Authors of Interurban book to speak at museum

In the days when roads were not paved, the Interurban allowed people and goods to get from one location to another in a predictable and dependable fashion. The first 30 years of the 20th century saw Interurban lines all over North America.

Today we might call it a commuter train or a light rail.

The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway operated the Interurban in this area. Carl Bajema, Jim Budzynski and Dave Kindem have recently published a book — “The Lake Line: GR, GH & M.” They will be the featured speakers at a program at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Jack Rollenhagen, a former Nunica resident, had collected photos of the Interurban line. Rollenhagen’s photos were the incentive for Bajema and Budzynski to begin researching the Interurban. Kindem joined in their efforts and the result is one of the most complete compilations about the history of the Interurban in this area.

This free program is open to the public. The authors will have copies of their books available for sale and signing. 

For more information, call the museum at 842-0700.