Springport

This was the New York Central depot in Springport, Michigan. This photograph continues my exploration of the LS&MS Lansing line ; there will be more photographs as I locate and/or take them. It also begins a brief exploration of Springport, which I visited one afternoon in 1988. According to this article by Frank Passic of Albion, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern tracks from Jonesville to Lansing were laid in 1872. The tracks north of Springport were removed in 1940, which made this little building a terminal until the southern tracks were removed in 1968. This building has been restored , and now looks like this . Certainly appears that it was being maintained in the 80s. Camera: Minolta Freedom 100 ========= This track was built by the Northern Central Michigan Railroad Company, which was a front for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern. The LS&MS was, in turn, a captive/component of the New York Central. You've likely noticed that I care about this built by/owned by/merged with/trackage rights detail. Many railfans talk this way. History majors generally like checking this stuff out....

Springport's depot is, and apparently always was, nestled in the local grain dealer's complex. Here's the first of a couple photos of that complex as it looked in 1988, according to my little Minolta.

Another 1988 photo of the grain elevator complex in Springport, Michigan. Camera: Minolta Freedom 100

You may have noticed the wood piles in yesterday's Springport photograph . Those were on the property of Love's Sawmill; for the next few days we'll be exploring that facility as it looked in 1988. As is often the case, this sawmill's a little raggedy. Camera: Minolta Freedom 100

The same equipment as yesterday's photograph , from another angle. And the surrounding environment. Love's Sawmill, Springport, Michigan; 1988. Photo taken with a Minolta Freedom 100. Small sawmill operations seem always to be pretty slapdash, but this one's different. I expected (but didn't find) large piles of sawdust on the grounds. Another surprise was that this downtown sawmill used an apparently-portable mill for the work. A third was that they didn't house that mill under a roof. As I said, different. My favorite picture in this set, by the way.

A closer look at the blade, and the mechanism which turns the blade. Love's Sawmill, Springport, Michigan; summer of 1988. Camera: Minolta Freedom 100

Another closeup of the machinery which runs the saw. Danged if I know what this stuff does, but it looks interesting. Springport, Michigan; 1988. Taken with a Minolta Freedom 100.

This photo shows how the pieces all fit together. Springport, Michigan; 1988. Camera: Minolta Freedom 100

And shake shingles! Another Springport photo.... This appears to be part of the Love's Sawmill complex, though this building does not show in any of the other pix. Wonderful old place, regardless. Camera: Minolta Freedom 100; 1988.