Tour the grandeur of Michigan Central Station in 17 historic photos

24 February 2022 Written by DCH News
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Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

Detroit’s transit depot has an exciting future, but here’s what it looked like in its heyday

For years, Michigan Central Station was a symbol of decline, ruin, and frustration in Detroit.

Since the last train left in 1988, it went through a lengthy period of deterioration. Notorious speculator Matty Moroun bought the depot in 1995 and did little with it. Open to the elements until windows were installed in 2015, it was looted, vandalized, scrapped, and threatened with demo.

Now that Ford is redeveloping the iconic station, many are hopeful it will be restored to its former glory. By all appearances, the automaker seems to be trying to faithfully recreate the historic features, especially its grand lobby.

In its heyday, Michigan Central Station would see thousands of people coming in and out of the bustling station or working in the offices above. Let’s take a step back in time to see what Michigan Central Station once was through these historic photos.


Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Interior view of Michigan Central Railroad Station, showing arcade with vaulted ceiling, 1916.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Interior view of Michigan Central Railroad Station, 1916.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of travelers inside Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of empty waiting room in Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Waiting Room, View of leather chairs, rocking chairs and round tables in wood-paneled room with arched windows.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of waiting room in Michigan Central Railroad Station. Boxes piled on floor and on benches; chandeliers suspended from barrel-vaulted ceiling. 1977

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of newsstand at railroad station.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of ticket office at Michigan Central Railroad Station, framed by columns, 1916.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of travelers waiting in line at gates to tracks inside Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of entrance to tracks, Michigan Central Railroad Station. Wrought-iron gate separates lobby from tracks; painting of Detroit skyline displayed over gate.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of uniformed employee taking tickets from passengers entering gate for Track No. 3 at the Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Postcard. Interior view of Michigan Central Railroad Station. Room has decorative brickwork; paned windows; wrought-iron balcony and skylight in ceiling.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Postcard. View of tunnel corridor to train shed at Michigan Central Railroad Station.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of men arriving at Michigan Central Railroad Station for Chalmers Motor Company sales convention, 1915.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of several cars parked in bays under arch at Michigan Central Railroad Station, 1913.

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
View of Michigan Central Railroad Station with Canadian Pacific trains in foreground, 1927

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Birds-eye view of Michigan Central Railroad Station, 1913.