Central Rail Road and Banking Company of Georgia

The Central of Georgia Railway, formed from its predecessor, The Central Railroad and Banking Company of Georgia in 1895 was a dominant force in the economic life of Georgia and parts of Alabama through the mid-twentieth century. Through its many branch and subsidiary lines, land holding companies, and agricultural experimentation, it controlled much of the region's transportation and was a strong influence in the rural development of the area.

(Cont.) The Central Railroad and Canal Company of Georgia was the first railroad that connected Georgia's coastline to its interior. The railroad was incorporated on December 20, 1833. On December 14, 1835, the Central Railroad and Canal Company amended its charter to include railroad banking privileges and changed the company name to the Central Railroad and Banking Company of Georgia. In 1843, the line was completed and ran 191 miles from Macon, Ga. to Savannah, Ga.

(Cont.) The Civil War severely damaged the Central's operating lines. As a result, in 1865, the Central Railroad and Banking Company was placed under federal control and repairs were begun. By 1869, the company had recovered and had leased 258 miles of track from the Southwestern Railroad. In 1872, it acquired the Macon and Western Railroad which connected the Central to Atlanta, Georgia.

(Cont.) The company continued to grow during the 1880s. However, it was forced to reorganize in the early 1890s, its assets drained by Wall Street investors.

(Cont.) On January 1, 1894, the company was officially placed into receivership under the direction of Hugh M. Comer and Richard S Hayes. The newly reorganized Central of Georgia Railway Company was incorporated on October 14, 1895 and took control of most of the Central Railroad's holdings.