Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad was a railroad line that served a 75-miles stretch between Columbia
, and Laurens
.
In 1885, the South Carolina General Assembly issued a charter for the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad, and the line was officially christened on Christmas Day 1885. In 1890, work began on the track and by July 1891, the line was complete from Columbia through Newberry
to Dover Junction, nearly 65 miles north of the state capital.
In 1896, the Laurens Railroad
was purchased from the Richmond and Danville Railroad
to complete the line to Laurens.
The first locomotive of the CN&L was built in 1887 and sold in 1922. The CN&L ran daily passenger trains that originated from Union Station in Columbia, and traveled up the line to Laurens. These trains were always pulled by steam, until the service was discontinued in 1952.
Not surprisingly, the railroad saw to the creation of towns along its line. Towns such as Irmo
, Chapin
, Little Mountain
, Prosperity
and Joanna
all owe their existence in part to their locations along the CN&L.
In 1924, the Atlantic Coast Line acquired control of the line.
The Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad was formerly merged into CSX Transportation
in 1984.
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, and Laurens
Laurens, South Carolina
Laurens is a city in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 9,916 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:...
.
In 1885, the South Carolina General Assembly issued a charter for the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad, and the line was officially christened on Christmas Day 1885. In 1890, work began on the track and by July 1891, the line was complete from Columbia through Newberry
Newberry, South Carolina
Newberry is a city in Newberry County, South Carolina, 43 miles west -northwest of Columbia. The charter was adopted in 1894. In 1890, 3,020 people lived in Newberry, South Carolina; in 1900, 4,607; in 1910, 5,028; and in 1940, 7,510. The population was 10,580 at the 2000 census. It is the county...
to Dover Junction, nearly 65 miles north of the state capital.
In 1896, the Laurens Railroad
Laurens Railroad
The Laurens Railroad was a shortline railroad that served the South Carolina Upstate region before, during and after the American Civil War.The line was started in 1854.By 1861, the 32-mile line was carrying 8,500 passengers a day....
was purchased from the Richmond and Danville Railroad
Richmond and Danville Railroad
The Richmond and Danville Railroad was chartered in Virginia in the United States in 1847. The portion between Richmond and Danville, Virginia was completed in 1856...
to complete the line to Laurens.
The first locomotive of the CN&L was built in 1887 and sold in 1922. The CN&L ran daily passenger trains that originated from Union Station in Columbia, and traveled up the line to Laurens. These trains were always pulled by steam, until the service was discontinued in 1952.
Not surprisingly, the railroad saw to the creation of towns along its line. Towns such as Irmo
Irmo, South Carolina
Irmo is a town in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina and a suburb of Columbia. It is 12 miles outside of the city center of Columbia and is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Chapin
Chapin, South Carolina
Chapin, also known as the capital of Lake Murray, is a town located in Lexington County, South Carolina. Chapin was founded by Martin Chapin in 1889. The following year, 1890, the railroad was built to connect Chapin to Columbia, South Carolina and other major regions. The population of Chapin was...
, Little Mountain
Little Mountain, South Carolina
Little Mountain is a town in Newberry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 255 at the 2000 census. The current mayor is Buddy Johnson.-Geography:Little Mountain is located at ....
, Prosperity
Prosperity, South Carolina
Prosperity is a town in Newberry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,047 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Prosperity is located at ....
and Joanna
Joanna, South Carolina
Joanna is a census-designated place in Laurens County, South Carolina, along the Bush River. The population was 1,609 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area....
all owe their existence in part to their locations along the CN&L.
In 1924, the Atlantic Coast Line acquired control of the line.
The Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad was formerly merged into 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...
in 1984.