The Savannah And Memphis Railroad 1874 Marker

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Alexander City in Tallapoosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Savannah And Memphis Railroad 1874

By Tim Carr, May 2, 2009

1. The Savannah And Memphis Railroad 1874 Marker

Inscription. The transformation of Youngsville from a country hamlet to a market town can be traced from the arrival of the railroad. The Savannah and Memphis Railroad was completed from Opelika to the east side of the Tallapoosa River at Sturdivant in 1872. Anticipating the extension of the railroad to Youngsville, the grateful citizens in 1873 changed the village’s name to Alexander City in honor of Edward Porter Alexander, president of the S & M. On June 24, 1874 an excursion train pulled by an engine christened Simon Suggs steamed into Alexander City bringing dignitaries and visitors who joined thousands of residents to celebrate the inauguration of rail service. A passenger-freight depot erected in 1874 and rebuilt after the 1902 fire stood on the opposite side of the railroad from this site until relocated to Court Square in 1955.

Erected 1999 by Alabama Historical Association.

Location. 32° 56.694′ N, 85° 57.207′ W. Marker is in Alexander City, Alabama, in Tallapoosa County. Marker is at the intersection of Broad Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Broad Street. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexander City AL 35010, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles

By Tim Carr, 0502/2009

2. The Savannah And Memphis Railroad 1874 Marker

of this marker, as the crow flies. Court Square (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Alexander City: A Textile Community (about 600 feet away); The First Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); First United Methodist Church 1872 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Youngsville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Needmore 1873 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Menaw, War Chief (approx. 6.1 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Alexander City.

By Tim Carr, 0502/2009

3. The Savannah And Memphis Railroad 1874 Marker

The Railroad Passing Through Downtown Alexander City Photo, Click for full size

By Tim Carr, May 2, 2009

4. The Railroad Passing Through Downtown Alexander City

Looking East Bound toward Downtown Alexander City Photo, Click for full size

By Tim Carr, May 2, 2009

5. Looking East Bound toward Downtown Alexander City

The Norfolk and Southern Steam Excursion Train Passing Through Alexander City, Alabama. Nov 1990 Photo, Click for full size

By Tim Carr, November 10, 1990

6. The Norfolk and Southern Steam Excursion Train Passing Through Alexander City, Alabama. Nov 1990

N&W A1218 steam locomotive pulling the Norfolk and Southern Railroad steam excursion train through Alexander City on the way to Columbus, Georgia from Birmingham, Alabama.

By Bernie Lindsey, 1874

7. The Savannah And Memphis Railroad 1874 Marker

Grand Excursion flyer, 1874

Credits. This page originally submitted on March 15, 2010, by TRCP Alliance of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 771 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 15, 2010, by TRCP Alliance of Birmingham, Alabama. 7. submitted on March 25, 2012, by Bernie Lindsey of San Diego, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.