Learn how electric rail once connected West Michigan communities during “Muskegon and the Interurban,” a special evening lecture exploring the rise and decline of the interurban railway system that served West Michigan in the early 20th century.
Held Thursday, March 19, from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Muskegon Museum of History and Science, this program examines the electric interurban line that operated in Muskegon from 1902 to 1928, linking Muskegon with Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and smaller communities along the route. Through historical context and local insight, attendees will learn how the interurban shaped daily life, commerce, and travel before eventually giving way to new modes of transportation.
The lecture explores the system’s rapid rise, its impact on Muskegon’s growth, and the factors that led to its decline, offering a deeper understanding of a transportation network that once played a central role in the region’s identity.
Admission is free for museum members and Muskegon County residents, and $5 for non-residents. Advance registration is encouraged. Register at: zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/
“For a time, the Interurban fundamentally changed how people moved through Muskegon County and the broader West Michigan region,” said Lakeshore Museum Center’s Program Manager Pat Horn. “This special program helps put that history into context, showing how the system shaped everyday life and why its story is still relevant when we think about transportation today.”
For more information about “Muskegon and the Interurban,” visit lakeshoremuseum.org/event/
