MICHIGAN HISTORY

Michigan Central Depot through the years

The impressive Michigan Central railroad station, with a two-story entrance and 16-story office building, was dedicated on Jan. 4, 1914. It was already nearly completed when the previous station, closer to downtown, was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1913. Its main waiting room was 230 feet long by 95 feet wide with an arched ceiling roughly five stories high.
The impressive Michigan Central railroad station, with a two-story entrance and 16-story office building, was dedicated on Jan. 4, 1914. It was already nearly completed when the previous station, closer to downtown, was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1913. Its main waiting room was 230 feet long by 95 feet wide with an arched ceiling roughly five stories high.
The Detroit News Archives
A father drafted into World War I kisses his child goodbye at the train station in Detroit.
A father drafted into World War I kisses his child goodbye at the train station in Detroit.
The Detroit News Archives
A World War I solider tries to steal one last kiss as the train leaves the depot.
A World War I solider tries to steal one last kiss as the train leaves the depot.
The Detroit News Archives
Men head off to World War I as family members watch.
Men head off to World War I as family members watch.
The Detroit News Archives
A mother cries at the train shed gates as she and others watch men head off to the first World War.
A mother cries at the train shed gates as she and others watch men head off to the first World War.
The Detroit News Archives
A stationmaster checks a passenger's ticket at Michigan Central Depot in an undated photo.
A stationmaster checks a passenger's ticket at Michigan Central Depot in an undated photo.
The Detroit News Archive
Gates lead from the concourse to the tracks at Michigan Central Depot. The 16-by-5-foot picture of the Detroit skyline was given to Michigan Central by The Detroit News on Feb. 23, 1930.
Gates lead from the concourse to the tracks at Michigan Central Depot. The 16-by-5-foot picture of the Detroit skyline was given to Michigan Central by The Detroit News on Feb. 23, 1930.
The Detroit News Archive
Artist Diego Rivera, right, arrives at Michigan Central Station on April 21, 1932. The 45-year-old artist was at the height of his fame when he was commissioned to create the "Detroit Industry" murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Artist Diego Rivera, right, arrives at Michigan Central Station on April 21, 1932. The 45-year-old artist was at the height of his fame when he was commissioned to create the "Detroit Industry" murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The Detroit News Archives
Young men drafted into the armed services arrive at Michigan Central station on November 30, 1940.
Young men drafted into the armed services arrive at Michigan Central station on November 30, 1940.
The Detroit News Archives
An aerial view of Michigan Central Depot, Aug. 13, 1937.
An aerial view of Michigan Central Depot, Aug. 13, 1937.
The Detroit News Archive
Michigan Central Depot, May 1, 1935.
Michigan Central Depot, May 1, 1935.
The Detroit News Archive
A cheese sandwich costs 30 cents in the Terminal Soda Bar on May 3, 1966.
A cheese sandwich costs 30 cents in the Terminal Soda Bar on May 3, 1966.
The Detroit News Archive
The station's barber shop iis seen in 1966.
The station's barber shop iis seen in 1966.
Eric Styrlander, The Detroit News)
The Twilight Limited headed for Chicago left at 5:15 p.m. on Track 3 on May 3, 1966.
The Twilight Limited headed for Chicago left at 5:15 p.m. on Track 3 on May 3, 1966.
The Detroit News Archive
The two-story entrance to the Michigan Central Depot is seen May 3, 1966.
The two-story entrance to the Michigan Central Depot is seen May 3, 1966.
The Detroit News Archive
The waiting room at the station is seen May 3, 1966.
The waiting room at the station is seen May 3, 1966.
The Detroit News Archive
The Michigan Central Depot tracks, June 23, 1973.
The Michigan Central Depot tracks, June 23, 1973.
The Detroit News Archive
Customers stand at a ticket booth March 11, 1981.
Customers stand at a ticket booth March 11, 1981.
The Detroit News Archive
Passengers line up for an Amtrak train on August 2, 1980.
Passengers line up for an Amtrak train on August 2, 1980.
The Detroit News Archives
By 1981, train passenger use was in decline.
By 1981, train passenger use was in decline.
The Detroit News Archive
Michigan Central Depot, Feb. 8, 1986.
Michigan Central Depot, Feb. 8, 1986.
The Detroit News Archive
The 11:40 to Chicago is the last train to leave Michigan Central Depot on Jan. 5, 1988.
The 11:40 to Chicago is the last train to leave Michigan Central Depot on Jan. 5, 1988.
David Coates / The Detroit News
This is a passenger's view of Michigan Central Depot from the last train that left the station, Jan 5, 1987.
This is a passenger's view of Michigan Central Depot from the last train that left the station, Jan 5, 1987.
David Coates / The Detroit News
While closed, the station is still intact in October 1989.
While closed, the station is still intact in October 1989.
The Detroit News Archive
The abandoned train station became a popular location for fashion shoots, like this one on the roof in 1998.
The abandoned train station became a popular location for fashion shoots, like this one on the roof in 1998.
Donna Terek, The Detroit News
The Michigan Central Depot two-story entrance is seen from inside the depot on April 6, 2008.
The Michigan Central Depot two-story entrance is seen from inside the depot on April 6, 2008.
Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News
By April 6, 2008, all the windows in Michigan Central Depot, now owned by Ambassador Bridge proprieter Matty Moroun, were gone.
By April 6, 2008, all the windows in Michigan Central Depot, now owned by Ambassador Bridge proprieter Matty Moroun, were gone.
Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News
Michigan Central Depot, April 6, 2008.
Michigan Central Depot, April 6, 2008.
Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News
The once-grand arcade is covered with graffiti April 6, 2008.
The once-grand arcade is covered with graffiti April 6, 2008.
Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News
The once-grand arcade is covered with graffiti April 6, 2008.
The once-grand arcade is covered with graffiti April 6, 2008.
Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News
Barbed wire and razor wire keep squatters out of Detroit's abandoned Central Train Depot. October 22, 2008.
Barbed wire and razor wire keep squatters out of Detroit's abandoned Central Train Depot. October 22, 2008.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
This is a view of the grand mezzanine inside the Michigan Central Depot, which was built for $15 million and designed by the same architects who designed Grand Central Station in New York City.
This is a view of the grand mezzanine inside the Michigan Central Depot, which was built for $15 million and designed by the same architects who designed Grand Central Station in New York City.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
A worker prepares the metal framework for replacement windows inside the mezzanine of the train depot in 2011.
A worker prepares the metal framework for replacement windows inside the mezzanine of the train depot in 2011.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
Broken windows are a common sight at the old train station in 2011.
Broken windows are a common sight at the old train station in 2011.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
Graffiti covers the stairwells inside the station in 2011.
Graffiti covers the stairwells inside the station in 2011.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
The mezzanine roof, littered with debris, and Roosevelt Park beyond are visible from the top of the 230-foot tower above the Michigan Central Depot in 2011.
The mezzanine roof, littered with debris, and Roosevelt Park beyond are visible from the top of the 230-foot tower above the Michigan Central Depot in 2011.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
The main floor inside the station is seen in 2011.
The main floor inside the station is seen in 2011.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
Weeds grow among the debris covering the top floor inside the Michigan Central Depot in 2011. The building's upper floors were never fully occupied.
Weeds grow among the debris covering the top floor inside the Michigan Central Depot in 2011. The building's upper floors were never fully occupied.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
Sunlight streams through gaping holes in the station's roof in 2011.
Sunlight streams through gaping holes in the station's roof in 2011.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
The Motor City Casino and Hotel is visible from the roof of the Michigan Central Depot, 18 stories (230 feet) above ground level.
The Motor City Casino and Hotel is visible from the roof of the Michigan Central Depot, 18 stories (230 feet) above ground level.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
This is a view from just inside the main entrance to the abandoned, but recently cleaned up Michigan Central Train Depot in Detroit. (2011)
This is a view from just inside the main entrance to the abandoned, but recently cleaned up Michigan Central Train Depot in Detroit. (2011)
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
The now illuminated Michigan Central Depot station is seen in October 2012.
The now illuminated Michigan Central Depot station is seen in October 2012.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
A detail from the train station's ornate exterior, photographed in 2015.
A detail from the train station's ornate exterior, photographed in 2015.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Dozens of new windows began to be installed in October 2015.
Dozens of new windows began to be installed in October 2015.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
In September 2017, the first major civic event in decades was held at the old train station when about 400 former Detroiters and local business and civic leaders shared a meal for the fourth annual Detroit Homecoming program.
In September 2017, the first major civic event in decades was held at the old train station when about 400 former Detroiters and local business and civic leaders shared a meal for the fourth annual Detroit Homecoming program.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Detroit Homecoming IV guests explored the ground floor of the building in September 2017.
Detroit Homecoming IV guests explored the ground floor of the building in September 2017.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
The American flag is seen through the front entrance during the Detroit Homecoming event in September 2017.
The American flag is seen through the front entrance during the Detroit Homecoming event in September 2017.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
A highlight of the Detroit Homecoming event was a light show of changing colors from the windows.
A highlight of the Detroit Homecoming event was a light show of changing colors from the windows.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Detroit Homecoming Ceremony at Michigan Central Depot in Detroit, Michigan on September 13, 2017. (Image by Daniel Mears / The Detroit News).
Detroit Homecoming Ceremony at Michigan Central Depot in Detroit, Michigan on September 13, 2017. (Image by Daniel Mears / The Detroit News).
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Wendy Hilliard and Ilyse Kaplan look over the view from the 13th floor of the Michigan Central Depot facing south, on September 13, 2017.
Wendy Hilliard and Ilyse Kaplan look over the view from the 13th floor of the Michigan Central Depot facing south, on September 13, 2017.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
This aerial view of the former train station was shot from an airplane in October 2017.
This aerial view of the former train station was shot from an airplane in October 2017.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
March 19, 2018: Word gets out that Ford Motor Co. is exploring ways to become a major presence in Corktown, including possibly acquiring the Michigan Central Depot.
March 19, 2018: Word gets out that Ford Motor Co. is exploring ways to become a major presence in Corktown, including possibly acquiring the Michigan Central Depot.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News