Carrollton in Pickens County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Carrollton Short Line Railroad

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 30, 2021

1. Carrollton Short Line Railroad Marker

Inscription. The Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company in 1897 announced plans to build a line from Artesia, Mississippi through Pickens County to Tuscaloosa and on the Montgomery. Leading citizens in Carrollton sought to persuade the company to bring the line through the county seat, but M&O officials chose a route through Reform and Gordo to ensure faster mail service as required by the U.S. postal service. Led by W.G. Robertson, Judge O.L. McKinstry, E.R. Calhoun and M.L. Stansel, Carrollton residents organized a corporation to build a railroad from their community to Reform to connect there with the M&O. Called the “Carrollton Short Line”, the track eventually was completed by Tuscaloosa entrepreneur John Taylor Cochrane, who brought the first train into Carrollton in 1902. The depot was on this site.
Cochrane built the line steadily southward, establishing the town of Aliceville (named for his wife, Alyce Searcy) along its route, which eventually extended to Mobile. Rechristened the Alabama, Tennessee & Northern Railroad soon after, Cochrane’s line prompted a social and economic boom for Carrollton and southwest Alabama. Vast timber

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holdings were tapped by “dummy lines” connecting to the Carrollton Short Line, creating many jobs to boost the local economy. The line operated until June 29, 1976, when the last train made its run.

Erected 2001 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1976.

Location. 33° 15.747′ N, 88° 5.466′ W. Marker is in Carrollton, Alabama, in Pickens County. It is at the intersection of Tuscaloosa Street (Alabama Route 86) and AT&N Railroad Street, on the left when traveling west on Tuscaloosa Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carrollton AL 35447, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 30, 2021

2. Carrollton Short Line Railroad Marker

of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pickens County War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pickens County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Kelly - Stone - Hill Place (approx. ¼ mile away); Aliceville First Baptist Church (approx. 9 miles away); R. J. Kirksey High School (approx. 9½ miles away); Historic Pickensville Rosenwald School (approx. 9.8 miles away); a different marker also named Aliceville First Baptist Church (approx. 9.8 miles away); Alabama, Tennessee & Northern Railroad Depot (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carrollton.

Also see . . . Carrollton Short Line Railway. (Submitted on August 2, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.