The first section of what is now the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Co. passing through Lowell was incorporated as the Oakland and Ottawa Railroad Company under Act No. 234 of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, approved April 3^rd, 1848, to build a railroad from Pontiac to Lake Michigan. This line was not constructed until 1855, at which time, after consolidation with Detroit and Pontiac railroad, and the consolidated lines named Detroit and Milwaukee Railway Company. In that year construction was commenced from Pontiac, reaching Fentonville, now Fenton, the same year, Owosso in 1856, St. Johns in 1857, month of January, to Ionia Sept. 1857, and Ionia to Grand Rapids through Lowell, the road was placed in operation July 12, 1858.

At the time of the reorganization of the line, twenty years later, the name was changed to the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway Company and later in 1928 the various lines owned by the Grand Trunk Railroad Co., in Michigan, including the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway Co., were consolidated under the one corporation name, The Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company.

It is presumed that the first depot in Lowell was constructed in the early part of 1858, and W.W. Hatch hauled the first load of freight to that depot. The station at that time was built on the south side of the tracks and attached to the west end of the what at the present time is the freight shed. The building, since changed and added to, is apart of the first depot in Lowell. The office and waiting room now in use are a part of that structure, having been moved across the track to its present location and altered.

Little, if any record is to be had of the actual construction work in connection with the building of this first railroad in Western Michigan. The difficulties, romance, and adventure, must of necessity be left to the imagination.

The operation of the modern railroad as compared to the old days is of interest to all. The queer looking equipment, short trains and small cars, the link and pin method of coupling cars, the only means of bringing a train to a stop being hand brakes which were operated by members of the train crew running over the top of the car to turn tight the brakes on each car. For engine fuel, wood cut in three-foot lengths was purchased from the settlers, making it a source of income for them.

Lowell was a fueling station for all trains, wood being piled up along the tracks during the earlier days and a coal dock was located here until the year 1912 at which time it was moved to Ionia.

The first Lowell agent for the line, of whom we have record, is F.O. Taft, following him A.O. Heydlauff, who was agent for many years, and died in 1909 while still agent. He was succeeded by E.A. Anderson, 1909 and 1918. Baggagemen were Oscar Hogan, W. T. Tuer and Arthur Bentley in the order named up to the year 1906, when Lewis Morse was employed in that position and is at the present time so employed. The first section foreman of whom we have record is Pat O’Brien, following him in 1897, Wm. Drew, who retired in 1915 on account of ill health. Pat Finan, up to 1906 was crossing watchman; we have no record of his first employment. He was followed in that year by Chas. E. Shepard, father of the present section foreman, Theo. Shepard, and employed at that position until he was pensioned off in 1920.