Bygones of Monroe:
Railroads
Monroe always had three major railroads running through it. On the west side of town was the Pere Marquette track. Freight and passenger trains used these rails. On the East side of town were the Southbound (single track) and the Northbound track of the Michigan Central later to become the New York Central. Both of these rails provided freight and passenger service for Monroe. Further East was the Detroit, Toledo, and Shoreline tracks which provided freight service only. There was a connector track that ran through the city of Monroe along First Street. This connector allowed interchange of rail cars between the East and West sides of Monroe. Along this connector were sidings for the coal company at Front and First St., Amendt Milling Co., The Weis Manufacturing Co. and West Side Paper Mills. This same connector track went East along Front St. to the port area.
Anonymous patron recollections
11-20-04
