Railroad: Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette railroad

Built → Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad → Mackinaw & Marquette railroad → Duluth South Shore and Atlantic

Built: 1880 Marquette to Onota.

Operated for 6 years.

Became: M&M in 1886 as a foreclosure.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

In 1881 line was completed from Marquette east to St. Ignace. [MRRC]

The period of ownership by the Mackinaw & Marquette was very brief. It appears that this railroad existed to consolidate affairs in anticipation of a reorganization or sale to the DSS&A. We do not list the M&M as a railroad in our index.

Time Line

1883. Messrs. Newberry & McMillan, Francis Palms and the group of capitalists known as the George I. Seney Syndicate (who built the Nickel Plate Railroad) have raised a fund of $2 million for the improvements contemplated, and General Manager McCool, of the Marquette & Mackinaw Railroad is now at work superintending the location of the extension from Marquette to Negaunee and Ishpeming, upon which the work grading and construction will begin in about thirty days. "We won't have to borrow a dollar," said Mr. McMillan. "We have got the money all raised and after building the road can issue our securities. That is the way we did the building the Marquette & Mackinaw Railroad. We raised the money, built the road, issued our securities and still hold them."

The distance of the road to be built (the Marquette & Western) from Marquette to the mines is fourteen miles, which with the various little spurs of the line to the several mines makes a total of 17 miles. The country through which is it to be built is very uneven and rocky, and the cost of the work will be upwards of $40,000 per mile. The length of the branch road from the main line to Sault Ste. Marie is 48 miles (three surveys preliminary have already been made but the located line is not yet known) through a heavily timbered country.

In connection with the branch road the same gentlemen will build a bridge cross the ship canal and St. Mary's River, and by the terms of the charter (provided by an act passed by the Dominion Parliament and  a bill passed by the Congress of the United States), the bridge must be completed before 1886.

The benefits to be derived by the gentlemen who have entered into the enterprise might be classed as immediate and prospective. Messrs. Newberry & McMillan have two iron furnaces on the Marquette & Mackinaw, and the extensive wharfs at St. Ignace, besides two or three furnaces on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad. They will also construct extensive ore wharfs at Marquette. It is in handling of ore for these places and for shipment down the lakes that the immediate benefits of the extension to the mines will result.

A meeting will be held today to adopt plans for a mammoth iron ferry boat, prepared by Marine Architect Kirby of this city (Detroit), which will be built at once, and which is intended for the transfer of cars across the Straits of Mackinaw.

The benefits from the branch to Sault Ste. Marie are patent. The Canadian Pacific and the Grand Trunk have built their roads to within 60 miles of the St. Mary's River, and, when completed to that point, the bridge across the river and the extension must bring large patronage from both Southeast and East and West and Northwest. In addition there are the lumber and grain interests of Chippewa County, which will provide liberal local traffic.

The effect of even the probability of building the roads in question has been very marked, both in Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie, the people of Marquette being very joyful over the possibility of a relief from a monopoly so long held by the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon railroad company, while the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie realize a final outlet to the world in winter. [DFP-1883-0523]

1887. May 16. James McMillan, president of the DSS&A gives notice that hereafter his company will control the DM&M and the MH&O railroads, and will operate them as one line from St. Ignace at the Straits of Mackinaw to Houghton. The following appointments have been made: Andrew Watson, general superintendent; E.W. Allen, auditor and general passenger and ticket agent; William Orr, general freight agent. [PHTH-1887-0516]

1888. February. The application for listing of the DSS&A has gone to the Stock Exchange, but the stock has already been traded in, among the enlisted securities. The road is fully described in the application. The new company is a consolidation of the:

• Sault Ste. Marie & Marquette
• Mackinaw & Marquette
• Wisconsin, Sault Ste. Marie & Mackinac
• Duluth, Superior & Michigan
• Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette (acquired by foreclosure)
• Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon (leased)

The line is now in operation from St. Ignace to Marquette (152 miles) and from Marquette to Houghton (94 miles). A branch extends from Soo Junction to Sault Ste. Marie (47 miles) and the Marquette & Western with branches to iron mines (about 28 miles).

The road is all graded, and it is in operation from Marquette to Nestoria. From that point to a junction with the Northern Pacific rails will be laid in the spring, and in May the whole road will begin operation. The company is fairly well supplied with equipment and motive power now, but about half as many more engines and cars will be delivered under contract before July 1.

The road is bonded at $12,000 a mile in 50 year 5% first mortgage bonds. The common stock is $12 million and the preferred stock is $10 million. Although the road is now earning interest, the projectors have not yet seen a chance to get their money out. At current prices for the stock the 5% bonds stand them at over 90, and if they hold on to their securities they realize only 2 1/2% at present upon their original subscriptions. [DFP-1888-0226]