Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Railroad Heritage
Gainesville Midland Railway
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022
1. Railroad Heritage Marker
1904 The Gainesville Midland Railway (GM) is chartered and purchases the Gainesville Jefferson & Southern Railroad.
1906 GM constructs an extension south from Jefferson to a connection with Seaboard Air Line Railway (SAL) two miles west of Athens at Fowler Junction. From that point, Gainesville Midland trains continued to Athens through a trackage rights agreement with SAL.
1959 GM's 40-mile line from Gainesville to Athens is sold to SAL.
2004 SAL continues to operate in Athens under CSX.
(captions)
(Above): Seaboard Air Line Railway and Gainesville Midland Railway shared this terminal station on the corner of Foundry and Broad St. It was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the back part of the Banner-Herald News building. (Inset): 1956 Photo of Gainesville Midland steam locomotive 209 and caboose debating the Athens train yard. This locomotive was built by Baldwin in 1930.
(Below): Current photo of steam locomotive and coal car on display in downtown Gainesville, GA.
1929 Gainesville Miland timetable showing arrival and departure times, as well as Athens connections
this page online
(Top): 1916 photo of Gainesville Midland's Baldwin steam locomotive, engineer and fireman. (Bottom): 1955 map showing Gainesville Midland main line connecting Athens and Gainesville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 33° 57.388′ N, 83° 22.033′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. Marker can be reached from East Broad Street east of Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling east. 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.
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 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022
2. Railroad Heritage Marker
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 128 times since then and 55 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.
