Michigan's Vanishing Train Stations: Architecture, History and a Sense of Place

Michael H. Hodges, Detroit News reporter, will discuss his new book, Michigan's Historic Railroad Stations on Tuesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library. In his book, Hodge photographs and profiles 31 depots across the state, from Detroit to Three Oaks to Iron Mountain. Hodges will present a slideshow and discuss the functional and stylistic evolution of the train station over the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the range of styles architects employed to both tame and exalt rail transportation. With references to news accounts, literature and film, he will also examine the central role the train station once played as the nation's principal crossroads— a much-used, much-loved public space that has no real analogue in American life today. Rochester native Michael H. Hodges covers art and architecture for The Detroit News, where he's worked since 1991. After the presentation, books will be available for purchase.

Registration is required and open to those with a Rochester Hills Public library card. To register, go to http://calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900.

The Rochester Hills Public Library is located in downtown Rochester two blocks east of Main Street off of University Drive on Olde Towne Road. For more information, call 248-650-7124.