Near Garysburg in Northampton County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Railroad

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, May 6, 2010

1. First Railroad Marker

Inscription. The first railroad in the State was completed in 1833 from Petersburg, Va., to Blakely, on the Roanoke River, a short distance southeast.

Erected 1942 by North Carolina Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number E-32.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 36° 25.877′ N, 77° 35.333′ W. Marker is near Garysburg, North Carolina, in Northampton County. It is on U.S. 158/301 1.7 miles south of U.S. 301, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 154 US-301, Weldon NC 27890, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper 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,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Roanoke River (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilmington & Weldon RR Trestle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Conservation Pays Off (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to The Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail / Canal Trail Map (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mills at Weldon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Roanoke Canal (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Weldon Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); Weldon Railroads (approx. half a mile away).

More about this marker. The marker is on the causeway leading to the Roanoke River bridge into Weldon from Garysburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker shown.

Wide view of the First Railroad Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, May 6, 2010

2. Wide view of the First Railroad Marker

Along US-158/301 roadside with the abandoned Petersburg & Roanoke railroad right-of-way in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,475 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on May 5, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.