Railroads opened Florida to new industry, expanded the tourist economy, and allowed for rapid development of residential and commercial areas.
The first rail development authorized in Florida was the Tallahassee–St. Marks line, chartered in 1834. The first train to operate, however, was the Lake Wimico line that connected the boomtown of St. Joseph to the Apalachicola River in 1836.
The Tallahassee–St. Marks train, which was initially mule–drawn, connected the highly productive cotton fields of Leon and Jefferson counties with the port city of St. Marks. These early efforts only hinted at the profound impact that railroads, passenger lines, and freight trains would have on Florida's history.
Image number: PC2030
Image number: N046662
Looking East from Ingless cotton gin toward the Ingless home in the back center.
Image number: HA00076
Image number: RC10646
Trolleys were usually lighter than trains and ran on tracks built into city streets.
Image number: RC08644
Image number: PR02655
With state support, railroad developers began piece-meal projects to link East and West Florida. Senator David L. Yulee became the president of the Florida Railroad, completed in 1860, that connected the port cities of Fernandina on the northeast coast and Cedar Key on the Gulf.
The Civil War disrupted the railway system. Union attacks destroyed sections of the Florida railroad. Florida's Confederate government temporarily removed tracks in other locations to prevent Union forces from using the railroads. The Confederate government also took the iron rails from existing railways to make new railroads to transport troops and supplies.
During the 1880s, Henry Flagler expanded train lines through Jacksonville and down the East coast. Henry Plant expanded train lines to Tampa and the West coast. Railroads connected Florida's developing industrial centers, luxury destinations, agricultural sectors and growing communities.
Image number: PR13139
Image number: RC02773
Geronimo is on the front row, third from the right.
Image number: RC11103
The logs floated to the Skinner Manufacturing Company mill.
Image number: N048843
The Moore Haven and Clewiston Railway (M.H. & C. Ry) was acquired by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company (ACL) on July 1, 1925.
Image number: FP82435a
Image number: PR00824
Image number: N038597
Left to right: Victor Hutchins, conductor; Athon Hicks, fireman; Ivan Leonard, Engineer for Gulf, Florida and Alabama Railway Company, E.W. Shaw, Engine 8's engineer; Louise Leonard, station agent.
Falco was the end of the 26-mile line of the Gulf, Florida, and Alabama Railroad Company between Galliver, Florida and Falco, Alabama. Engine 8 was used for the Gulf, Florida, and Alabama Railroad Company and Louisville and Nashville's Pensacola and Atlantic Division line.
