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The Days of the Old Stage
Women Pose in Old Stage Coach (Photo not dated)
The photo above was likely taken in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. The women depicted seem to be having fun in the “old stage coach.” One suspects that, even then, the stagecoach could evoke the “romance” of the old frontier.
Michigan Stage Routes
Christian Clemens established a weekly stagecoach route between Detroit and Mount Clemens (a town that Clemens founded) in 1822. In his article “On the Michigan Stage” (Michigan History magazine, Sept/Oct 2005), LeRoy Barnett cites Clemens’ 1822 route as “the first concrete evidence of a stagecoach running in Michigan.”
Detroit naturally became a hub for stagecoach lines. Several stagecoach routes began in 1826, connecting Detroit to Toledo, Ann Arbor and Pontiac. Service expanded to Niles around 1830 and to Chicago by 1833. A stage connected Detroit to Lansing (established as the capital in 1847) by 1852.
Grand Rapids served as a hub in the Western part of the state. It first became accessible by stage in 1833. Afterwards, service to and from Grand Rapids greatly expanded. By 1856, the city could boast eleven regular stage lines. (For more on stage routes in Michigan, see the aforementioned article by LeRoy Barnett.)
The Stagecoach and the Tavern
Taverns tended to spring up along roads traveled by stagecoaches. For a fee, tavern visitors could receive a bed and/or a meal. In Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State, Willis F. Dunbar notes that “accommodations were crude and often inadequate, but food was abundant and friendliness the rule.” The Walker Tavern, now part of the Michigan Historical Museum system, provides a connection to that era. Purchased by the Walker family in 1843, it proved a popular stop for stagecoach passengers traveling from Detroit to Chicago. For more information on Walker Tavern, click here: Walker Tavern Web Site
The End of the Era
Stagecoach service declined as railroad service became more readily available. Contrary to popular belief, however, stagecoaches did not completely disappear until the age of the automobile. LeRoy Barnett notes that thirty-seven stagecoach lines were listed in 1897 Michigan gazetteers and that four stagecoach lines were still running in Michigan as late as 1927.
Ad for Detroit and Lansing Stage, 1856
I’m loving these articles. Thank you for all you do to preserve and inform!
I grew up in East Detroit, now known as East Point, and previously known as “Halfway” between Detroit and Mt. Clemens. I believe the Romeo Plank road is known as one of the early stage routes.
I live in Lawton, MI (Porter Twp.) My father has told me many times about a stage route that stopped at a watering station adjacent to his childhood home. He mentioned that it was a route between South Bend and Kalamazoo? The station was set up near a natural spring. Location of the station is just south of the Village of Lawton, east side of M 40 Hwy, between 72nd ave. and CR 669.
Seeking any info. or resources you may offer.
Sanders S. – I’m not familiar with that particular stage route. I suggest checking Michigan gazetteers and Kalamazoo city directories for various years. One of those sources may lead you to the name of the stage line. Having that name may lead you to further information. Kalamazoo local history books might also provide some clues.
A MEL (Michigan Electronic Library) search on Michigan gazetteers turns up these results: http://bit.ly/aUZOfb
A MEL search on Kalamazoo city directories turns up these results: http://bit.ly/bGn3Zb
You could also try contacting the Western Michigan University Archives, since they house historical sources on the Kalamazoo area. Here is the url of their Web page: http://www.wmich.edu/library/archives/
I recently found out my Great-great grandfather, John Shear was the “horse surgeon” for the Detroit to Grand Rapids line. Since they resided in New Hudson (the Inn is still in use as a tavern and has been continually since it was built (1830′s)and the New Hudson Inn was the stage stop (family members used to have the sign; NO.VII)I assume the line ran the Grand River trail.
Trying to find more information.
I just purchased a rural home in Colfax twp, Wexford County, Michigan. I’ve been told the original structure was a stage coach stop between Cadillac and Traverse City in the late 1800′s. I’m wondering how I can find information on stage routes of northern Michigan. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Robb Letts
New Hudson being stop No VII (Number 7) makes sense since I’ve recently learned that the town of Novi got it’s name because it was stop number 6 (NoVI) and hence the name of the town… interesting