Welcome to the Home Page of the
Western Michigan Industrial Heritage Society
PO Box 273, Coopersville, MI 49404
a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the Preservation, Renovation and Education of the equipment, tools and supporting structures that built Western Michigan.

As you read this, much of the early industrial equipment used to build West Michigan is rotting, rusting or being cut up and sold for scrap. The Industrial Heritage Society's goal is to preserve this early heritage for the edification of future generations.

The Industrial Heritage Society is an off-shoot of the Coopersville and Marne Railway. The railway is an all volunteer railway and realized they would not be able to raise the funds necessary to renovate structures and rolling stock. Conversations among volunteers were overheard by the then presidents' son, Ryan Byle. In June of 2000, on his own initiative, Ryan compiled all the volunteers' dreams into a Future Plans document outlining the plans of the railway volunteers.

In August of 2000 tragedy struck. While helping his father prepare the train for an excursion outing, Ryan collapsed and died from a heart dysfunction. This Society and its mission is now dedicated to the enthusiasm and initiative Ryan exhibited for the Society's goals. Using Ryan's document as a mission statement, in March of 2001, principle members of the railway filed with the State of Michigan for incorporation as The Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage.

The Society held its organizational meeting 11 July 2001 where officers and a board of directors were elected. Subsequent to the organizational meeting, application for non-profit, 501(c)(3), status was made to the Internal Revenue Service. The Society was formally recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity in an IRS letter of acknowledgment dated 13 June 2002. This status was verified and renewed 30 January 2007. Click here for a PDF version of these documents.

The initial projects being undertaken by the Society are the purchase and renovation of a handicap accessible passenger coach that will be operated on the C&M Railway and the preservation of the Spring Lake, MI Interurban railway depot.

The Handicap Accessible Rail Car Project was the impetus for the development of the Industrial Heritage Society and is written into the purpose statement in the articles of incorporation. Although not equipped to handle handicap riders, the C&M Railway occasionally helped facilitate handicapped rider excursions. The enthusiasm and appreciation expressed by these individuals made it clear that there was a need for this type of service in the area. Additional need and interest in this type of service was substantiated by a survey of Social Activities Directors from retirement facilities in the West Michigan area.

The goal is to purchase a suitable rail car, outfit it with a handicap lift, and provide necessary handicap accessible facilities to accommodate the special needs of physically disabled individuals. The Coopersville & Marne Railway has provided a letter of intent to operate the car and provide educational, historical and railway safety information to its riders.

Rail car specifications were identified and in November of 2005 the Society acquired a former Pullman coach originally christened, La Reine. Click Here to find out more about the history and plans for this car.

The Spring Lake Depot was part of the first daily commuter line established in 1902 which ran from Grand Rapids, MI to Muskegon, MI with a spur through Spring Lake to Grand Haven, MI. The building was saved from demolition and now sits on the C&M Railway right of way in Coopersville, MI. It is currently used as a storage building but plans are to restore it to its original condition and use it for educational displays and meeting space.

For information about membership, donations, or contributions e-mail, write or call:

Ed Hanenburg, President, 15585 68th Ave, Coopersville, MI 49404
ehanenburg@allcom.net, 616-837-7307

Jeff DuPilka, Vice-President, PO Box 188, Allendale, MI 49401
JDuPilka@westshorefire.com, 616-895-4347

Philip Cok, Sec/Treasurer, 179 W Randall St., Coopersville, MI 49404
philip@marketingmanagementllc.com, 616-997-7387