A Train Station Railroad Station built by  the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad in Harbert, MI

Chicago and West Michigan Railroad Station, Harbert, MI

     At one time there was  train station in Harbert, MI.  The area around where Harbert was located was originally known as Greenbush. 

     A small two.story depot was built in 1889 in Harbert, MI

The Railroad Station was built by the Chicago and West Michigan. Railway, which later became.part.of the Pete Marquette Railroad and eventually the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad

     Historical Impact: The town was originally named Greenbush but was renamed Harbert when the station was established. The station was highly critical to the local economy, acting  as the main transit hub to ship produce, fruit from local orchards and goods from a thriving local pickle factory to Chicago and Detroit

  Distance ice from Habert, MI station to New Buffalo is 8.3 mi  Precise closure date is unknown.

Carl Sandburg Historic Plaque 2

Carl Sandburg Historic Plaque in Harrbert Community Park

     Carl Sandburg

In 1926, author and poet Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) and his family rented a summer home on Lake Michigan, near the town of Sawyer, MI  Two years later, Sandburg purchased several lots in Harbert, MI.  His wife Lillian (1883-1977), whom he called Paula, designed and supervised construction of a beachfront three story home that would become their year round residence for the next 17 years. Sandburg  rode the train from Harbert to Chicago to  return to his office at the Chicago Daily News as needed. When he stayed up all night writing, his wife Lillian left breakfast and coffee by his office door.  While living near here, Sandburg completed several books  including a volume of poetry called The People: Yes, Steichen the Photographer,and the Pulitzer Prize winning multi-volume set Abraham Lincoln: the War Years.

Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge (Tower Drive Bridge)

Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge

    The Frigo Memorial Bridge is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and is a structurally sound  tied arch bridge carrying four lanes traffic over  I 43 over the Fox River.  It is fully opened and safe for traffic

Length and dimensions: Total length is 1.51 miles, width 80.1 ft, height 203 feet, clearance below 120 ft, and longest span 450.2 ft

Opened in 1981

Location North Side of Green Bay, Wisconsin, spans the.Fox River just south of its mouth into Green Bay

Official name  Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge (formerly Tower Drive Bridge);renamed in 2002 in honor of civic leader Leo Frigo,a local civic  and philanthropic leader

Chikaming Goat Farm

Historic Plaque in Harbert Community Park

Chikaming Goat Farm

     From 1928 to 1946, poet Carl Sandburg and his family lived in a beachfront home near here. When he took breaks from writing, Sandburg walked in the sand dunes or studied Lake Michigan from his deck.  Often, he entertained friends by singing and playing songs on his guitar. His wife Lillian developed an interest in farming, and in 1935, purchased a small herd of goats.  They named their property Chikaming Goat Farm after an early Native American Tribe in the area. Lillian’s goat breeding program increased, the herd earned national recognition for high milk production. Seeking a milder climate the Sandburg family moved to North Carolina in 1945. In an interview for a local paper Sandburg said” I’ve traveled from coast to coast and I find Harbert best of all. Lake Michigan is beautiful and I love this spot”

Railroad Hotel New Buffalo, MI

Scale Model in the Railroad Museum

     The Pete Marquette Railroad established extensive operations in New Buffalo, MI in the early 20th century including new tracks, coaling stations and a round house.  As part of this development in 1921, the railroad constructed a 56 room hotel to serve passengers and railroad employees.  This hotel was associated closely with the railroad yard, which was a major stop on the Pete Marquette mainline west line, providing lodging and amenities for passengers and staff.

     The hotel contributed to New Buffalo’s growth as a rail hub and complemented the town’s broader transformation as a lake resort.  While the surrounding area had earlier resort hotels and summer camps dating to  1893 and the late 19th century, the Pete Marquette Hotel was uniquely tied to railroad operations and designed to accommodate the increasing number of travelers during the railroad boom. The hotel’s construction coincided with other railroad improvements, such as engine facilities and coaling stations, marking 1921 as a pivotal year in New Buffalos railroad linked development.

     Architecturally, the building is rectangular with brick construction. Its design emphasized stability and durability.

     The Pere.Marquette Hotel in New Buffalo , Michigan was built in 1893 by termed and entrepreneur Isaac O. Smith to accommodate travelers heading to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago

     The upper floor closed years ago.  The lower level of the building continued to serve rail road related functions. It has integrated into the New Buffalo Railroad Museum

Hotel Rio New Buffalo, MI

    The Hotel Rio (often.called.The Rio on the Beach ) was a landmark restaurant and hotel built on the sand dunes of New Buffalo, Michigan, around 1930.  Local.lore suggests parts of the structure originated from.the 1893 Chicago.World’s Fair.before being moved to the New Buffalo Shoreline.

Origins and Operations

   Establishment:  Built.on the dunes and current beach park.area in.1930, operating as popular gathering spot and resort destination.

     Community. Hub:served as a local touchpoint , including hosting the initial 1956 meeting that established the New Buffalo Yacht Club

   Tourism and local sign fiance

The Rio contributed to New Buffalo ‘ transformation from a small railroad town into vacation destination. 

     The Hotel operated for at least 25 years before closing.

Hotel Rio

Historic 1898 Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Station Green Bay, Wisconsin

     The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Station is located at 200 Doousman Street Green Bay Wisconsin. It was built in 1899. It was designed by the archectural firm of Frost and Granger. The architectural style  is Italian Renaissance Revival.  The exterior is constructed of red orange brick and features a 3 part design.

     Southern Block

This 2 story  brick segment historically functioned as the main passenger depot.

     Northern Block

This 2 story brick section served  the utilitarian baggage and freight area.

     Historically single story brick.connecting corridor links the passenger and baggage block into.one unified structure.

Key Architectural Elements Companile Clock Tower

     Building defining landmark is a dramatic 5 story Italianate Tower dominating the Southern Block.  It features a large clock face visible  to the surrounding downtown Broadway district

Roofline

     Both primary 2 story blocks are capped  with a classic , low pitched roofs that extend into wide eaves. 

Fenestration Facade breaks up the building brick work with a series of tall prominent windows and grand arched entry ways that welcome passengers arriving from adjacent platform tracks.

     Currently the entire exterior profile and its historic masonry are fully.preserved with the extensive track facing windows serving as a main scenic feature of the restaurant dining room in the building