The Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon railroad had established their line in 1872 from Marquette, via Negaunee, and west to Ishpeming and beyond. Their line through Negaunee was roughly parallel to Iron Street on the south side of town.
The Detroit, Marquette & Western had built their line from St. Ignace to Marquette (in the south yard area), and desired favorable connections with the MH&O west from Marquette. Apparently the MH&O was not cooperative, so the The DM&W formed another company - the Marquette & Western - to compete with the MH&O between Marquette and Ishpeming.
But the MH&O refused to allow the M&W to cross their tracks in Negaunee. The matter was referred to Michigan;s Commissioner of Railroads, and the Commissioner sided with the MH&O. He ordered the M&W to build a bridge over the MH&O main line. The bridge was built and the line put into use in 1884.
The bridge, as shown on the accompanying Sanborn map, was substantial, especially considering that this was adjacent to the central business district in Negaunee. The bridge was built with iron, though some of the approaches may have been timber.
Within a year of the completion of the M&W, both lines were in financial trouble. The M&W was sold in 1882 to the MH&O, and the bridge came down shortly replaced by a junction at grade.
This location along Iron Street, was about 3 blocks west of the now abandoned Snow Street, in the area of Negaunee which was abandoned due to caving ground from the Jackson Mine.
Note the Jackson Iron Company's No. 7 engine house and excavation near the crossing.
The location of the Iron Street Crossover was at 46.499035, -87.617931.
1873. October. The Negaunee Grade Crossing. The Detroiters representing the Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette extension, the Marquette & Western in the grade crossing dispute with the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon returned from Chicago yesterday. President McMillan, of that road, told FREE PRESS representative that the matter in dispute was argued thoroughly before the board which decides such easements, consisting of the Commissioner of Railways, the Attorney and the Secretary of State, and a is expected this week. Marquette. decision, the Ontonagon claimed $30,000 a year damages from the stoppage of their trains on the heavy grades at the crossing.
Besides this they have suddenly discovered that they need more yard room at Negaunee and must extend their switches beyond the proposed crossing, The Marquette & Western offered to put in an interlocking switch system, which will do away with the necessity stopping and to give the old road. the right of way. The fact that the route chosen is the only one they could take to get through Negaunee, except they should build through the principal street, will help the case of the new road. They have announced their determination to reach the mines in time for next season's shipments at any rate. In addition the Cleveland ore dock property, which they purchased at Marquette, they have bought water front and will put up a new 10.000 ton ore dock, giving them three times their present handling capacity at Marquette.
They already have a contract for carrying the Cleveland mine's output, and considering the feeling which exists in the Upper Peninsula, which THE FREE PRESS has already mentioned, they will have no difficulty in doing their share of the business another year. [DFP-1873-1013]
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