St. Marys in Camden County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Industry finds St. Marys:
Riding the Rails
— St. Marys History Walk —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
1. Riding the Rails Marker
The state of Georgia issued a charter in 1856 for a St. Marys “Rail-Road” company. Shortly after Lemuel Johnson moved to St. Marys in the early 1900s, “the city of St. Marys granted land to his railroad…In 1908 the tracks connected St. Marys with the rest of the world and the St. Marys and Kingsland Railroad came into being.” (Camden’s Challenge).
In the late 1920s, a rail car, called the Toonerville Trolley, was the main form of transportation between St. Marys and Kingsland. “See you in the funny papers!” originated from Roy Crane in his 1935 nationally-syndicated Wash Tubbs & Easy comic strip, which featured many local personalities who once rode this rail car.
Erected 2016 by David & Norma Schmitz and R&R Heidgerken.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 30° 43.298′ N, 81° 33.246′ W. Marker is in St. Marys, Georgia, in Camden County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bartlett Street and St Marys Street West, on the left when traveling north. Marker located within the St. Marys History Walk. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Industry finds St. Marys (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Industry finds St. Marys: (here, next to this marker); The Forgotten Battle (here, next to this marker); The Forgotten Battle’s (a few steps from this marker); Weathering (a few steps from this marker); The Last Battles of The War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Georgia’s Coastal Gem: (a few steps from this marker); Ships Under Sail: (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Marys.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
2. Riding the Rails Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
3. Photo Insert Left: Toonerville Trolley on the Turntable St. Marys, 1933
Courtesy of Georgia Archives, vanishing Georgia Collection, Image: CAM280
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
4. Photo Insert Middle: Toonerville Trolley Around Town St. Marys 2013
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
5. Photo Insert Right: First Locomotive from St. Marys to Kingsland St. Marys c 1908
Photo courtesy of Georgia Archives, Vanishing Georgia Collection, Image: CAM21
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
6. St. Marys History Park markers from a distance
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 7, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
