Vernon Center
Later Durand, Michigan

Vernon Center in 1875.

Located in Vernon Twp. on land owned by May Miller, William Young and Dr. L.D. Jones in 1836. William H. Putnam acquired some of it and had James C. Brand plat and record the village as Vernon Center, named for its location in Vernon Twp.

A Post Office opened here on May 8, 1876 with Mr. Putnam serving as it's first postmaster. It was given the name of Durand, after a congressman from the 6th District named George H. Durand.

Incorporated as a village in 1887 and a city in 1932.

The population was 4,283 in 1990; housing units was 1,564 in 1990; location is 42°55'N 83°59'W; land area is 1.71 square miles (1,096 acres) elevation is 796 feet. Zip Code is 48429.

Today, Durand is located in southeast Shiawassee County at the junction of M-71 and Interstate 69.

This community developed its diverse economy around the railroad, being situated at the cross sections of two very busy lines, complete with a Victorian style depot built by the Grand Trunk at the turn of the century.

The depot still operates a ticket window for Amtrack passenger service and houses the State of Michigan railroad museum.

The city park also displays a "vintage" loco and tender, complete with an old fashioned banjo signal announcing its presence.

Durand in it's heyday, boasted over 100 trains aday.

Here we are at the 'DIAMOND'...Durand, Michigan

Below....Durand Depot as it looks today.

Here we see a southbound Ann Arbor Motor Car

Bronze monument downtown Durand

Michigan Historic Site Marker

Durand boasted that at one time it had over 100 trains passing through it every day. Durand Union Station was built in 1903, razed by fire a few months later and rebuilt in 1905. This photo was taken May 26, 1951. The train on the left is #56, bound for Detroit from Muskegon, the center train is #17, bound for Chicago from Port Huron and on the right is #21, bound for Muskegon from Detroit.

The decline of rail traffic started at the end of WWI and culminated in 1974 when Grand Trunk determined it could no longer justify the cost of maintaining the building and it was abandoned.

The old depot's destruction appeared imminent, but the community rallied to save it and in 1979 the City purchased it for $1.00. Since then, it has become the State Railroad History Museum.

Michigan Railroad History Museum

200 Railroad Street

Durand, MI

517-288-3561

Trace the history of railroads in this official state museum dedicated to the development of railroads in Michigan. Special exhibits include a former baggage car, a working HO-scale train and trolley display and a former Grand Trunk Western steam locomotive.

Durand had one of the few completely round brick Roundhouses in the nation.

The Shop and Roundhouse at Durand, Michigan dated 1909

Flower Garden at the Depot circa 1910

Railroad YMCA at Durand Michigan