USA > Michigan > Gazetteer of the State of Michigan, in three parts with a succinct history of the State, from the earliest period to the present time with an appendix, containing the usual statistical tables, and a directory for emigrants, &c > Part 8
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St. Joseph River. This river has been surveyed from its mouth to Union city. The difference between high and low water mark varies from four to six feet, according to its width. From St. Joseph to Niles, it varies in width from 300 to 400 feet. The width at St. Joseph is 900 feet. Between Sturgeon lake and Union city, 20 1-4 miles, the average width is 125 feet.
Estimates for the complete improvement of the river have been made by the engineer, calculated to secure five feet of water to Three Rivers, and four feet from thence to Un- ion city. The distance from the mouth of the stream to the Indiana line, is 48 1-2 miles. The whole ascent is 68 1-2 feet. The amount of rise necessary to be over- come by the construction of 12 dams and locks, 46 1-2 feet. The expense of constructing dams, clearing channel, &c. $93,868.
The whole distance of the river running through Indi- ana is 43 miles ; ascent 99 feet, or 2 1-2 feet per mile ; the whole rise to be overcome by dams and locks, 54 1-2 feet ; and the requisite number of dams, 12. The estimated ex- pense of improvement, $93,134.
The distance from the State line to Three Rivers, 21 3-4 miles ; ascent, 34 3-4 feet ; to be overcome by dams and locks, 11 feet ; requisite number of dams, 4; estimated ex- pense of improvement, $24,680.
The distance from Three Rivers to Union city, 46 3-4 miles; ascent, 83 3-4 feet ; number of dams and locks, 14; estimated expense of improvement, $64,885.
Distance from St. Joseph to Union city, 160 miles.
Height of Union city above Lake Michigan, 285 feet. Requisite number of locks and dams, 42.
Estimated expense of improvement, $276,568.
Distance within the State to be improved, 117 miles.
Number of locks and dams, 30.
Estimated expense to Michigan for its improvement, $183,434.
8
86
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- TABULAR STATEMENT.
Surveys have been made to ascertain the feasibility of constructing canals-one from Union city to Homer, uni- ting the navigable waters of the St. Joseph and Kalamazoo rivers; another from the Kalamazoo to the Huron, at Dex-
ter, thereby connecting the navigable waters of those two
Both projects are favorably reported.
streams.
The distance from Union city to Homer is 20 miles ; the summit level between the two rivers 98 feet ; the estimated expense of constructing the canal, $144,008.
TABULAR STATEMENT Of Canal, Rail-Road, and River Improvements undertaken by the State.
NAMES OF WORK.
Length.
Estimated ex- pense
Appropriated Appropriated in 1837
in 1838
Total amount appropriations! for 1837 & '38
Southern Rail-road,
183 miles
$1,496,376
$100,000
$350,000
$450,000
Havre Branch Rail-road,
13
82,043
20,000
20,000
Central Rail-road,
194
1,928,195
400,000
- 350,000
750,000
Northern Rail-road,
#167
1,310,361
50,000
60,000
110,000
Saginaw or Northern Canal,
+53
238,240
15,000
47,000
62,000
St. Mary's Canal,
4560 feet
112,544
25,000
25,000
50,000
Clinton and Kalamazoo Canal,
216 miles
2,250,000
40,000
205,000
245,000
Improvement of Grand River,
90
67,309
30,000
30,000
Improvement of Kalamazoo do.
75
125,924
8,000
8,000
Improvement of St. Joseph do.
117
183,434
Total length of Improvements,
1109 miles
$7,794,430
$650,000
$1,075,000
$1,725,000
Total length of Rail-roads,
557 miles
do. do. Canals,
231
do. do. Rivers,
321
* Report Pres. Board Internal Improvements to the Legislature.
t The canal is only four miles long ; but in the estimate, the length and expense of improve- ment of the Maple river (32 miles) and the Bad river (7 miles) are included. (See ante.)
GAZETTEER
87
OF MICHIGAN.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- FUNDS.
Michigan Internal Improvement Fund. To carry on the projected State improvements, the legislature resolved to create a fund, which should be exclusively devoted to that particular purpose, called the Internal Improvement Fund. The requisite sum was not to exceed five millions of dollars. The Governor was authorized to negociate for a loan or loans to this amount, bearing an interest not exceeding five and a half (afterwards extended to six) per cent., payable semi-annually, redeemable at the pleasure of the State, after the expiration of 25 years, after the first of Jan. 1838.
To effect this loan, certificates of stock or bonds of not less than one thousand dollars each, bearing interest as aforesaid, payable the first of January and July respective- ly, were directed to be made and issued, signed by the Gov- ernor, countersigned by the Secretary of State, with the great seal of the State affixed thereon, drawn in favor of, and indorsed by, the Auditor General. These were then made transferrable to, and by, the Governor, who was au- thorized to sell them at not less than par value, the faith of the State being pledged to the payment of the loan, princi- pal and interest, according to the terms of the contract made by him.
Sinking Fund. For the extinguishment of the debt aris- ing from this loan, a separate fund is created, denominated the Sinking Fund, which is to be applied to the payment of the principal and interest of this loan. This fund is constituted, by the proceeds of all canals and rail-roads constructed by the State ; by the interest on all loans which may hereafter be made by the State from the internal im- provement fund; and by the dividends arising from all bank stock owned, or which may hereafter be owned by the State.
The Internal Improvement Fund is derived from the fol- lowing sources, (viz. : ) Deposite of surplus revenue ; five per cent. proceeds from sales of public lands within the State; and from the State loan.
"The amount placed to the credit of the fund of inter- nal improvement, as appears from the books of the auditor, up to the first day of January, 1838, is as follows, to wit :
88
GAZETTEER
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
From Surplus revenue, -
-
$286,751 49
Five per cent. from sale pub. lands, -
151,800 00
State loan, - -
180,000 00
Sale iron to Det. & Pon. R. R. Co. - 5,293 00
$623,844 49
"The whole amount expended up to the first of January, 1838, as appears by the books of the anditor, is as follows, viz.
On the Southern Rail-road,
$12,605 07
66 Havre Branch "
61 74
Central
367,995 25
Northern
8,226 25
Clinton and Kalamazoo Canal,
12,117 27
Northern or Saginaw
9,048 04
66 St. Mary's
1,152 27
Survey of Grand and Kalamazoo Rivers, 1,287 84
Contingencies of the Board,
3,145 02
415,618 75
Leaving unexpended Jan. 1st, 1838, a bal- ance of - - $208,225 74"
Vigorous measures are making to forward each of the improvements, and more or less of each is under contract, and in progress of construction.
RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
Of those works in the construction of which the State has no concern, may be classed those which are merely projec- ted, and only the preliminary steps taken to their commence- ment, and those which have been already commenced and are in progress, or, in some cases, partly in operation. Sev- eral of these, and those the most important routes, are su- perseded by the State works, others have been suspended from causes proceeding from the derangement of the cur- rency ; and others are suspended, and will probably be en- tirely discontinued.
The following statements exhibit the present condition of those roads which are to be constructed by chartered com-
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OF MICHIGAN.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
panies, the time when each was incorporated, capital stock, the terminating and intervening points connected, the lim- itation of construction by charter, and such other matter as may show the progress of the improvement, and the probability of final completion. The length of each route as here stated, is put down as an estimate only, but purposely within the mark, and not the distance by survey, except in those cases where the ascertained length by sur- vey has been received.
The Romeo and Mt. Clemens Rail-road Company, was incorporated in 1833, with a capital of $150,000, the de- sign of which was to connect Romeo and Mount Clemens, in the county of Macomb. Nothing had been done to for- ward it in 1837. The company on pain of forfeiture of its charter is limited to six years, to construct and com- plete the road. Estimated length 15 miles.
The Detroit and Maumce Rail-road Company, was in- corporated in 1835, with a capital stock of $500,000, de- signed to connect the City of Detroit with the Maumee Bay, in Ohio, by rail-road, through Monroe. It is by an- other act, authorized to vary the location so as to go to, or pass through the village of Havre. By charter it must be commenced within three years, and be finished in seven years. Its length when completed cannot be less than 55 miles. Its charter has since been still farther extended.
The Allegan and Marshall Rail-road Company, was in- corporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $400,000. The design of this road is to connect the village of Marshall, in Calhoun county, and Allegan, in Allegan county, and to pass through the villages of Battle Creek, in Calhoun, Com- stock and Bronson, in Kalamazoo. The charter requires 25 miles of it to be constructed in four years. The work is in active progress, and a considerable portion will soon be in operation. Its entire length when completed will be more than 50 miles. The State has loaned $100,000 to this company, to forward its construction.
The Monroc and Ypsilanti Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $400,000. The company have power to construct a road from some suita- ble point on the route which shall be designated for the
8*
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GAZETTEER
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
River Raisin and Lake Erie Rail-road, so as to connect with the same at or near the village of Monroe, passing Rawson's Mills, or near them, to some suitable point of intersection with the Detroit and St. Joseph Rail-road, to Yp- silanti. It is limited to commence in two years; to have 12 miles finished in four years, and the whole completed in eight years.
It remains in statu quo, being neither surveyed nor stock taken up. Its length would probably not be less than 25 miles.
The Kalamazoo and Lake Michigan Rail-road Compa- ny was incorporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $400,- 000. The road is to commence at the village of Kalamazoo, in Kalamazoo county, and terminate at the mouth of South Black River, in the county of Van Buren. Its charter re- quires its commencement in three years, the construction of 25 miles in six years, and the final completion of the whole in eight years. Its length will not be less than 40 . miles.
The Monroe and Ann Arlour Rail-road Company was incorporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $300,000. This road is to commence at the village of Ann Arbour, and to intersect the River Raisin and Lake Erie Rail-road, at or near the village of Monroe. Its commencement is limited to four years ; 12 miles to be finished in six years, and the entire route in eight years. Nothing further has been done for it. Its length is not less than 33 miles.
The Constantine and Niles Canal, or Rail-road Compa- ny was incorporated in 1836, with a capital of $250,000. It is to commence at Constantine, in St. Joseph county, and terminate at Niles, in Berrien county. The object is to connect the waters of the St. Joseph river by either ca- nal or rail-road, at those points. It is required by charter to commence in two years, and complete the whole route in eight years. Its entire length will not be less than 33 miles. Nothing done to forward the work.
The Detroit and Shiawassee Rail-road Company was incor- porated in 1837, with a capital stock of $500,000. The road is to commence at the city of Detroit, and terminate at the village of Shiawassee, passing through the villages of Farm- ington, Kensington, Howell and Byron. Its charter re-
91
OF MICHIGAN.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
quires it to commence in one year, to finish 25 miles in two and a half years, and complete the whole in six years. Its length will not be less than 85 miles.
The Saginaw and Genesee Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1837, with a capital stock of $400,000. The road is designed to commence at Saginaw city, and intersect the northern rail-road from St. Clair to Grand River, at such point in the county of Genesee, as may be deemed practicable. It must, according to charter, commence in one year ; 25 miles be put in operation in two and a half years, and the whole completed in six years. Its length will probably not be less than 40 miles.
The Gibraltar and Clinton Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1837, with a capital stock of $400,000. This road is to commence at Gibraltar, in Wayne county, and passing through Lisbon, terminate at Clinton, in the county of Lenawee. It must, according to charter, commence in one year ; 25 miles be finished in four years, and the whole completed in six years. Its length will probably not be less than 40 miles. From Gibraltar to Flat Rock, a canal is con- structing, one half of which is completed, and the remain- der will be in the course of the season, a distance of six miles, which will unite the Huron river with the Detroit.
The Owasso and Saginaw Navigation Company was in- corporated in 1837, with a capital stock of $100,000, the object of which is to improve the Shiawassee river, by making slack water navigation between Owasso and its confluence with the Flint river in Saginaw county, so that it may be navigated by barges and steamboats. It must, according to charter, commence in eighteen months ; one third be completed in three years, and the whole in five years.
The Pontiac and Huron River Canal Company was in- corporated in 1837, with a capital stock of $100,000. The object is to connect the village of Pontiac, in Oakland county, with the Huron river, by a canal. It is limited to commence in two, and to be completed in six years.
The River Raisin and Grand River Rail-road Compa- ny was incorporated in 1835, with a capital stock of $1,500,- 000. It was intended to connect the navigable waters of the
92
GAZETTEER
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
River Raisin with the navigable waters of the Grand River, commencing at the head of ship navigation of the River Raisin, passing through the city of Monroe, the villages of Tecumseh, Clinton and Marshall, to Grand Rapids. By the charter, it must commence in two years, finish 30 miles in six years, one half in 15 years, and the whole in 30 years. The road is surveyed from Monroe to Marshall, and the stock all taken up. Its length from Monroe to Grand Rapids, is not less than 150 miles.
The Macomb and Saginaw Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1835, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, de- signed to connect the Saginaw and Clinton rivers, com- mencing at Mount Clemens, in Macomb, passing through Lapeer, and terminating at Saginaw city, in Saginaw coun- ty. Its charter limits the commencement of the road to four years from the passage of the act of incorporation- 10 miles to be finished in eight years, one half in 15 years, and the whole in 40 years. The stock is taken. Its length cannot be less than 90 miles.
The St. Clair and Romco Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $100,000. It is designed to connect the villages of Palmer and Romeo, in the county of Macomb. It is surveyed, and the stock taken, and 10 miles under contract, and in progress of con- struction. The charter limits its commencement to two years-the completion of 12 miles in four, and the comple- tion of the whole in eight years. Its length is 26 miles.
The Shelby and Belle River Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $100,000. The road is to commence at the northern termination of the Shel- by and Detroit rail-road, at the village of Utica, in Macomb county, and pass northerly through the village of Romeo, to the Belle river, in Lapeer county. It must be commen- ced, according to charter, in two years-have 12 miles fin- ished in four years, and the whole completed in eight years. The stock is taken, but it is unsurveyed. Its length will not be less than 25 miles.
The Clinton and Adrian Rail-road Company was incorpo- rated in 1836, with a capital of $50,000. The road is to commence at Clinton, and terminate at Adrian, Lenawee
93
OF MICHIGAN.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
county. Its charter requires its construction in five years. The stock is all taken. Its length is 15 miles.
The five following roads are in part completed, and in progress.
The Erie and Kalamazoo Rail-road Company was in- corporated in 1833, with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The design of this road is to connect the navigable waters of the Maumee and Kalamazoo rivers. The road com- mences at Toledo, in Ohio, and passes through Sylvania, Blissfield, Palmyra and Adrian, and from thence it is to continue on the most eligible route, to such point on the Kalamazoo river, as may be deemed most proper and need- ful. By the charter, it is limited to commence in three years-to finish to the village of Adrian in six years-one half the road in 15 years, and to complete the whole in 30 years. From Toledo to Adrian, a distance of 33 miles, the road is finished, and it went into operation on the first of October, 1836. It has been surveyed through the re- mainder of the route, and it is in progress of construction. The point at which it will meet the Kalamazoo is uncer- tain, but supposing it to be at Marshall, in Calhoun county, the entire length of the road would not be less than 90 miles.
Abstract of statement of the Erie and Kalamazoo Rail- road, from Toledo, Ohio, to Adrian, in Michigan, 33 miles :
Cost of rail-road, buildings, two engines, cars,
wells, well-houses, and every thing, to 31st December, 1837, $257,659 72 (About $7,807 87 per mile.)
The expense of repairs, and running, up to said time, December 31st, 14,181 52
Earnings of road,
$55,821 52
Deduct expenses, &c., 14,181 52
Leaving profits for dividend, $41,640 00 or about 16 1-6 per cent. on whole cost of road, engines, property and fixtures.
The Detroit and Pontiac Rail-road Company was incor- porated in 1834, with a capital stock of $100,000, to con- nect the city of Detroit with the village of Pontiac, by rail- road. The charter limits its construction to six years. It is
94
GAZETTEER
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
finished, and has been for some time in operation, to Royal Oak, a distance of 12 miles. It is in active progress the re- mainder of the route, and the company confidently expect to have the whole completed by the first of May, 1839. Cost of construction, 12 miles, about $6,000, per mile. Length from Detroit to Pontiac, 241 miles. The company have received from the State a loan of $100,000, to forward its construction.
The Shelby and Detroit Rail-road Company was incor- porated in 1834, with a capital stock of $100,000. The object of this road is to connect Utica and Shelby with De- troit. It has been surveyed and located, and the stock ta- ken, and six miles, commencing at Utica, is under con- tract, and in progress of construction. The whole route is expected to be finished by the close of 1838. By its char- ter it was limited to commence in two years, and to be completed in six years. The time was afterwards extend- ed two years. Its length is about 23 miles.
The Palmyra and Jacksonburg Rail-road Company was incorporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $300,000. The route is from Palmyra through Tecumseh, Clinton, Manchester and Sandstone, to Jackson. It is required to construct 10 miles of the road in four years, and in ten years finish the whole route. It is surveyed, stock taken, and 12 miles, commencing at Palmyra, finished, and the remainder is expected to be completed by the spring of 1839. Its length is 46 miles. The State has loaned $20,- 000, to this company to forward its construction.
The River Raisin and Lake Erie Rail-road Company was incorporated in 1836, with a capital stock of $300,000. This road commences at La Plaisance Bay, in Monroe county, passes through the city of Monroe, and up the south bank of the river Raisin, through Dundee to Blissfield, where it is to intersect the Erie and Kalamazoo rail-road. A branch of this road is to commence at Dundee, and in- tersect the River Raisin and Grand River Rail-road, at the village of Clinton, in Lenawee county. It is limited to commence in two years, and to be completed in 10 years. It is surveyed, located, and the stock taken, and the work is in progress, and four miles, from its commencement to Monroe, completed. Its length, including the branch, is not less than 50 miles.
95
OF MICHIGAN.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- RAIL-ROAD AND CANAL COMPANIES.
The Auburn and Lapeer Rail-road Company was incor- porated in 1838, with a capital stock of $300,000, for the purpose of constructing a road from the county site of La- peer to the village of Auburn, in Oakland, where it is to intersect the Clinton canal. Its construction to be com- menced within one year-10 miles finished within two and a half years, and the whole to be completed within four years. Estimated length, 30 miles.
The Ypsilanti and Tecumseh Rail-road Company was incorporated in 1838, with a capital of $200,000, and authorized to construct a road from Ypsilanti, in Washte- naw, to Tecumseh, in Lenawee. Its construction must commence within two years, and be completed within four years. One hundred thousand dollars have been loaned by the State to this company, in aid of its construction. Es- timated length, 25 miles.
The Mottville and White Pigeon Rail-road Company was incorporated in 1838, with a capital of $100,000, to construct a road from Mottville through White Pigeon, to an undetermined point on the Indiana state line. Its com- mencement is limited to two years, and its completion to four years.
The Medina and Canandaigua Rail-road Company was incorporated in 1338, with a capital stock of $100,000, for the purpose of constructing a road from the village of Mo- renci through the villages of Canandaigua and Medina, to an indeterminate point on the southern rail-road, in Lena -. wee county. It must be commenced within two, and finish- ed within four years.
The following comprehends a list of the names of the several Rail-roads to be made under the auspices of char- tered companies, together with the estimated or ascertained length of each.
Name.
Miles. Name.
Miles.
Romeo and Mount Clemens,
15| Clinton and Adrian, 15
Erie and Kalamazoo,
90 Palmyra and Jackson, 46
Detroit and Pontiac,
25 Kalamazoo and Lake Michigan, 40
Shelby and Detroit,
23 Monroe and Ann Arbour, 50
River Raisin and Grand River, 150 River Raisin and Lake Erie,
Macomb and Saginaw,
90 Constantine and Niles, 33
85
Allegan and Marshall,
50 Saginaw and Genesee,
St. Clair and Romeo,
26 Gibralter and Clinton, 40
Shelby and Belle River,
25 Auburn and Lapeer, 30
Monroe and Ypsilanti,
25 Ypsilanti and Tecumseh, 25
Medina and Canandaigua.
Mottville and White Pigeon.
33
Detroit and Maumee,
55 Detroit and Shiawassee, 40
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GAZETTEER
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- TERRITORIAL ROADS.
The number of chartered Rail-roads is 24, and their ag- gregate length 1,011 miles.
Territorial Roads. The principal turnpike roads in Michigan, are what are termed the Territorial or State roads. They were all constructed by authority of the gene- ral government previous to her admission into the Union as a State. They are six rods wide, and they were originally well constructed. They all commence at Detroit, and have their termination in different sections of the State. There are five of them.
The first is the Detroit and Perrysburg State road, com- mencing at Detroit, and passing through Monroe, termin- ating at Perrysburg in Ohio. Its length is 65 miles.
A second, the Chicago State road, commencing at De- troit and terminating at Chicago, in Illinois, passing through Ypsilanti, Clinton, Saline, Jonesville, Coldwater, White Pigeon, Mottville, Adamsville and Bertrand, in this State. After leaving this State, it passes through the northern sec- tion of Indiana, passing along the southern coast of Lake Michigan, in the State of Illinois, to its termination at Chicago. The travel on this road is immense, equal to, if not more, than on any other in the United States of the same length. Its whole length is 254 miles.
A third, the Grand river State road, commences at De- troit and passes through Redford, Farmington, Kensington, and Howell, on to some point on the Grand river not yet determined. This road is only in part completed. It is the last work of the kind undertaken by the general gov- ernment while Michigan was a territory.
A fourth, the Saginaw State road, leading from Detroit through Pontiac, and Flint village to Saginaw. The whole distance is 100 miles.
A fifth, the Fort Gratiot State road, leading from De- troit through Mount Clemens to Fort Gratiot, a distance of 55 miles.
There are also State roads intersecting the Chicago road from Fort Wayne in Indiana, on the Maumee, and from the mouth of the Maumee river.
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