Latta in Dillon County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Latta's Railroad Story
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 15, 2011
1. Latta's Railroad Story Marker
Inscription.
Latta's Railroad Story. . Following the War Between the States and during the Reconstruction Era southern railroads were in complete disarray. By the 1880s, through mergers and new investments, the "Golden Era of Railroads" emerged in the country and literally rolled into the Pee Dee. A section of new rails that would become the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad entered this area in 1888. At this strategic point along the railroad a depot was constructed. The nucleus of a community was planted and it grew as new inhabitants arrived, started their businesses and built their homes creating the town of Latta. , [Map included]: , Section of Latta Branch, 1915 , The town received its name from Robert J. Latta, a York, SC native, who was the railroad surveyor that laid out plans for the station. The first passenger and freight depots were constructed in 1888. That year a post office was authorized and in 1890 the town was incorporated. , [Picture included]: , Postcard depicts 20th Century Latta ACL Passenger depot , What became known as the "Latta Branch connected Latta with McColl in 1895 and passed through the towns of Mallory, Bingham, Blenheim, Dunbar and Clio. The increase in commercial activity led the following year to the construction of a new tobacco warehouse. By 1903 there were three tobacco warehouses and until the markets later shifted to Dillon and Mullins, Latta was the center of tobacco marketing and the largest in the state. , [Pictures included]: , (center) , Freight depots , (Right) , 20th Century Steam Locomotive; Latta Depot c. 1963; Caboose ,
Following the War Between the States and during the Reconstruction Era southern railroads were in complete disarray. By the 1880s, through mergers and new investments, the "Golden Era of Railroads" emerged in the country and literally rolled into the Pee Dee. A section of new rails that would become the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad entered this area in 1888. At this strategic point along the railroad a depot was constructed. The nucleus of a community was planted and it grew as new inhabitants arrived, started their businesses and built their homes creating the town of Latta. [Map included]:
Section of Latta Branch, 1915
The town received its name from Robert J. Latta, a York, SC native, who was the railroad surveyor that laid out plans for the station. The first passenger and freight depots were constructed in 1888. That year a post office was authorized and in 1890 the town was incorporated. [Picture included]:
Postcard depicts 20th Century Latta ACL Passenger depot
What became known as the "Latta Branch connected Latta with McColl in 1895 and passed through the towns of Mallory, Bingham, Blenheim, Dunbar and Clio. The increase in commercial activity led the following year to the construction of a new tobacco warehouse. By 1903 there were three tobacco warehouses and until the markets
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later shifted to Dillon and Mullins, Latta was the center of tobacco marketing and the largest in the state. [Pictures included]: (center) Freight depots (Right) 20th Century Steam Locomotive; Latta Depot c. 1963; Caboose
Location. 34° 20.294′ N, 79° 26.099′ W. Marker is in Latta, South Carolina, in Dillon County. Marker is on Edwards Street near South Marion Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Latta SC 29565, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Section of Latta Branch, 1915 and Postcard depicts 20th Century Latta ACL Passenger depot
Photographed By Latta's Railroad Story Marker, `
3. Freight depots
Photographed By Latta's Railroad Story Marker, `
4. 20th Century Steam Locomotive; Latta Depot c. 1963; Caboose Shown before restoration
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 15, 2011
5. Latta's Railroad Story Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 15, 2011
6. Latta's Railroad Story Marker and Atlantic Coast Lines Caboose
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 15, 2011
7. Atlantic Coast Lines Caboose:
To symbolize its connection to its railroad history the town of Latta leased this caboose from Lafon and Cindy LeGette. It has been restored with the assistance from the community and today is a constant reminder of its railroad past .
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 922 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 21, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.