| The Lake Odessa depot was built around 1888 by the Detroit, Lansing
and Northern Railroad. Within a few years, this railroad became part of the
Pere Marquette System. The rail line through Lake Odessa became part of the
PM main line, running from Detroit to Chicago, by way of Grand Rapids. Passenger
service lasted until 1971, when Amtrak took over passenger service on the
C & O. Victor Michutka was the station agent from 1965 until the station
finally closed in 1984 or 1985.
The Queen Anne style of architecture encouraged a wide variety of decorative
patterns and elements. Could the architect have had visions of kupol-topped
churches in Odessa, Russia in mind as he drew the plans? In addition to the
onion-dome topped tower, the depot has arched windows, rectangular windows,
horizontal siding, vertical siding, raised panels, inset panels, etc., all
combined as a really nice example of the Queen Anne style, as applied to
a railroad depot.
The Lake Odessa Historical Association acquired the depot in the mid 1980's.
It was moved one block north and two blocks east. The following restoration
was outstanding. Work included a new wood shake roof and recreation of the
roof cresting. The paint scheme brings out the elaborate details of the buildings
exterior. The depot is open weekends as a local historical museum. There
is also has a nicely restored but unlettered
Grand Trunk caboose on the property. |
