The Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railway (HW&M) is a defunct railroad which operated in southeast Michigan

Southeast Michigan

Southeast Michigan, also called Southeastern Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that is home to a majority of the state's businesses and industries as well as slightly over half of the state's population, most of whom are concentrated in Metro...

 during the early 1870s. Although the company was chartered in 1865, construction from Holly

Holly, Michigan

Holly is a village in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,086 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Holly Township. It is about south of Flint and northwest of Detroit.- Demographics :...

 toward Monroe

Monroe, Michigan

Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...

 did not begin until 1870. The company had experienced financial difficulties, and apparently received help from the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad

Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad

The Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad is a defunct railroad which operated in the U.S. state of Michigan between 1857 and 1899. It was one of the three companies which merged to become the Pere Marquette Railway.-Early history:...

 (F&PM) before the latter bought it out in 1872. The line reached Milford

Milford, Michigan

Milford is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,175 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Milford Township.- Geography :...

 and Plymouth

Plymouth, Michigan

Plymouth is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,132 at the 2010 census. The City of Plymouth is an enclave completely surrounded by Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan.-Geography:...

 (where it crossed the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Rail Road

Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Rail Road

The Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad is a defunct railroad which built and operated the first rail line between Detroit and the state capital Lansing...

) in 1871, and Monroe in 1872. That same year the F&PM bought the HW&M, and it ceased to exist as an independent company.