Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-09
NEW DEPOT IS ASSURED
MAY Be BUILT on CRANBERRY STREET
Milwaukee Road Also to Extend Switch to
Main Line for Passenger Sersice-Inter.
esting Interview With Official.

ut is a positive fact that we intend
to erect at Grand Rapids a large
brick and stone depot, as fine as anv
in the state, outside of Milwaukee. -
These welcome words were spoken to
representative Of the REPORTERlast
Thursday by Louis Jackson, industrial
commissioner of the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & st. Paul railroad.
Mr.. Jackson had come here from
! Chicago to look up the matter of a
site for the new depot and also to
make arrangements for the extending
of the so-called Garrison switch to
connect with the main line north of
the city. Mr.. Jackson emphaticallv
cOrrOborated the statements made bv
the REPORTER two months ago to the
effect that every effort will be made
by the Milwaukee road to bring the
depot to the center of the city and
make such other improvements in the
service as will be commensurate with
the rapid growth of Grand Rapids.
"These improvements are not mere
half-formed thoughts, but realities:"
said Mr. Jackson. actual work will
begin as soon as we have made the
necessary arrangements and we hope
very short time"
Mr. jackson is not stranger in
Grand Rapids. In fact, from bis talk
and actions anyone would take aim
for one of the most live and epthusiaS-
tic citizens. He firmly believes in
Grand Rapids. II tell you he
exclaimed, ''many Of you people here
don't know or appreciate what you
have got. In twenty years from now
this city will have population of
$4,000. We railroad people know it
and are preparing for this tremendous
growth. There is no reason why
Grand Rapids should not finally out
grow both Oshkosh and La Crosse.
From its fine location it is easy to
predict this good future. Your city
is already one of the greatest railroad
centers in the state. Here you have
excellent water power, which, if
properly utilized, will bring many
desirable manufacturing industries,
Years ago | looked forward to this
growth for Grand Rapids. / knew
then of the water power, the railroad
facilities and the abundance of raw
material-and the wise union of these
three factors would push her to the
front rank OF western cities"
In speaking of the proposed improve
mentS Of his road he said I'VE want
to extend the Garrison switch through
to the main line. This will bring our
passenger service to the center of the
city. 1t is planned to put up a depot
on Cranberry street, facing the river.
For this purpose the Pomainville
block property would be the most
desirable. We are willing to pay
good prices fCg real estate in order to
carry out the plans"
Being asked what he thought of
the Wisconsin Central, Mr.. Jackson
replied: Il firmly believe that the
Central road will put it's main line
through here. The company has
already made plans to build bridge
across the river at this point.''
The citizens of Grand Rapids will
certainly be pleased to hear that
these extensive Improvements both by
the Milwaukee and the Central roads
are about to become realities. It is
certain that every loyal member of
the community will do everything
possible to aid. A great deal depends
upon the cooperation Of tie citizens
if they will not show any enthusiasm
for their city it cannot hope to attain
that prominence predicted by Mr..
Jackson. But fortunately there are
great number of wide-awake men
here, and the spirit of progress has
long dwelt in the hearts and heads of
the inhabitants. Grand Rapids has
therefore nothing to fear. Her future
never looked brighter than it does
today.