Railroad: Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Rail Road Company

The Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan was primarily funded in 1870 by the Pennsylvania railroad interests, similar to the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad. The plan was to build a road from the PFW&C at Mansfield, OH, northwest across Michigan to Allegan. The road was to cross the GR&I at Monteith Junction and it would form a cutoff for travelers from northern Ohio to reach the GR&I and northern resorts. The line would also open up other communities in northern Ohio and southern Michigan which were lacking rail service, such as Camden in Hillsdale County. Much of the line was graded prior to stopping the project. The track from Monteith Jct. to Allegan was laid, as well as some mileage near Mansfield, Ohio.

A contract to build the road was given to the Continental Improvement Company, the same company which built much of the GR&I.

The Monteith Jct. to Allegan portion of the line was leased to the GR&I and sold at foreclosure to the Allegan and Southeastern railroad. It eventually became part of the DT&M operation to Dundee which ended up being split between the Michigan Central and the Lake Shore.

Built → Mansfield Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad → GR&I → Allegan & South Eastern → Michigan & Ohio

Built: 1871 - Allegan to Monteith. Some track in Ohio.

Operated for 3 years.

Leased: 1874 - to Grand Rapids & Indiana.

Foreclosure sale: 1877 - Michigan property to Allegan & South Eastern. Ohio property to Pennsylvania.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

As this railroad grade came northwest up into Michigan, the planned route took it through Camden, a small town in southern Hillsdale County. Though track was never laid, you can clearly see the old grade along a tree line in Camden using Google Maps. It is also visible using LIDAR.

In the 1876 annual report by the Michigan Commissioner of railroads, the MC&LM has three separate entries.

• The first report is brief, and indicates that the line was built in 1872 for $1.3 million, and operated as the Lansing Division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern.
• The second, with the same officers and board of directors as the first entry, shows that 19.5 miles had been graded and ironed with 50 lbs. rail (likely Monteith Jct. to Allegan) and another 110 miles only graded, "not quite completed". The reported noted that the prospects of completion were "Not flattering".
• The third report, of the "Western Division" of the MC&LM noted that the line was operated by the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad company. It noted that the line was open from Monteith to Allegan, 11.5 miles. Eight more miles had rail laid but not used.  The report noted that the railroad crossed the GR&I at grade at Monteith, and the Kalamazoo, Allegan & Grand Rapids railroad at Allegan. The road reported four stations, and seven regular employees. All locomotives, passenger and freight cars were "furnished by the GR&I. 

Time Line

1870. December 28. The line is organized. [FL-p.47]

1871. Construction of the road is commenced from both ends. Line line is completed between Allegan and Monteith Junction in September, 1871. Further construction was prevented due to lack of funds. [FL-p.47]

1872. The Pennsylvania railroad bought control of the Michigan Lake Shore, for the purpose of operating between Allegan and Holland. They operated the line until 1878 when it was sold to a new owner under receivership. [FL]

1902. The Michigan Railroad Commission reports on the Central Michigan Railroad Company for 1902 and the railroad appears to have been a component of the Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan. All directors were from Grand Rapids with fix stockholders. The road does not appear to operate any railroad track, but does list intended crossing at grade in Battle Creek (MC, C&GT, and DT&M), at Burlington (MC Air Line), Coldwater (LS&MS Old Road) and Montgomery (LS&MS Fort Wayne branch). [MCR-1903]