The Grant Depot and Water Tower (or The Grand Rapids, Newaygo and Lake Shore Railroad Company Depot and Water Tower) is a state historical site in Grant, Michigan. The railroad depot and water tower were built in 1891 by the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad, and within a few years became part of the Pere Marquette System. The water tower is believed to be the last original wooden water tower in the State of Michigan, and the site was added to the Michigan State Historical Registry on June 10, 1980.
After being built in 1891, the station quickly became a very important part of the local economy. In terms of agriculture, around this time, Grant shipped a lot of produce by rail. In 1915, 10 to 12 cars of peaches a day were shipped, and later in the 1930s carloads of onions were shipped out from this station, earning Grant the title of “Onion Capital of the World.”
This station was also very important regarding the lumbering industry. During the seasons of 1872–73, 9,000,000 board feet (20,000 m3) of logs came of out of Newaygo County, mostly from the Grant Station, at the rate of 100,000 a day. This was one of the first log trains in Michigan. By 1885 Andrew T. Squire, owner of the local saw mill and founder of Grant, was producing 1,000,000 board feet (2,000 m3) of lumber per year.
Until the late 1940s, there were two passenger trains, (each way) running everyday between Grand Rapids and Traverse City, through the Grant Depot. The last passenger train ran in 1963.
In 1979, the depot was rebuilt to serve as a restaurant. The agent’s office and waiting room became a dining room. The freight room became a kitchen, and an addition on the east side serves as an additional dining room. The Depot Restaurant is still operational today.
Huge thanks to the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County for curating this incredible history! Want to uncover even more hidden gems? Check out newaygocountyexploring.com/tourism-tips!
