Milton in Santa Rosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Blackwater Heritage Trail History

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2016

1. Blackwater Heritage Trail History Marker

Inscription. The trail follows the path of the former Florida and Alabama Railroad. Built in the early 1900’s, it extended from the lumber mill in Bagdad to Whitley, Alabama. The F&ARR supported the timber and lumber business in Bagdad from 1930 to 1939, when the line was closed with the coming of WWII and the establishment of NAS, Whiting Field. The rail line was rebuilt in the early 1940’s to supply aviation fuel to the base.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 30° 38.127′ N, 87° 2.409′ W. Marker is in Milton, Florida, in Santa Rosa County. It can be reached from Alabama Street (State Road 87A) south of Chaffin Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located near the playground area on the south side of the Blackwater Heritage State Trail Visitor Center parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5533 Alabama Street, Milton FL 32570, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pensacola

and on the Florida Panhandle.

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It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marquis Bayou Bridge (approx. 0.8 miles away); Imogene Theatre (approx. 0.9 miles away); Milton Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Liberty Tree (approx. 0.9 miles away); U.S.S. Kenneth Whiting AV-14, Ship’s Bell (approx. 0.9 miles away); Unknown Soldier (approx. 0.9 miles away); “Gone But Not Forgotten” (approx. 0.9 miles away); National Guard Of The United States (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milton.

More about this marker. This is a large, painted, wooden marker.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Bagdad Lumber Mill

Also see . . .
1. A Short History of Florida Railroads (By Gregg Turner).

Blackwater Heritage Trail History Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2016

2. Blackwater Heritage Trail History Marker (tall view)

The Bagdad [Florida] Land and Lumber Company operated the Florida and Alabama Railroad, a logging line that connected Bagdad with Milton, Red Rock, Munson, and Whitey, Alabama. The 44-mile route was partially constructed by Stearns & Culver Lumber and Finished by the Bagdad concern around 1914. At Milton, connections were made with the L&N. At Munson, railroad headquarters, a 19-mile branch departed the mainline for logging and turpentine camps in Alabama. The Florida & Alabama conveyed pine logs and occasionally ran passenger train service. After the Bagdad mill closed in 1939, the F&A was abandoned. (Submitted on September 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Bagdad Land & Lumber Company logging engine #3 derailed - Svea, Florida. The engine used the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) main line from just south of Yellow River Bridge, Milligan to Milton then its own line to Bagdad. Accompanying note: the locomotive was an ex-Georgia & Carolina #326. After Bagdad L & L #3 it went back to Georgia & Carolina and then to Geneva Mill Company #4 for $8,200 in March 1918. (Submitted on September 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Trail History Marker (<i>wide view from parking lot; playgound in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

3. Trail History Marker (wide view from parking lot; playgound in background)

Heritage Trail Visitor Center (<i>view from Alabama Street; turn here to access marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2016

4. Heritage Trail Visitor Center (view from Alabama Street; turn here to access marker)

Blackwater Heritage Trail (<i>view north along trail from marker; Visitor Center on left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2016

5. Blackwater Heritage Trail (view north along trail from marker; Visitor Center on left)

Blackwater Heritage Trail (<i>view south along trail from marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2016

6. Blackwater Heritage Trail (view south along trail from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 609 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.