| The Ionia depot was built by the Grand Trunk Western
in 1910, likely replaced earlier building, as the line itself dates back
to 1858, when the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee was building a railroad
to the port in Grand Haven.
Passenger service lasted until 1959 and was regularly hauled
by steam engines until December 1958. In 1987 Grand Trunk sold the line to
the Central Michigan Railroad. Tracks are still in use, now by the Grand
Rapids & Eastern. The depot is in very good shape. In 1998, it housed
a beauty parlor in the main section and a candle shop in the former baggage
room on the east end.
The depot in St. Johns, 26 miles to the east, is very similar
to Ionia, but does not have the covered portico
found on the west end of Ionia's depot. |
