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. Click to hear the inscription.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Georgia & Albany Railway (here, next to this marker);

Marker detail: Public Fountain, Americus, Ga. image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Public Fountain, Americus, Ga.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Atlantic & Birmingham Railway (here, next to this marker); Georgia Southern & Florida Railway (a few steps from this marker); Union Depot (a few steps from this marker); Georgia Southern & Florida Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Emerson Brown (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 . . . 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.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

3. Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway Marker

(CSX 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.

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 102 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.