All Aboard! America’s Oldest Depot Is in Jackson, Michigan

If you feel like you've been doing the same job in Michigan for too long, meet the Jackson Amtrak Station, which has been clocking in every day since 1873. Yep — this brick beauty on East Michigan Avenue is the oldest continually operating train station in America, and it's still showing up to work like it's got something to prove.

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Architectural Style & Michigan Woods Inside

Great American Stations reports that Michigan Central Railroad hired Henry R. Gardner — not an architect, but a "master builder," which sounds like a title from LEGO: Industrial Revolution Edition. He whipped up an Italianate masterpiece featuring Michigan woods like heart pine, ash, oak, and walnut — because nothing says "travel in style" like a depot that doubles as a lumber museum.

Jackson’s Golden Era: Nine Directions & Rail Hub Status

In its heyday, Jackson's station was busier than Detroit's. Trains shot out in nine directions, making Jackson the state's original transportation hub. Forget planes and highways — if you wanted to go anywhere, Jackson was basically the center of the universe for Michigan.

Modern Use: Amtrak, Riders & Revenue

Amtrak gave the place a facelift in the late '70s, and the place still looks suitable for its age — even if it creaks a bit when it rains. Today, the station serves 18,000 riders a year and racks up nearly a million bucks in ticket sales, proving that Michigan history — like a stubborn grandparent — refuses to slow down.

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So next time you hear a train whistle (or get caught on Windsor waiting for a long freight train to pass), remember: That's 150 years of pure Michigan perseverance, still right on schedule.