In the mid 1800's through the early 1900's, a line ran from ACL lines at Cowarts, Houston County (then Henry Co.), Alabama through Cottonwood, Al. and on to Bascom, Fl. The train delivered mail (and who knows what else) between these towns. I have a 1937 Houston Co. map showing the route and personally know of the route through C'wood. No one remembers any particulars about it and no pictures are available to my knowledge. Family members can only tell about my great-grandfather picking up the mail from the train and hauling it in a wheelbarrow to the post office in Cottonwood. There were also several logging railroads in the Al/Fl border area south of Cottonwood that are mysterious. Would really like some history (and/or)pictures on these, particularly the Cowarts to Bascom run.

-- Rickey Owens (Rowens178@aol.com), July 17, 2001

Answers

In Bill Edson's book, RAILROAD NAMES, the first operator of the line of railroad from Cowarts, Ala., south, is given as E. L. MARBURY LUMBER CO.'s R.R. This was sold in November 1910 to the ALABAMA, FLORIDA & SOUTHERN R.R., which, in October 1917 became the ALABAMA, FLORIDA & GULF R.R. AF&G lasted until August 1937 when it became the ALABAMA & FLORIDA R.R. A&F was abandoned in December 1941.

There was a book published a couple of years ago on Alabama logging railroads. You could search http://www.abebooks.com for a copy or go to the main library in Dothan and see if they have a copy. While at the library, check their verticle files for reference and photos of this railroad. Another source would be any Houston County Historical Society. Ask at the library or Dothan Chamber of Commerce for a lead to such a society. There may be a society member who has researched this railroad.

-- Tom Underwood (tlunder@attglobal.net), July 17, 2001.

Do you have the book "Railroads of Alabama". It may answer all your questions.

-- Buck Dean (bdean@jngray.com), July 17, 2001.