Railroad Heritage

Railroad Heritage. Central of Georgia Railway. Central of Georgia Railway station and yard was located on the corner of Thomas and Mitchell St. It was destroyed by fire in 1980., 1835 Central of Georgia Railroad begins construction in Savannah., 1889 Macon and Northern Railroad completes 102-mile line from Macon to Athens., 1895 Central of Georgia Railroad is reorganized as the Central of Georgia Railway and purchases the Macon and Northern Railroad., 1963 Southern Railway purchases Central of Georgia stock. Athens line continues operating under the Central of Georgia name., 1970s Athens Central of Georgia line is discontinued., 1980 Athens' Central of Georgia depot is destroyed by fire., (captions) , (Above): 1977 painting of Central of Georgia Railway Station. (Right): 1931 Central of Georgia passenger ticket from Athens to Bishop shown with vintage conductor's ticket punch. Bishop was a stop on the Central of Georgia passenger line between Athens and Macon. Painting by Ron Evans., (Right): 1850s Central of Georgia 50 dollar note., Below): 1932 Central of Georgia Railway map with connecting lines., Railroads were the economic engines for most towns in the South following the Civil War until World War II. However, they were also a source of danger as illustrated by this early 1900s "stop, Look and Listen" railroad crossing sign and Central of Georgia safety card which notes the number of killed and injured., (Left): Portrait of Howell Cobb, famous 19th century Georgia governor, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Speaker of the House and Confederate General from Athens. (Above): 1866 freight all for bacon and beer sent to Howell Cobb via the Milledgeville and Eatonton Railroad - a branch line of the Central of Georgia railway., 1932 timetable with unique full-band graphic showing routes. Athens connection is displayed on the thumb.