Michigan and went to Manitovoc and Kewaunee, Wisconsin; and Menominee, Escanaba and Manistique, Michigan. The Ann Arbor No. 1 was the first ferry, with Ann Arbor nos. 2-7 and the Wabash being added later. The ferries connected the Ann Arbor Railroad with the Chicago and Northwestern, the Green Bay and Western, the Milwaukee, the Wisconsin and Michigan, the Soo line, and the Manistique and Lake Superior railroads. The Ann Arbor Railroad sold out to the Wabash Railroad on May 19, 1925. In the forties and fifties, the old ferries were refurbished (except nos. 1, 2, and 4). Because the ferrying of boxcars was more profitable, the ferrying of autos and passengers became a sideline. The Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad took over operations in 1962. The Ann Arbor ferries operated until the spring of 1982.

From the description of Records of the Ann Arbor Railroad, 1899-1982. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 244486733

The company was incorporated on Sept. 20, 1895 and acquired various Midwest and Michigan lines until 1910. It declared bankruptcy in 1973. Parts of the lines were sold in 1976, 1980, and 1987. Currently, remaining state-owned properties are called the Ann Arbor Railroad System.

From the description of Photograph collection, 2006. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 38435924

For information about the Ann Arbor Railroad Company see the catalog record or the finding aid for the main collection.

From the description of Engineering Drawings, 1927-1965. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 467847410

Reorganized in 1895 from Toledo, Ann Arbor, and North Michigan Railway Company; ran from Toledo, Ohio, to Frankfort, Mich.

From the description of Records, 1898-1963. (Virginia Tech). WorldCat record id: 28419770

The Ann Arbor Railroad Company was incorporated on Sept. 20, 1895 and acquired various Midwest and Michigan lines until 1910. It declared bankruptcy in 1973. Parts of the lines were sold in 1976, 1980, and 1987. Currently, the remaining state-owned properties are called the Ann Arbor Railroad System. The Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association seeks to collection information from and about the company, research the company, publish and disseminate information and research about the company, and maintain an association of people interested in the company and its subsidiary companies. (This information is from the AARTHA's website as viewed on Feb. 28, 2008.)

From the description of Collection, 1901, 2001. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 212383102

The Company was incorporated on Sept. 20, 1895 for $7,250,000 in Toledo (Ohio). After acquiring a number of lines, it declared bankruptcy in 1973. It was later sold in parts to the state of Mich. and the Grand Trunk Western in 1976, 1980 and 1987.

From the description of Collection, 1914-1964. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 43939896