Cordele in Crisp County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021
1. Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway Marker
Inscription.
Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway. . In December 1888, the SA&M was organized as the successor to the Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad, a narrow-gauge line running from Louvale, near the Georgia-Alabama state line, to Abbeville, on the Ocmulgee River. The change was made by a group headed by Americus. The company also acquired four or five steamboats upon reaching Abbeville. This provided a company-owned connection to the coast by way of the Ocmulgee and Altamaha rivers. In December 1888, the AP&L changed its name to the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway. An all-rail connection to Savannah was made in 1890.
In December 1888, the SA&M was organized as the successor to the Americus, Preston & Lumpkin Railroad, a narrow-gauge line running from Louvale, near the Georgia-Alabama state line, to Abbeville, on the Ocmulgee River. The change was made by a group headed by Americus. The company also acquired four or five steamboats upon reaching Abbeville. This provided a company-owned connection to the coast by way of the Ocmulgee and Altamaha rivers. In December 1888, the AP&L changed its name to the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway. An all-rail connection to Savannah was made in 1890.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1888.
Location. 31° 58.204′ N, 83° 47.009′ 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.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Cordele Railway Park
Also see . . . Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway (Wikipedia). In 1891, the railroad reached Montgomery, Alabama. At its peak, the railroad had a length of 340 miles. In 1895, the SA&M went bankrupt and was reorganized into two separate railroads, the Georgia and Alabama Railway and the Albany and Northern Railway. (Submitted on June 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: Public Fountain, Americus, Ga.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021
3. Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway Marker
(CSX freight train heading west in the background)
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.
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 223 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
