The Interurban Electric Railway LbNA #65133
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jul 12, 2013 |
| Location: | Lee Street |
| City: | Wyoming |
| County: | Kent |
| State: | Michigan |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | chaching  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Angel Winks |
| Last found: | Aug 15, 2013 |
| Status: | Fa |
| Last edited: | Jul 12, 2013 |
The Interurban Electric Railway
The era of the electric train in West Michigan was brief, the production of the automobile sealed its doom, though today many would welcome its return. Little visible evidence exists to the blind eye. In its it short life the interurban railroad had a huge impact on our community the population of Wyoming township nearly triple providing an inexpensive transportation from the commercial center of Grand Rapids all the way to the lake shore of Holland.
The Grand Rapids and Holland Line opened July 9, 1901 had stops along Galewood, Beverly, Wyoming Park, Elmwood (now Roys Ave), Ivanrest, Grandville and Jenison. They were fast, cheap and comfortable; around trip would cost a quarter. To find the Railway Letterbox we must travel to the Business District of Wyoming Park Corner of Lee and Porter Streets.
Now being fitted as a shoe repair business, many things have occupied this small building including coffee shop, video games, and grocery store. In the day of the Interurban Railroad this small cafe would employ a cook and up to 3 waitresses.
After an incredible short walk enjoy some ice cream at the Wyoming Park Interurban Train Station; near a small marker commemorating S.W. Wilson promoter of Wyoming.
Today a good place to take your dog for a groom this building and neighboring liqueur store was home to Paul Gezon’s Store a great place to pick up groceries and merchandise.
Mixing the old with the new and in theme with this treasure hunt Hobby Recycling is the place to go for all your train needs.
Heading south across the way find the Veterans Memorial and flagpole. Wyoming was once home to one of the largest 4th of July Celebrations in the area.
Careful as it’s now time to break the law, Though illegal jay walking is common practice on this stretch. Cross the street when traffic allows this to happen safely then head west.
Lee Street has a habit of vanishing and reappearing, In the distance on the south side of Porter Street we can see that this magical street has reappeared.
Can a street be a clue. Lee Street is set on an angle and is much wider than other streets in the area. Lee Street was the route Grand Rapids-Holland Line. It eventually connects with Chicago Drive also set at an angle for this purpose.
Follow Lee Street SW until it magically disappears again this time into a building Rand Communications, what they do I don’t know but the large antenna gives a hint.
Look for a Church with no name, in the day of the Interurban Railway the Seventh Day Adventist called it home. Walk between these two building to the parking lot to the back of the church.
Look for a small passage, now a short cut to get to 7 Eleven. Avoid the temptation to veer to the side passages.
These side paths were actually once the rail bed of the Lake Shore and Southern Railroad, a wooden trestle allowed the electric railway to cross over the top. This bridge was removed in 1932.
Look for a planted grove at the end of Winfield.
A bike path will lead the way were Lee Street should be. This was once the route of the Interurban. Many of these houses saw its demise.
Odd is it may seem this is not Wolverine Country though its colors grace the poles at the end of Lamar Ave and Wolverine Crane and Services can be seen across the field. If fatigued take a rest on bench swing the owners don’t mind.
Amazingly Lee Street has reappeared. An well-aged split rail fence leads the way. Walk along this road the Railroad is where the power lines now stand.
A rather interesting house on the corner of Roy’s and Lee far off to the distance, odd as it may seem this was once the Elmwood Station.
Lee turns into a narrow passage. It seems neither Wyoming nor Grandville want to take claim of this road that connects the two. Though this is where the railroad once roomed.
To the south a passage leads into the woods blocked by a barrier to keep the dumpers out follow this path.
Approximately 14 paces from the barrier look for a narrow path that heads west towards Grandville. Take this Trail.
Approximately 14 paces up this trail is a break in the heavy foliage to the north of the trail.
Enter this clearing (note there is both Poison Ivy (3 leaves) and Poison Oak (5 leaves) in the area.
When the clearing becomes nearly impassable look to the right a small pile of broken branches hides The Interurban Railroad letterbox.
The Interurban Railroad in its day traveled just a few feet away from here until it ended operations in the 1930’s.
Please be careful after stamping to return safely concealed.
The era of the electric train in West Michigan was brief, the production of the automobile sealed its doom, though today many would welcome its return. Little visible evidence exists to the blind eye. In its it short life the interurban railroad had a huge impact on our community the population of Wyoming township nearly triple providing an inexpensive transportation from the commercial center of Grand Rapids all the way to the lake shore of Holland.
The Grand Rapids and Holland Line opened July 9, 1901 had stops along Galewood, Beverly, Wyoming Park, Elmwood (now Roys Ave), Ivanrest, Grandville and Jenison. They were fast, cheap and comfortable; around trip would cost a quarter. To find the Railway Letterbox we must travel to the Business District of Wyoming Park Corner of Lee and Porter Streets.
Now being fitted as a shoe repair business, many things have occupied this small building including coffee shop, video games, and grocery store. In the day of the Interurban Railroad this small cafe would employ a cook and up to 3 waitresses.
After an incredible short walk enjoy some ice cream at the Wyoming Park Interurban Train Station; near a small marker commemorating S.W. Wilson promoter of Wyoming.
Today a good place to take your dog for a groom this building and neighboring liqueur store was home to Paul Gezon’s Store a great place to pick up groceries and merchandise.
Mixing the old with the new and in theme with this treasure hunt Hobby Recycling is the place to go for all your train needs.
Heading south across the way find the Veterans Memorial and flagpole. Wyoming was once home to one of the largest 4th of July Celebrations in the area.
Careful as it’s now time to break the law, Though illegal jay walking is common practice on this stretch. Cross the street when traffic allows this to happen safely then head west.
Lee Street has a habit of vanishing and reappearing, In the distance on the south side of Porter Street we can see that this magical street has reappeared.
Can a street be a clue. Lee Street is set on an angle and is much wider than other streets in the area. Lee Street was the route Grand Rapids-Holland Line. It eventually connects with Chicago Drive also set at an angle for this purpose.
Follow Lee Street SW until it magically disappears again this time into a building Rand Communications, what they do I don’t know but the large antenna gives a hint.
Look for a Church with no name, in the day of the Interurban Railway the Seventh Day Adventist called it home. Walk between these two building to the parking lot to the back of the church.
Look for a small passage, now a short cut to get to 7 Eleven. Avoid the temptation to veer to the side passages.
These side paths were actually once the rail bed of the Lake Shore and Southern Railroad, a wooden trestle allowed the electric railway to cross over the top. This bridge was removed in 1932.
Look for a planted grove at the end of Winfield.
A bike path will lead the way were Lee Street should be. This was once the route of the Interurban. Many of these houses saw its demise.
Odd is it may seem this is not Wolverine Country though its colors grace the poles at the end of Lamar Ave and Wolverine Crane and Services can be seen across the field. If fatigued take a rest on bench swing the owners don’t mind.
Amazingly Lee Street has reappeared. An well-aged split rail fence leads the way. Walk along this road the Railroad is where the power lines now stand.
A rather interesting house on the corner of Roy’s and Lee far off to the distance, odd as it may seem this was once the Elmwood Station.
Lee turns into a narrow passage. It seems neither Wyoming nor Grandville want to take claim of this road that connects the two. Though this is where the railroad once roomed.
To the south a passage leads into the woods blocked by a barrier to keep the dumpers out follow this path.
Approximately 14 paces from the barrier look for a narrow path that heads west towards Grandville. Take this Trail.
Approximately 14 paces up this trail is a break in the heavy foliage to the north of the trail.
Enter this clearing (note there is both Poison Ivy (3 leaves) and Poison Oak (5 leaves) in the area.
When the clearing becomes nearly impassable look to the right a small pile of broken branches hides The Interurban Railroad letterbox.
The Interurban Railroad in its day traveled just a few feet away from here until it ended operations in the 1930’s.
Please be careful after stamping to return safely concealed.