Blountstown in Calhoun County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

M & B Railroad

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2022

1. M & B Railroad Marker Side 1

Inscription. For 63 years (1909-1972) the Marianna and Blountstown Railroad was Calhoun County's link to the railroads and commerce of the nation. Sometimes known as "Many Bumps" or "Meat and Bread," the M&B had a significant impact on the lives of Calhoun Countians.

Until 1929, before automobile travel was commonplace, the M&B provided passenger service. Farmers used the railroad to ship a wide array of agricultural products. In the early years, logging spur lines extended into remote areas of the county and millions of board feet of long-leaf pine lumber were shipped from local sawmills. The M&B also carried mail, manufactured goods and building products.

During its operation, the 29-mile-long line was Florida's shortest railroad. Until 1938 it ran 16 miles farther south to Scotts Ferry. Steam locomotive #444 was in operation when the M&B's first diesel engine arrived in 1947 and rests today on the exact location of the M&B roadbed.

Erected 1992 by Rep. Robert Trammell in cooperation with the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-339.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 30° 26.755′ N, 85° 2.723′ W.

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Marker is in Blountstown, Florida, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and North Pear Street, on the right when traveling west on Railroad Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blountstown FL 32424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cochranetown - Corakko Talofv (approx. ¼ mile away); Blunt Reservation and Fields (approx. ¼ mile away); Calhoun County War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Apalachicola Tribal Town Mekko John Blount (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Old Blountstown" Courthouse (approx. 1.6 miles away); Governor Fuller Warren (approx. 2.2 miles away); Liberty County Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Abe Springs Bluff Courthouse (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blountstown.

M & B Railroad Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2022

2. M & B Railroad Marker Side 2

M & B Railroad Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2022

3. M & B Railroad Marker

M & B Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2022

4. M & B Railroad

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,473 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.