Ann Arbor Car Ferries
The Ann Arbor Car Ferries connected the States of Wisconsin and Michigan via Lake Michigan and was a favorite shipping route for Marinette and Menominee area business and industrial firms for approximately 75 years.
The Toledo Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railway, predecessor to the Ann Arbor Railroad brought car ferries to Marinette and Menominee in 1894. The Ferry traveled between the Twin Cities and Frankfort Michigan by way of the Sturgeon Bay Canal 3 times weekly. Tuesday, Fridays and Saturdays. The first trip on July 4, 1894, and carried railcars of Lumber and passengers. In 1887 Ann Arbor carried 2,760 carloads of freight out of Marinette and Menominee of which 2,149 were Lumber.
The average 80.2-mile trip was scheduled to take a little over 8 hours but with Ice during the winter this was not always the case. Looking at Eagle Star records from 1895 show articles stating: 1/25/1895-Ann Arbor Ferry survives 4 days and 40 miles of ice to reach the Twin Cities, 2/13/1895-Dynamite to be used to free Ann Arbor Ferry from 8 to 10 feet of Ice. The list goes on and on with other types of mishaps including an article on 1/23/1895 where the Ann Arbor swept away thousands of dollars of fisherman’s nets while passing through the waters.
Many individuals young and old alike who lived during the era remember not only the economic impact the Ferry had on Marinette and Menominee. But also, the enjoyment it provided area citizens who would go to the slip behind Lighthouse Pier in Menominee and view the huge ships first backing up to pier. Then watch the adjustable apron and tracks being cranked up to match the dock with the ships hold and observing the boxcars disappearing into the belly of the vessel.
Many local people became passengers on the ferry. They first could watch their cars being loaded into the hold along with the boxcars and then spend the 8-hour tour in the small cabins which were provided or too lounge on the deck.
“It was a magical time for many in a day when things moved at a much slower pace.“
The Car Ferry service grew steadily and reached its high in 1965 but then as faster and more reasonable methods of shipping became available by March of 1970 the service was ended.
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Marinette County Historical Society 