Auburn in Lee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Crescent
Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 4, 2016
1. The Crescent Marker (Front)
Front
The Crescent was an exclusive train of Southern Railway (SR) and Alabama affiliates Western Railway of Alabama (WRA), Atlanta & West Point Railway (AWPR), and Louisville & Nashville Railway (LNR). Excepting SR, these lines provided passenger service to Auburn and its college. In 1925, these trains, collectively named the Crescent Limited, ran between Washington, DC, and New Orleans. SR covered Washington to Atlanta, AWPR and WRA served Atlanta to Montgomery and LNR ran from Montgomery to New Orleans. These locomotives hauled 12 to 15 passenger cars, about 700-1000 tons, at 80 mph, with averages of 50 to 60 mph. Engines used 14,000 gallons of water during the 150 miles between stops while 16 tons of coal fueled the distance.
Reverse
The Atlanta & West Point Railway engine, No. 290, a 4-6-2 heavy Pacific engine that traveled from Atlanta to Montgomery, is housed in the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA. Its Southern Railway sister engine, No. 1401, is in the Smithsonian.
this page online
Erected 2016 by the Auburn Heritage Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1970.
Location. 32° 36.619′ N, 85° 28.802′ W. Marker is in Auburn, Alabama, in Lee County. It is at the intersection of Mitcham Avenue and North Gay Street, on the right when traveling east on Mitcham Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 Mitcham Avenue, Auburn AL 36830, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and in Greater Columbus. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, 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: The Auburn Guards (within shouting distance of this marker); The Auburn Guards Reviewed by Jefferson Davis
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 30, 2016
2. The Crescent Marker (reverse)
Another marker is no longer nearby. Toomers Corner And The Bank Of Auburn (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. The Auburn Plainsman news about the dedication of the marker. (Submitted on September 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. The Southern Crescent - A History of Great Service. (Submitted on September 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 30, 2016
3. The Auburn Train Depot (1904)
Additional commentary.
1. The Crescent became the Southern Crescent in 1970 and continued its run until 1979.
In 1970 the Southern Railway renamed the train and operated it exclusively on its lines via Birmingham, bypassing Auburn. But it ran only three days a week. It was one of only two passenger trains that Amtrak did not take over in 1971 (the other being the Rio Grande Zephyr). The Southern continued Southern Crescents first class amenities until they turned it over to Amtrak in 1979. I rode the Southern Crescent from Washington to New Orleans in 1973 in a roomette and I recall service was still impeccable, meals were delicious, and it arrived on time.
— Submitted December 9, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Additional keywords. The Crescent
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 30, 2016
4. Track side of the Auburn depot.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 30, 2016
5. View of marker looking east on Mitcham Avenue towards Gay Street.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 30, 2016
6. View of marker looking towards Gay Street along the rail road tracks.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,381 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
