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

Railroad Heritage

Southern Railway

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022

1. Railroad Heritage Marker

Inscription. The 1913 Southern Railway station was located at the corner of Hoyt St. and Hull St. Service to this station was discontinued in 1970.

1870 Northeastern Railroad of Georgia is chartered to build a railroad from Athens northward.

1876 39-mile section from Athens to Lula is completed, connecting with the Atlanta & Richmond Air Line railway. The A & R Air Line Railway became the Atlanta & Charlotte Air Line Railway in 1877.

1882 The Northeastern Railroad of Georgia reaches Tallulah Falls.

1894 Southern Railway is chartered.

1899 Northeastern Railroad of Georgia and the Atlanta & Charlotte Air Line Railway are consolidated into the Southern Railway.

1982 The Southern Railway and the Norfolk & Western merge to create the Norfolk Southern Railway.

2004 The Norfolk Southern Railway continues to operate in Athens.

(captions)
Above): A crowd gathered at the depot in 1927 to greet the Georgia Bulldogs football team returning from Yale following a 14-0 victory. The station was closed by Southern Railway in 1970 and was restored in 1990. (Right): Today, it is the headquarters of the Athens Community Council on Aging.
1927 photograpgh courtesy of Athens Newspapers, Inc.

1943 ad comparing a new SR diesel engine with the first 1830

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locomotive.

Vintage Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Stock Certificate and 1877 Atlanta & Charlotte Railroad map showing the connection at Lula with the Northeastern Railroad of Georgia.

1878 Northeastern Railroad of GA freight bill - Athens to Harmony Grove (Commerce, GA).

1890s photo of citizens departing Athens by rail for Tallulah Falls, GA.

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

Location. 33° 57.387′ N, 83° 22.034′ 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 (a few steps from 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

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022

2. Railroad Heritage Marker

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.

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 95 times since then and 28 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.