Letter from E.P. Goodrich to Ann Goodrich, 1851

01

Artifact Overview

This 1851 letter describes a trip on the Michigan Central Railroad from Detroit to Chicago. Author E.P. Goodrich colorfully relates the trials of mid-19th-century rail travel. Equipment breakdowns, smoke, and cinders were common, and average speeds were low. Because the Michigan Central wasn't completed into Chicago until 1852, Goodrich finished his journey by steamboat from New Buffalo across Lake Michigan.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Letter (Correspondence)

Date Made

26 June 1851

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2012.0.3.8

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Handwriting

Dimensions

Height: 9.75 in
Width: 7.875 in

Letter from E.P. Goodrich to Ann Goodrich, 1851