Cordele in Crisp County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

1. Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad Marker

Inscription. Chartered in 1884 and headquartered in Americus, the narrow-gauge AP&L reached Richland in 1885 and Lumpkin in 1886. Shortly after getting a charter amendment in December 1886, it was extended on the west side to Louvale, opening to that small community in the spring of 1887. A much longer extension of 60 miles soon took the railroad to Abbeville, on the Ocmulgee River. This extension opened in November 1887. In 1887 the railroad had four locomotives and 69 cars of various types, according to Poors 1888 Manual.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 31° 58.2′ N, 83° 47.024′ W. Marker is in Cordele, Georgia, in Crisp County. Marker can be reached from Wall Street West west of 7th Street North (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Cordele Railway Park, overlooking multiple active railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Wall Street West, Cordele GA 31015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Joseph Emerson Brown (here, next to this marker); Georgia Southern & Florida Railroad (here, next to this marker); Union Depot (a few steps from this marker); Atlantic & Birmingham Railway (a few steps from this marker);

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Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Georgia & Albany Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Georgia Southern & Florida Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol of Georgia Site • 1865 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cordele.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Cordele Railway Park

Also see . . .
1. Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad (Wikipedia). The Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad was a historic, 3-foot narrow gauge railroad in the state of Georgia in the United States. In 1888, it was reorganized as the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway. (Submitted on May 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad. In 1884, several Americus, GA investors led by Samuel Hawkins, a legendary Georgia railroad builder, chartered the narrow gauge Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad. By 1887, the line reached from Americus through Richland to Lumpkin and Louvale. An extension from Louvale to Chattahoochee

Marker detail: 1892 Windsor Hotel in Americus image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: 1892 Windsor Hotel in Americus

River was completed in 1890. The line was also extended eastward from Americus to Abbeville on the Ocmulgee River, on which the company operated steamboats to Savannah and Brunswick. It was the only railroad in Georgia to be constructed using only local capital. (Submitted on May 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

3. Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad Marker

(freight train heading west in the background)

Cordele Railway Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

4. Cordele Railway Park

(looking north from Wall Street West • marker and passing freight train visible in background)Cordele Railway Park has an observation platform, parking area, and a large green space. Historic markers detailing the railroad history of Cordele overlook the tracks. Cordele has a rare type of switch called an interlocking or “Diamond” switch where CSX, Norfolk Southern and Heart of Georgia mainlines all cross one another at one location. This is an excellent place for railroad fans to watch trains.

Windsor Hotel, Americus, Georgia image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

5. Windsor Hotel, Americus, Georgia

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on May 31, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.