Name/Title
The Interurban Era in Holland, MichiganEntry/Object ID
2019.35.104Description
During the little more than a quarter-century, the Interurban existed on tracks from Grand Rapids to Holland and later to Saugatuck. The aura and excitement produced stories of everything from romance to employment. These people cherished their memories as they recalled those days with anecdotes that “grew,” bringing grins and regrets as they were reiterated.
Passengers enjoyed the Interurban for the first time Monday, July 4, 1898. Holland’s ticket office was in the First State Bank building at 4 E.Eighth St. on the southeast corner of Eighth Street and Central Avenue.
According to Donald L. van Reken’s 1981 book “The Interurban Era in Holland, Michigan,” the train carried almost a million people early in its operation. During 1904, operating on 43 miles of track, a total of 978,470 passengers rode the rails. That summer an estimated 12,000 people attended the Farmers’ Picnic.
Following a trek on Eighth Street, the Interurban turned south on River Avenue to 13th Street and then west, finding destinations as far as Virginia Park, Jenison Park, Macatawa Park and then south to Saugatuck.
On the way to Grand Rapids, stops were made at Zeeland, Vriesland, Forest Grove, Jamestown, Shack Huddle, Jenison and Grandville.
On Jan. 10, 1900, the Interurban company experienced its first major setback when a car barn fire in Virginia Park destroyed 10 cars and a snow plow. The facility was located on West 160th Avenue, midway between South Shore Drive and 32nd Street.
The cars were in a shed next to the power house. The cause of the fire remained a mystery. By April 10, 1900, three cars were running, and new car barns were built by October 14, 1900.
At least 49 people were killed in fatal accidents involving the trolley beginning Sept. 1, 1901. The last mishap, an automobile-train collision at Andree’s Crossing in Jenison, occurred Sept. 13, 1926, and killed Lewis Mosher and Martin Van Oss.
Interurban superintendent Clare Taylor of Holland said when the Interurban ceased running, at least 100 men were out of work. He said 50 of those laid off were from Holland and 15 from Virginia Park.
-- Randy Vande Water is a Holland resident. Contact him at newsroom@hollandsentinel.com.
credits:
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20141116/entertainmentlife/141119464Collection
BooksLexicon
Search Terms
Interurban, Holland, Michigan, Street-railroads -- Michigan -- Holland., Street-railroads., Michigan -- Holland.Book Details
Author
van Reken, Donald L.Publisher
van Reken, Donald L.Date Published
1981Call No.
385.5 VANNotes
168 p. : ill. ; 28 cm biblioCreate Date
August 13, 2020Update Date
May 2, 2023