Cheraw and Darlington Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Cheraw and Darlington Railroad was a shortline railroad that served South Carolina and, later, North Carolina, beginning before the American Civil War
.
The Cheraw and Darlington was chartered in 1849 and began operations in 1853, initially serving the area between Cheraw, South Carolina
, and Darlington, South Carolina
.
Like many Southern lines, the Cheraw and Darlington Railroad suffered during the War Between the States. In the waning days of the conflict, a considerable portion of the carrier's infrastructure was ordered destroyed by invading Union forces. Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman sent a mounted infantry force to Florence, South Carolina
, to level the depots, trestle-work, bridges, and public buildings and stores.
In the course of the action, which took place in March 1865, 500 yards of trestle work, two depots, 11 freight and four passenger cars were destroyed, along with a considerable amount of supplies. However, the Confederate cavalry and infantry was able to stop the Union cavalry from completing some of this mission.
By 1867, the Cheraw and Darlington was running again, going from Cheraw to Florence and back daily.
As of 1887, the line had four locomotives, three passenger cars and 29 freight cars.
The Cheraw and Darlington acquired the Cheraw and Salisbury Railroad
, in 1892 for $90,000. With the purchase came an extension north to Wadesboro, North Carolina.
The Cheraw and Darlington Railroad was acquired by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
in 1898.
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad existed between 1898 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad
to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
. After several more mergers and consolidations, it is now part of CSX Transportation
.
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
.
The Cheraw and Darlington was chartered in 1849 and began operations in 1853, initially serving the area between Cheraw, South Carolina
Cheraw, South Carolina
Cheraw is a town on the Pee Dee River in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,524 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 9,069. It has been nicknamed "The Prettiest Town in Dixie." The harbor tub USS Cheraw was named in the...
, and Darlington, South Carolina
Darlington, South Carolina
Darlington is a city in and the county seat of Darlington County, in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a center for tobacco farming. The population was 6,720 at the 2000 census and is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Like many Southern lines, the Cheraw and Darlington Railroad suffered during the War Between the States. In the waning days of the conflict, a considerable portion of the carrier's infrastructure was ordered destroyed by invading Union forces. Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman sent a mounted infantry force to Florence, South Carolina
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
, to level the depots, trestle-work, bridges, and public buildings and stores.
In the course of the action, which took place in March 1865, 500 yards of trestle work, two depots, 11 freight and four passenger cars were destroyed, along with a considerable amount of supplies. However, the Confederate cavalry and infantry was able to stop the Union cavalry from completing some of this mission.
By 1867, the Cheraw and Darlington was running again, going from Cheraw to Florence and back daily.
As of 1887, the line had four locomotives, three passenger cars and 29 freight cars.
The Cheraw and Darlington acquired the Cheraw and Salisbury Railroad
Cheraw and Salisbury Railroad
The Cheraw and Salisburg Railroad was a shortline railroad that ran between Cheraw, South Carolina, and Wadesboro, North Carolina.The Cheraw and Salisbury Company was originally incorporated by special charter in 1857 as the Cheraw and Coalfields Railroad...
, in 1892 for $90,000. With the purchase came an extension north to Wadesboro, North Carolina.
The Cheraw and Darlington Railroad was acquired by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was an American railroad that existed between 1900 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad...
in 1898.
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad existed between 1898 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad whose corporate existence extended from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line...
to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad was a former Class I railroad company operating in the Southeastern United States beginning in 1967. Its passenger operations were taken over by Amtrak in 1971...
. After several more mergers and consolidations, it is now part of CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
.