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

Georgia Southern & Florida Railway

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

1. Georgia Southern & Florida Railway Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1902 the GS&F bought the property of the Atlantic, Valdosta & Western Railway between Valdosta and Jacksonville. It also owned the Macon & Birmingham Railroad and the Hawkinsville & Florida Southern Railway. In 1917 the railroad reported owning 392 miles of line consisting of 285 miles from Macon to Palatka and 107 miles from Valdosta to Grand Crossing, near Jacksonville. The line's nickname was the Suwanee River Route. It crossed the stream, made famous by an 1850s Stephen Foster song, at White Springs, FL. A second Suwanee crossing, at Fargo, GA, came with the acquisition of the Atlantic, Valdosta & Western. Today the GS&F remains officially in existence as a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern. It no longer extends to Palatka, ending at Lake City instead. The NS main line is now the former Atlantic, Valdosta & Western to Jacksonville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 31° 58.204′ N, 83° 47.001′ W. Marker is in Cordele, Georgia, in Crisp County. Marker can be reached from Wall Street West west of

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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); Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railway (a few steps from this marker); Atlantic & Birmingham Railway (a few steps from this marker); Union Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Georgia Southern & Florida Railroad (within shouting distance of 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 . . . Georgia Southern and Florida Railway (Wikipedia). The Georgia Southern and Florida Railway (reporting mark GSF), also known as the Suwanee River Route from its crossing of the Suwanee River, was founded in 1885 as the Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad. The GS&F was eventually acquired by the Norfolk Southern Railway and still operates as

Marker detail: Up The Suwannee River image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Up The Suwannee River

(shows G. & F. S. Railway Bridge, Florida)

a subsidiary. As of November 2012, at least one operating Norfolk Southern locomotive retains GSF reporting marks. (Submitted on June 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

3. Georgia Southern & Florida Railway 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.

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 248 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.