Grosse Ile Depot, Michigan Central Railroad
Did you know there is a historical railroad depot on Grosse Ile?
It seems that in the mid 1800s it was quite a challenge to get goods and passengers from Boston or New York to the Midwest. A route across Ohio was going to be too expensive because the geography of northern Ohio included many extensive swamps, making it costly to build a rail line.
The Canadian Southern Railroad was an Ontario firm that shipped freight and passengers across the southern tier of that province. They constructed a branch line from its main line across southern Ontario to a point near present-day Amherstburg. Then freight and passengers were loaded onto ferries to cross the Detroit River. The ferries docked at Stony Island. Two bridges were constructed, one across Stony Island, and the other across Grosse Ile (along the current present Grosse Ile Parkway) to what is now Trenton. The system and buildings were completed by 1873.
The building shown above was built in 1904 and was on this site as the Michigan Central Railroad depot. The railroad days ended in the 1920s. The building has served as a school, gift shop, Township hall, school board office and library. Since1967 it has been the Grosse Ile Historical Society's Museum**. Located on the grounds are six high quality and beautiful signs illustrating various aspects of history of the railroad, Depot, and Livingston Channel construction.
The museum itself is open for visitation twice a week; Thursday 10:00 AM to Noon and Sunday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.* There is no admission fee. The museum contains a large number of interesting historical displays. If you make your Award Virtual Geocache visit during one of those times be sure to ask the docent to let you sign the Geocacher's Guestbook. You will receive a commemorative collectible.
Confirmation Requirements
To receive credit for making this find one must answer three questions. You may use the online form found HERE** (You may e-mail your answers to our Geocache account but we prefer the form)
1. On the north side of the depot building there are six windows (not including the door). Counting from the right to left notice windows 2, 3 and 4. What is the significance of their placement?
2. On the Northwest corner of the depot building there is a metal plaque. What is the date on the plaque?
3. Go to N 42 07.561 W 083 08.562. Describe this object including its color. What do you think it is?
(Hint: Check out N 42 07.559 W 083 08.479).
Also attach a photograph to your log entry of yourself or things such as your GPS device, backpack etc, making the picture unique, near the front of the depot building. Be careful not to include a "spoiler" for confirmation questions.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.
*Closed January Through March
** NOTICE:This link takes you away from the web page owned by Geocaching.com. As the geocache owner, I ensure that this file is safe and it is in compliance with Geocaching rules. It will save only information that you directly provide. As the geocache owner, I ensure that this form is safe to use. It has not been checked by Geocaching HQ or by the reviewer. Use it at your own risk.