Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Railroad Heritage

Seaboard Air Line Railway

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022

1. Railroad Heritage Marker

Inscription. Seaboard Air Line Railway operated Athens' passenger service to Atlanta and the Northeast from its station on the corner of College and Ware St.

1892 Georgia, Carolina & Northern Railway is built and connects Charlotte, NC, Athens, and Atlanta.

1901 Georgia, Carolina & Northern Railway is merged into the Seaboard Air Line Railway

1943 The World War II era is the golden age of Seaboard Air Line passenger service in Athens, but it steadily declines after the war.

1967 Seaboard Air Line is merged to form Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.

1969 Athens passenger is discontinued.

1980 Seaboard Coast Line is merged to form CSX Railroad Freight Company.

2004 CSX continues to operate in Athens.

(captions)
(Above): Circa 1910 front view of the Seaboard Air Line Railway depot. The term "Air Line" was used by railroad companies because their tracks were usually in a straight line between towns. They advertised that their trains carried passengers and freight in the shortest and most direct route. (Inset): Circa 1910 back view of the Seaboard depot. The number of vehicles parked around the depot illustrates the importance of

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passenger trains doing this period.

(Below): World War II-era Seaboard advertisement illustrates the progression from early steam locomotive to modern diesel engine.

(Above left): 1911 Seaboard Air Line advertisement from the University of Georgia Pandora yearbook illustrating the departure times from Athens and the arrival times in Washington D.C. and New York City. (Middle): Vintage Seaboard Air Pullman passenger car ticket from D.C. to Athens. (Right): 1910 view of a railroad dining car from Georgia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 33° 57.39′ N, 83° 22.03′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. It can be reached from East Broad Street west of Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling west. Located in Dudley Park along the Athens-North Oconee River Greenway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Classic City Area

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022

2. Railroad Heritage Marker

in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Railroad Heritage (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Railroad Heritage (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Railroad Heritage (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Railroad Heritage (a few steps from this marker); Athens Gets Connected (a few steps from this marker); A Railroad is Born (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bartram (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Railroad Heritage (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.