Where is this?
A depot, a water tower and three clues
An old real-photo postcard of a station somewhere in the valley. Can you name the town?
Project Scroll · · 1 min read
A small wooden depot. A water tower on iron legs. A field of tall grass, and not one person in sight. The card’s caption has been cut off, and the station sign blurred.
Clue one. The railroad here was the Michigan Central’s Air Line, which ran from Jackson to Niles.
Clue two. The town is in Cass County, east of Cassopolis.
Clue three. The Air Line came through in 1871, and the station was set up the same year.
Show the answer
Vandalia. The caption at the foot of the card reads “R.R. Station Vandalia Mich.” The town’s other cards show the same depot with a train at the platform, and with passengers and a baggage cart. The Air Line between Jackson and Niles was abandoned in 1937.
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First published 22 October 2026. Like all our pages, it is expanded from time to time with new records, pictures and features. No factual corrections have been needed so far.
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