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Michigan Central Railroad Depot (1890)
Three newspaper articles about the construction of new depot.

Contributed by Alan Flood (August 2005)

Three articles about new depot:

1. April 23, 1890: Jackson Street Boom.
2. May 6, 1890: Notice to Contractors.
3. September 28, 1890: Dining Palace.

Bay City Daily Tribune -- Wednesday, April 23, 1890 (Page 5)

JACKSON STREET BOOM.
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What the New Depot Has Done For That Thoroughfare.
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Ferris Bros.' Handsome New Buliding With Others.
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It may have been a little long in coming, but it has come at last. The boom has finally reached North Jackson street, and every stone that is placed in position in the new Michigan Central depot adds to the value of property along that thoroughfare. The boom started away back over a year ago, when the foundation of the new depot was laid, and it has been growing ever since proportionate to the growth of that structure. Jackson street is pretty well built up with comfortable residences from First street to Center avenue, but the road is no credit to the place. The fact is that in muddy weather the driveway is almost lost sight of in the slush and mire. When the mud dries up of course it is better, but then the track left by vehicles along the thoroughfare is devious, winding like a mountain foot path around ridges and hillocks, the like of which is rairly to be found outside of a country village. But all this will be changed. When that enterprising citizen, Richard Ferris, noticed the boom first move in the direction of Jackson street he decided to have that thoroughfare paved and circulated a petition. He succeeded in getting the required number of petitioners--for Mr. Ferris knows not what it is to fool with any enterprise --and at the last meeting of the council Jackson street was ordered graded from the new depot to Center avenue and paved for the same distance with cedar blocks with cobblestone gutter and Medina stone curbing. What'll be the matter with Jackson street when all this is done?

The probability is that Jackson will soon become a business street, all the handsome residences in the vicinity of the new depot giving place to large blocks. Frank Lefevre is putting up a large and modern brick hotel near the depot. The Ferris brothers have almost completed the erection of a handsome business block at the southeast corner of Third and Jackson streets. This building, when finished, will be one of the handsomest and most substantial in the city. It is 100x30 feet, two stories high and was designed by Architects Pratt & Koeppe. Ferris Bros. have done the building on the day plan. The front of the structure is handsomely faced with stone and has a balcony, the interior of which is painted a stone grey. The main entrance is at the northwest corner of the building. The front part, back about fifty feet will be occupied by the Ferris brothers as a grocery store. The rear part is fitted up as a cellar, as it was impossible to put in a basement on account of the lack of drainage. The upper story will be fitted up as living rooms. There will be a stairway leading up from the north side and an outside iron stairway on the south. It is expected that the building will be completed by June 1, when Jackson street will have one of the best groceries in the city. As an instance of how property has advanced in value on Jackson street within the past few months, it may be said that three lots on the opposite side of the street from the Ferris building were held at $450. each only a short time ago. Now the owner asks $1,500. apiece for the lots.

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Bay City Daily Tribune -- Tuesday, May 6, 1890 (Page 7)

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS-- Sealed proposals will be received at city comptroller's office until Monday, May 12, 1890, and opened at 3 o'clock p. m. of that day, for furnishing materials for and grading, draining and paving Jackson street 26 feet wide from north line of Center avenue to north line of First street, as specified in resolution passed by common council, and according to plans and specifications now on file at comptroller's office. Parties tendering bids are required to accompany the same with the names of two responsible sureties, who shall agree in writing to become security, in such sums as this board shall require for the faithful performance of such work. We hereby reserve the right to reject any and all bids.

Board of Public Works,
DANIEL A. MARSHALL, Chairman.
WM. KEITH, Secretary.
Bay City, Mich., April 29, 1890.

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NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS-- Sealed proposals will be received at City comptroller's office until Monday May 12, 1890, and opened at 3 o'clock p. m. of that day, for furnishing materials for and grading, draining and paving street and alley crossings on Jackson street, 36 feet wide from north line of Center avenue to north line of First street as specified in resolution passed by common council, and according to plans and specifications now on file at comptroller's office. Parties tendering bids are required to accompany the same with the names of two responsible sureties, who shall agree in writing to become security, in such sums as this board shall require for the faithful performance of such work. We hereby reserve the right to reject any and all bids.

Board of public works,
DANIEL A. MARSHALL, Chairman.
WM. KEITH, Secretary.
Bay City, Mich., April 29, 1890.

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Bay City Times - Sunday, September 28, 1890 - Page 31.

DINING PALACE.
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A Place Where You Can Eat With Comfort -- Luxury Predominates.
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The new Michigan Central depot in this city is one of the finest architectural monuments in Michigan. Not alone is it a picture of beauty as a depot, but there are other attractions that are linked in with the institution that make it inviting and attractive. The dining room is one of the finest equipped eating places in the state. The large hall is beautifully decorated, finely finished, and in appointments and equipments complete in detail. Mr. W.S. Troup, the Manager, is a genial gentleman, experienced in the business, and looks well for the accomodations of his guests. We were ushered into the kitchen, a large, clean commodious room, where everything appeared in business form, and in keeping with a first class institution. There were large store rooms, cooking departments,the exclusive dish-washing department, and an elaborate ice cooling room for the reception and storage of perishable goods of every description. The entire plan is carefully carried out in construction for the conveniences of the business, and a more thorough and practical place we have never seen. The large range used for the cooking department is a modern one, the help is first class, and experience and competency is a predominating feature at every hand. A lunch counter occupies a conspicuous position in the main dining hall, and the hungry traveler may secure just as much as he may desire and the accomodations are in strict accordance with prudence and economy. The dining and lunch halls of the M. C. railroad depot are modern and in keeping with progression, and a credit to the city, and if you are looking for a good meal, or a luxurious lunch, don't forget where you get them.