Train Depot turned Museum
It all began with Vicksburg’s old train station, built in 1904
Today, the restored Union Depot is part of the Vicksburg Historic Village, home to over 25,000 artifacts currently held by The Vicksburg Historical Society and displayed in its various buildings.
A Chronology
1847 – The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway received a land grant to build a north-south line through Vicksburg.
1870 – The last rail was spiked between Kalamazoo and Vicksburg, as work from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Vicksburg was completed. A frame depot was erected, which later burned and was replaced by today’s structure
1872 – The Peninsular Railroad, later to become the Grand Trunk, put through an east-west line, making Vicksburg a two-railroad town.
1903 – The Grand Rapids Press announced plans for a new brick and stone Union Depot estimated to cost $5,000.
1904 – Railroad workers moved into the new building.
1920 – Grand Trunk operations were taken over by the Canadian National Railway System.
1922 – The Pennsylvania Railroad purchased the G. R. & I.
1968 – The last Pennsy passenger train stopped in town, and the Pennsylvania Railroad merged with the New York Central to become the Penn Central.
1971 – The Last Grand Trunk Western passenger train stopped at the Depot.
1974 – All freight service discontinued and a movement by Vicksburg Historical Society is begun to preserve the building.
1976 – The Penn Central merged into a new railroad known as Conrail.
1979 – Conrail discontinues service on tracks from Portage to Sturgis.
1998 – CSX Corporation acquires Conrail.
1982 – Renovation of the building by high school building trades classes begins.
1983 – The Village of Vicksburg purchases the depot for $1.00, and signs a long-term lease for land around the building.
1990 – A grant from the Vicksburg Foundation completes the building, and it is dedicated as a museum.
Today – Approximately 60 freight trains pass through Vicksburg during a 24-hour period.
